18 Epic Things To Do In Haleakala National Park

Haleakala is a unique and beautiful National Park located on Maui, Hawaii. Visiting Haleakala National Park is one of the best things to do in Maui.

• What are the best things to do in Haleakala National Park? Hike, watch the sunset, take a bike ride, and so much more! Read on to see more things to do in Haleakala National Park.
• How long do you spend at Haleakala National Park? 2 days minimum 3 or 4 would be great.
• Is Haleakala National Park worth visiting? YES!

Haleakala National Park is divided into 2 sections. The sections are The Kīpahulu District and the Summit District. They are far enough apart that I do not recommend you visit both in one day. By attempting to do so you will miss out on enjoying and actually experiencing the very different environments these parks represent.

Both entrances will require a fee. The fee is $30 and is good for 3 days, so if you plan on visiting both sites (and you should) then save your receipt to use again. If you are planning on visiting any more National Parks this year, I highly recommend purchasing an America The Beautiful Pass. It is $80 and is good at all NPS sites for one year.

Haleakala National Park: Kīpahulu District

Before you head out for Haleakala National Park be sure to download the GyPsy guide onto your phone. This incredible audio tour will narrate your entire drive to Haleakala, even when you lose service! You’ll get turn-by-turn directions, but also you’ll learn the history and importance of places you pass. There is a GyPsy guide for Haleakala National Park, but there is also one for Maui in general that includes the park, the road to Hana and so much more!

Things to do in Haleakala National Park- Kipahulu District

Drive the Road to Hana

Driving the Road to Hana is a must-do activity while visiting Maui. The good news is, that driving the Road to Hana will lead you right to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park.

Watch the Sunrise

Watching the sunrise from the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park is a wonderful way to start the day. Unlike the Crater District, you do not need reservations to watch the sunrise in the Kipahulu District.

Start at the Kipahulu visitor center, and then head out on the Kūloa Point Trail, after a short walk, you’ll be overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this great view is a wonderful place to catch a Haleakala Sunrise.

Hike the Pīpīwai Trail

This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Haleakala National Park. The hike is 4 miles R/T and rated moderately strenuous.

This hike takes you through a bamboo forest and to 2 waterfalls. Waimoku Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Maui.

You will want to arrive at the park entrance early enough to complete this hike. We arrived at 3:45 and the National Park Service workers wouldn’t let us start it. The gates close at 5.

Walk along Kūloa Point Trail

This trail is half a mile and starts from the Kipahulu visitor center. During this hike (walk) you’ll pass a Hawaiian Cultural Demonstration area. You will end up at Kūloa Point which is a breathtakingly gorgeous view of the ocean and back to the Pools of Ohe’o. This short trail is a loop so you will continue on back to the visitors center. It’s a very easy walk, and you can see a lot of native plants here.

Visit the Seven Sacred Pools

These are called the Pools of Ohe’o, or the Seven Sacred Pools. These are a series of swimming holes, waterfalls, and ledges you can swim in and explore. Be wary of signage and closures. The NPS will close these pools when conditions are dangerous. Follow the rules, so these natural beauties can be explored and enjoyed for years to come.

Visit Alele Falls

To see Alele Falls you will want to stay on the Road to Hana 3 miles past the Kipahulu park entrance. You’ll cross a bridge, and then be on the lookout for a left turn that leads to a beach. Follow along the creek on foot until you get to Alele Falls. It is a short trail.

Go Camping

You can camp in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. You will need to make reservations far in advance through recreation.gov to camp at the Kipahulu Campground.

Drive the Pilani Highway

You may know this road as the “back road to Hana”. This is a very scenic drive, but you need to have the right expectations. The road is narrow, bumpy, and curvy. Some car rental companies prohibit their rental from being driven on Pilani Highway, so be sure and check with them before you explore Haleakala National Park from this vantage point.

Haleakala National Park: Summit District

If you only have time for on park visit in Maui drive to the Summit! Trust me, this is an incredible day that you will remember forever.

