So many people visit Maui for its beaches, but the island is also home to a massive dormant volcano that is sure to satisfy hikers and nature lovers alike. In fact, if you measure from the ocean floor, Haleakalā is one of the tallest mountains on earth.
Despite being one of the smallest US national parks, Haleakalā is full of diversity. The elevation of the park ranges from over 10,000 feet to sea level, and the higher and lower areas feel like different worlds. At the top, there is a dormant volcanic summit with barren landscapes that will remind you of Mars. At sea level, there is an abundance of lush greenery, waterfalls and warm, humid air.
Haleakalā National Park is located on the island of Maui, and it’s one of the two US national parks located in Hawaii. It’s famous for its sunrises, and for the unique differences between the higher and lower elevations within the park.
This guide will cover all of the best things to do in Haleakalā National Park, including tips on where to stay, when to visit and more. It’s based on my experience visiting Haleakalā National Park in January 2026.
Things To Know Before Visiting Haleakalā National Park
The Districts of Haleakalā
Before you go, it’s important to understand a bit about the layout of the park. Haleakalā National Park is divided between two distinct districts: The Kīpahulu District and the Summit District. It takes several hours to drive between the two districts, so I recommend visiting them on separate days.
The Kīpahulu District is located on the coast. You’ll find it 10 miles past the town of Hana on the famous Road to Hana. You can reach it either by driving the Road to Hana, or from the Pi’ilani Highway (known as the “backside” route to Hana). The Pi’ilani Highway is only partially paved, and is often single-lane. Many rental companies do not allow their cars to be driven on this road, so I recommend avoiding it unless you know exactly what you’re getting into.
You can reach the Summit District by driving through Maui Upcountry. The road to the top leaves from the town of Kula.
More Tips for Visiting Haleakalā National Park
- It is very important to leave no trace when you visit Haleakalā. That includes packing out your trash, not approaching wildlife and carefully following the rules in place for campfires.
- Haleakalā charges a fee to enter. It is $30 per private vehicle and is good for 3 days. If you’ll be visiting multiple national parks over the course of a year, you’ll probably save money by purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass.
- The Guide Along audio tour for Maui is a great thing to listen to while you drive around the park! They share history, tips and more as you drive around.
- The roads to reach both districts of Haleakalā are very curvy. If you’re prone to carsickness, plan accordingly.
- A reservation is required to enter the park between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. for sunrise. Reservations go on sale 60 days in advance, and another portion goes on sale 2 days in advance. Be ready to snag your reservations, as they often sell out quickly.
When to Visit Haleakalā National Park
This park is beautiful to visit year round. However, summer in Maui can be very hot and humid. If you’re like me and want to enjoy a couple of hikes in Haleakalā, I recommend visiting in the winter so that it is a little bit cooler for hiking.
Where to Stay for Haleakalā National Park
Camping in Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park has designated campgrounds in both districts of the park. You can choose between the Hosmer Grove Campground or the Kīpahulu Campground. Spots are limited, so make sure to book in advance.
There are also some wilderness cabins that you have to hike to. Reservations for the cabins are available 6 months in advance.
Where to Stay near Haleakalā National Park
If you’re not camping, but want to be as close as possible to the park, I recommend staying at different places during your visit.
For the Kīpahulu District, spend at least one night in Hana. It is a 30 minute drive from the Kīpahulu District.
Hana is a small town with a population of less than 2,000, so there are not many places to stay, but I think it’s worth it to give yourself extra time driving the Road to Hana and an early start in the Kīpahulu District of the park.
I stayed at Heavenly Hana Paradise and would definitely recommend it. It’s a cozy home stay that includes a kitchen, a beautiful outdoor seating area, snacks, friendly kitties outside, and more. Plus, it’s located right on the edge of town.
Other places to stay in Hana include the Hana-Maui Resort and Hana Kai Maui.
For the summit district of the park, I stayed in Maui Upcountry. It helps a lot to stay close to the park if you’ll be waking up early for sunrise!
There are not big chain hotels in this area, but there are some b&b’s and home stays. I stayed at this peaceful guesthouse. It was a great stay and they even provided us vegan breakfast treats each morning.
Other places to stay nearby include Banyan Tree Bed and Breakfast and God's Peace of Maui Bed & Breakfast.
The Best Things To Do in Haleakalā National Park
Here are the best things to do in Haleakala National Park, divided between the two separate park units.
Things To Do in the Kīpahulu District
Hike to Waimoku Falls via the Pipiwai Trail
If you enjoy hiking, this is one of the best hikes in Haleakalā National Park! Waimoku Falls is about 400 feet high, and cascades down a tall cliff.
