A Complete Guide to Visiting Haleakalā National Park
One of the absolute must-sees during a trip to Maui is Haleakalā National Park. This park is named after the now dormant volcano, Haleakalā which means “house of sun” in Hawaiian. Legend has it that the demi-god Maui stood on the summit of Haleakala and lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky to make the day last longer. Here are some tips for your next visit to Haleakalā National Park including the Summit and Kīpahulu District.
Getting There
The best way to get to Haleakalā is by renting a car and driving to the summit. It will be about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Wailea and Kihei. Once arriving at the park, vehicles will be required to pay a $30 entrance fee and your pass will be valid for three days. Make sure to keep your park pass if you plan to visit the Kīpahulu District (more below). The drive up to the summit is full of winding roads but it’s very well paved so it will most likely be an easier drive than the Road to Hana. You will also have many scenic viewpoints along the way if you need a break and restrooms if necessary.
Sunrise or Sunset
One of the biggest questions when visiting Haleakalā National Park is whether to go at sunrise or sunset. Sunrise is arguably more popular, however this also means it’s more difficult to see. You need a separate reservation for sunrise to enter the park between 3AM to 7AM which is often sold out much in advance. If you didn’t have luck with obtaining a sunrise reservation or simply don’t want to have a 2AM wake-up call, then going to view the sunset is also a great option. We opted to go for sunset and had the whole afternoon to enjoy the viewpoints and walk along the Sliding Sands trail before witnessing the sun dip beneath the clouds in a dazzling show of colors. Afterwards, we also had the opportunity to see the spectacular night sky views at the summit. Haleakalā is an ideal place for stargazing as it has very little light pollution due to its high elevation and if you’re lucky, you might even be able to spot the Milky Way!
Things to See
If you have time, I highly recommend arriving at the park early and checking out the scenic viewpoints on your way to the summit. Some of our favorites were Hosmer Grove, Leleiwi Overlook, and the Sliding Sands Trail.
Hosmer Grove will be one of the first stops along the way and offers a short trail through through various types of trees and alpine shrubs. Walking through the canopy of trees provides a break from the sun and there are also picnic benches and bathrooms available, making it a great stop on your roadtrip from Western Maui.
Leleiwi Overlook is a must see on your way up the summit as it gives you your first glimpse of the crater. Many people simply go down the first set of stairs and turn around after not being impressed with the view, but make sure to go all the way to the end of the trail for some spectacular initial views of the other-worldly landscape of the crater.
If you only have time for one trail, I would highly recommending walking part of the Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail. The trail begins at the Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot, close to the summit. The full trail is about 11 miles long and very strenuous but I recommend walking the first mile or so if you need to be back to view the sunset. Also, note that the walk back up is expected to take double the time as the walk down due to the steep elevation gain and low oxygen levels. However, if you can make it further there are some amazing sights along this trail such as Pele’s Paint Pot, known for it’s vivid red and orange colors or the Ka Lu’u o ka O’o Cinder Cone.
Things to Pack
It is important to pack thoroughly for your trip to the park as there is no food or gas once you are inside. Also make sure to pack warm clothes such as closed-toe shoes and gloves because the summit can get extremely cold before sunrise and after sunset.
Recommended Packing List:
- Warm jacket (temperatures can reach below freezing)
- Hat and gloves
- Hiking shoes if you plan to go on any of the trails
- Layers (in contrast to the Summit, it can get quite hot walking on the Sliding Sands trail)
- Sunscreen
- Snacks / meals
- Water
- Blanket or lawn chair
- Camera
Kīpahulu District
Most people may think of the Summit District when thinking of Haleakalā National Park. However, there is more to see in the Kīpahulu District which can be accessed by driving on the Road to Hana. Make sure to keep your Haleakalā National Park pass because you will need it again to enter Pīpīwai Trail and Waimoku Falls.
Pīpīwai Trail and Waimoku Falls are an absolute must see on your trip to Maui, however they can be difficult to access. This remote area is only accessible via the Hana Highway and can be a several hour drive from western Maui. Once on the Road to Hana you’ll have to drive 12 miles past the town of Hana and arrive at the trailhead fairly early in the afternoon so you can complete your hike before the park closes at 5pm. Pīpīwai trail is a fairly easy 3.8 mile hike which goes through a bamboo forest and ends at the stunning 400-ft Waimoku falls. From this trail you can also visit the Pools of ‘Oheʻo / Seven Sacred Pools.
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