The summit of Haleakala is 10,023 feet in elevation! It’s a bit harder to breathe up here. It’s typically 20-40 degrees cooler here than on the beaches. The wind blows and makes it even chillier. It is barren and extremely pretty!

Things to do in Haleakala National Park – Summit District

Drive to the Summit

The drive up to the summit is half the fun. You’ll pass cows grazing in open fields and then pine trees. You’ll see clouds and then drive through them, and then suddenly be above them. We had rain, sun, and wind. It is a windy road so drive slow, pull over if you need to and if you get car sick, sit up front!

Watch the Sunrise

Haleakala National Park is one of the most breathtaking National Parks to watch the Sunrise. It’s not as easy as it sounds though! First, you must get a permit. You can get one from Recreation.gov. They say that they are available 60 days in advance, but when we were visiting, they were released only 2 days in advance, so be sure and check as you are planning.

They open at 7 am HST and sell out quickly as only 25 per day are allowed. I was unsuccessful for 8 days in a row, even though I was logged on the minute they were made available. It’s extremely difficult to get a reservation. You could also see the sunrise by booking a sunrise-watching tour with a local company. Be sure and dress WARM if you are heading up for sunrise! It’s very cold.

Hikes in the Summit District of Haleakala National Park

Pā Ka‘oao – Start at the visitor center and walk up a rock wall .2 miles to great views of the crater. There are rock steps and a slight bit of elevation change, but there is a fantastic view of the crater from here.
Halemau‘u Trail– 1.1 miles down a rocky path to a natural land bridge
Leleiwi Overlook – mostly just a walk across a parking lot to some great views
Keonehe‘ehe‘e (Sliding Sands Trail) – The sliding sands trail is one of the most popular trails in Haleakala National park. Hike the Sliding Sands Trail to go into the crater. The first overlook is at .5 miles, and you can decide to go further or turn around from there. The total distance of the sliding sands trail is 11 miles and requires preparations to avoid altitude sickness and dehydration.

Check out the views from the Summit

Its such a great feeling to be above the clouds! Drive If it’s a clear day you’ll be treated to epic views. We saw Lanai and the Big Island! Ask the park rangers at the visitors center to help you know what you are looking at.

Watch the sunset

Unlike sunrise, you don’t need a permit for sunset. Head on up, bring some blankets and watch the sun slip below the clouds.

Stargaze from the observatories

On a clear night, you’ll have awesome stargazing opportunities. Be sure to bring a blanket! To stargaze, you’ll need to let your eyes become accustomed to the dark. You don’t want to have the light from your cell phone on, or your eyes will not adjust and you won’t see the stars as well. If you need to have a light with you, pack a red light. This allows you to see, but won’t ruin the experience for yourself or others.

You can purchase a red light like this one to help you see at night and still stargaze.

Watch for the Nene

Spotting rare wildlife is one of our favorite things to do in Haleakala National Park. The Nene is a rare Hawaiian Goose that has recently gone from “endangered” to “Vulnerable”. Mostly, because of the conservation efforts of the National Park Service. Be on the lookout for these rare birds, but don’t touch, approach, or otherwise harass them.

Hunt for Silversword

Silversword is a rare plant that grows in Haleakala National Park. Silverswords can live anywhere from 3 to 90 years. They flower one time, and then die, and scatter their seeds. We weren’t lucky enough to see one in bloom, but its fun to spot them anyway.

Go Camping at the Summit District of Haleakala National Park

You can camp at Hosmer Grove, which is a eucalyptus grove on the way to the summit of Haleakala National Park. By staying here, you won’t have to get up as early in order to watch the sunrise from the summit. It is less than 30 minutes from Hosmer Grove to the summit of Haleakala. You will need advanced reservations to camp at Hosmer Grove, and they can be made at Recreation.gov.