To reach this striking waterfall, you’ll hike along the Pipiwai Trail. This trail is known for its dense bamboo forest. At one point, you’ll be hiking through a tunnel of tall bamboo stalks on both sides of the trail.
Along with the bamboo, there are multiple waterfalls along the way, and a HUGE banyan tree whose branches fan out across a large area.
The trail is 3.5 miles round trip and has about 850 feet of elevation gain. Between the bamboo, the waterfalls, and other plants, there is a lot to see along the way. The trail can get a little muddy at times, so it’s best to wear sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
At the very end of the trail, a short river crossing may be necessary to get to the end of the trail. However, you can’t get very close to the waterfall due to safety reasons, so feel free to skip the extra 20ish feet if you don’t want to get your feet wet.
Overall, I thought this was an incredible hike to include on your Haleakalā itinerary!
Hike the Seven Sacred Pools Trail (also known as'Ohe'o Gulch)
The Seven Sacred Pools Trail is a half mile loop that showcases pools of water surrounded by rocky walls. The pools are fed by small waterfalls cascading down the smooth rocks.
This loop also has a nice view of the coast, as the pools empty into the sea. You could formerly swim here, but it is no longer allowed due to safety reasons.
This is a quick and easy trail that makes a nice add-on to the Pipiwai Trail, or is a great alternative if you’re looking for something quick to stretch your legs.
Stop by the Kīpahulu Visitor Center
There is a small visitor center in the Kīpahulu District, and it’s worth a quick stop. There is a gift shop, informational displays and rangers that can offer advice. Plus, the bathrooms here are open 24/7.
Things To Do in the Summit District
Watch the Sunrise
Watching the sunrise from the summit district in Haleakala National Park is one of the best things to do in Maui! With an elevation that peaks at over 10,000 feet above sea level, there are incredible views from the summit. Not only can you see for miles on a clear day, but it’s fascinating to see the huge craters from a dormant volcano.
A reservation is needed to enter the park at sunrise. You can make your reservation on recreation.gov, and they go on sale 60 days in advance on a rolling basis. You’ll want to be logged on and ready, as they go fast. They become available at 7 a.m. HST.
Additional reservations also go on sale 2 days in advance.
With your reservation, you’ll be able to enter the park between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. I recommend entering at least 90 minutes before the sun rises to snag a parking spot.
The parking lot for Red Hill, which is the highest point of the park, fills up very quickly. Instead, I recommend parking at the Haleakalā Visitor Center, which is also the trailhead for a few hikes.
I recommend hiking up to the Pā Kaʻoao Lookout from the visitor center lot, which is less than a half mile round trip. There will be a few less people watching the sunrise on this hill, as opposed to right next to the parking lot, since it involves a little effort.
Tip: Bring a headlamp if you plan to hike up the Pā Kaʻoao Lookout.
It’s also important to know that sunrise at Haleakalā can be very cold. Like I mentioned, the area sits at a high elevation, and high winds are common. Make sure to pack warm clothing so you can actually enjoy the experience. It’s good to have a windbreaker, gloves, a hat and warm layers.
Watch the Sunset
If you don’t want to make a reservation, or you’re not a morning person, the sunset might be a great alternative for you. Just like the sunrise, the panoramic views at the top of the Haleakalā Summit District make for an incredible place to watch the sun go down.
Sunset has become very popular in recent years, so the park recommends arriving at least 3 hours before sunset during the busy season. When the capacity is reached, they will turn vehicles away at the gate.
Go Hiking the Haleakalā Summit District
The Summit District of Haleakalā has some long hiking trails that will take you down into the crater, plus a few shorter trail options.
The Sliding Sands Trail
I really enjoyed hiking a portion of the Sliding Sands Trail. This hike takes you down into the volcanic crater and has many opportunities to admire colorful sands and unique plant life along the way.
As you begin the Sliding Sands Trail, you’ll be hiking downhill, and will have to climb up to get back to your car. There is very little shade, so this can be quite strenuous, especially on a warm day. The nice thing is that you can go for as long as you feel like it, and enjoy amazing views no matter how far you hike!
I hiked 6.6 miles round trip, which meant I had to climb 1,755 feet up to get back to the trailhead. I turned around a viewpoint right before the trail flattened out for a while, and felt that it made for a perfect day hike.
Not only were the views amazing, but I loved seeing the silversword plants, which are only found on Maui and the Big Island. This unique plant lives between 3 and 90 years, and it flowers once, and dies soon after. I also saw several Chukar birds.