There are also wilderness cabins located in designated wilderness spots in Haleakala National Park. According to the National Park Service “Kapalaoa, Palikū, and Hōlua cabins are located in designated Wilderness. To reach the cabins, you must hike a minimum of 3.7 miles (5.9km) to Hōlua, 5.5 miles (8.9km) to Kapalaoa, and 9.3 miles (15km) to Palikū.” You can make reservations for a Wilderness Cabin or a Wilderness Tent Permit.

Take a bike tour

If you are feeling a bit adventurous then one of the best things to do in Haleakala National Park is to take a bike tour! You can catch a ride in the tour company’s van up to the Haleakala summit and then ride your bike down the hill! It looks steep, curvy, and way too fast for me, but most people love the experience. If you are really up for an adventure go ahead and ride up and down the road to the summit!

Important Tips for visiting Haleakala National Park

• There are no services in either area of the park, so be sure and have gas, food, and water.
• We had cell service in both parts with no issues, but this can vary based on your provider.
• Wear sturdy shoes.
• Prepare for drastic changes in weather and bring appropriate clothing.
• Bring Sunscreen
• Please leave natural resources and cultural artifacts, rocks, and structures alone.
• The park is remote. You are not close to emergency services. Be smart, follow rules, and be respectful.
• Electric cars will not make it to the summit and there are no charging stations.
• THESE AREAS ARE SACRED TO HAWAIIANS. ACT ACCORDINGLY.

History of Haleakala National Park

In 1916 Hawaii National Park was created. This included volcanoes on the big island of Hawaii and the Haleakala Crater on the island of Maui. In 1961 Haleakala was designated a separate park, and the park on the big island of Hawaii became known as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In 1969 more land, the area of Ohe’o Gulch was added to Haleakala National Park creating the 47 sq miles that it is today.

Haleakala means “house of the sun” this name is derived from a legend that tells how this special place was formed. Hawaiian legend tells of the demigod Maui, and his mother Hina. They lived on the big island, Hina was a very hard worker, but she often didn’t have enough time in the day to finish her tasks.

Maui wanted to help her so he created a strong rope out of coconut and hid atop Haleakala. When the God of the sun, La, arrived with sunrise Maui tied him to a tree. He made La promise to deliver extra sunlight every day in exchange for releasing him. That is how the Hawaiian Islands got so much sun.

Importance of Haleakala National Park

All 63 the US National Parks have been designated in an effort to preserve something special contained within park boundaries. This can be historical, plant-based, or animals that need protection. Haleakala has all 3 of these special things inside of it.

Haleakala National Park is home to more endangered species than any other park. The Ua’u is the only seabird on the protected list and spends its time here. The Nene or Hawaiian goose can also be found in this park. The silversword is a beautiful plant that lives between 7 and 10 thousand feet in the park.

There are many unique plants and animals that live in Haleakala National Park which serves as a reminder as to why it is so important to protect these special places. Always remember when visiting any parks to visit with reverence and respect. Stay on trails. Leave no trace. I can’t even believe this needs to be said, but don’t carve or draw or paint your name into trees, benches, rocks, or historic buildings. Seriously, don’t be that guy, please.

Ancient, and current Hawaiians believe Haleakala to be a sacred place. Many spiritual rituals are held here, including burials. It’s important to understand when you are visiting, that this is a sacred place, and to be respectful.

How many days do I need to Visit Haleakala National Park

2 days minimum. You won’t be able to see both districts of Haleakala National Park on the same day, so you’ll need at least 2 days to see both. If you plan a long list of things to do in Haleakala National Park, exploring more than just the visitor center and main observation points, you’ll want to schedule 3 or 4 days.

Is Haleakala Worth it?

YES! Haleakala National Park is worth every windy road, early morning, and missed beach day. Don’t skip out on this incredible Maui National Park.

The sites and feelings you will have at this special park cannot be expressed in photos and words. This list of things to do in Haleakala National Park will help you have the best experience. Definitely make time to visit here while on Maui.

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