Halemau'u Haleakala Overlook Trail
The Halemau'u Haleakala Overlook Trail is another long trail in the summit district that leads you down into the crater. One way that it's different from the Sliding Sands Trail is that the trail has a lot of lush greenery.
If you have two cars (or are willing to catch a ride), you can combine both this trail and the Sliding Sands Trail in one direction. This means you’ll start at one parking lot, and end at another.
Hosmer Grove Trail
The Hosmer Grove trail is a quick and easy hike that leaves from the Hosmer Grove Campground. On this half mile loop, you’ll get to see native shrubland and a landscape that has been shaped by tree harvesting and ranching. It’s a shady loop that is great for seeing birds.
Overlooks in the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park
Puʻuʻulaʻula (or Red Hill)
Make sure to stop at the highest point in the park, which sits at 10,023 feet. At Puʻuʻulaʻula, there is a Summit Observation Deck with some signage about the park and what you can see. On a clear day, it’s easy to see the Big Island of Hawaii from here.
Right next to Puʻuʻulaʻula, you’ll see a few observatories that are used for research. Unfortunately, they aren’t open to the public.
Pā Kaʻoao Lookout (or White Hill)
The Pā Kaʻoao Lookout involves a short trail that leaves from the Haleakalā Visitor Center. To reach the top, it’s a half mile round trip with a short climb. This is where I recommend that you watch the sunrise. If you don’t make it for sunrise, this short trail offers incredible views of the colorful volcanic landscape, and is worth the climb.
Kalahaku Overlook
The Kalahaku Overlook is a quick stop that offers a great view of the Haleakala crater. There is a simple structure here with signage. To reach the view, it’s a 0.1 mile walk that includes steps.
Leleiwi Overlook
The Leleiwi Overlook involves a 0.3 mile walk to reach it. It provides another perspective looking down into the massive crater.
Visit the Summit District Visitor Centers
There are two separate visitor centers in the summit district - the Headquarters Visitor Center and the Haleakala Visitor Center. Both are great places to stop for a souvenir, restrooms, advice from a ranger, and more.
More Things To Do Nearby Haleakala National Park
Here are some other epic things to do near Haleakalā National Park.
Take a downhill bike tour
If the thought of biking on the steep road in the summit district of Haleakalā National Parks sounds exciting to you, there are options for this. If you don’t have a bike, you can take a guided tour. The bike staging area begins right outside of the national park at an elevation of 6,500 feet. From there, you’ll be cruising down the road with panoramic views. Keep in mind that you’ll be sharing the road with cars.
Visit Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm
The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is located very close to the summit district of Haleakala. It has the feel of a botanical garden and you can walk around their grounds. During your stroll, you’ll see all kinds of stunning plantlife, including some small fields of lavender. Plus, the farm sits at about 4,000 feet, and you’ll have amazing views looking down at the Maui coast.
Along with admiring the plantlife, stop by their cafe and shop for tons of items made with lavender, including soaps, jams, and essential oils. They’re famous for their lavender scones, and I enjoyed mine with lilikoi honey and a lavender lemonade.
It costs $5 per person to explore the grounds, and I certainly felt that it was worth a visit.
Take a Tour of O'o Farm
O’o Farm is located super close to Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm and offers a unique farm experience. They not only grow coffee beans, but they focus on regenerative farming and grow vegetables, edible flowers and fruit.
O’o Farm offers a Seed to Cup Coffee and Brunch Tour, and a farm to table lunch tour. You’ll get to enjoy food made from ingredients harvested from their farm, and can even BYOB.
I really wanted to go here, but they only offer tours Monday-Friday, and that didn’t work with my schedule. It looks like an incredible experience!
The Road to Hana
The Kīpahulu District of Haleakala is located at the end of the Road to Hana, so you’ll want to make other stops along the road on your way. The road is 64 miles long and includes seemingly endless curves and hairpins curves. There are tons of waterfalls, ocean views and other beautiful sights along the way.
Besides the Kīpahulu District in Haleakala National Park, my favorite stops on the Road to Hana were the Ke’anae Arboretum, Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread, the Ke’anae Peninsula and Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach (a timed reservation is required here).
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing visit to Haleakalā National Park. Whether you’re planning a dedicated trip to visit Haleakalā, or taking a short break from your Maui beach vacation, Haleakalā is very much worth including in your Maui itinerary. From the bamboo tunnels to the waterfalls to the colorful volcanic sands, the diversity in this park will leave you amazed.
For more Hawaii Travel Guides, check out these blogs:
- An Epic Maui Itinerary
- The Best Things To Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- An Adventurous 4 Day Kauai Itinerary
Thanks for Reading!
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