Haleakala National Park

Haleakalā National Park, on the island of Maui, protects the vast dormant volcano that forms the eastern half of the island — a towering shield volcano whose summit rises to 10,023 feet, often above the clouds. Its enormous, colorful summit depression, a Mars-like expanse of cinder cones and lava in red, ochre and black, is one of the most otherworldly landscapes in the United States.

Haleakalā (‘House of the Sun’ in Hawaiian) is world-famous for its sunrises, when crowds gather at the summit to watch the sun break over a sea of clouds — an experience celebrated in Hawaiian tradition. The park also protects the rare silversword plant, native forest birds, and, in its separate Kīpahulu coastal district, lush rainforest, waterfalls and pools. Sacred, vast and high above the sea, Haleakalā is a treasured natural icon of Hawai‘i.

Haleakalā is famous for watching sunrise (and sunset) from the summit above the clouds, driving the winding road to the summit overlooks, and hiking into the vast volcanic ‘crater’ on trails like the Sliding Sands and Halemau‘u (an otherworldly trek, with wilderness cabins for backpackers), as well as stargazing in the clear high air. The separate Kīpahulu coastal district offers the PÄ«pÄ«wai Trail to Waimoku Falls and the Pools of ‘Ohe‘o. Watching the sunrise, hiking the crater and visiting Kīpahulu’s waterfalls are the signature draws. The combination of a high volcanic summit and a lush coast makes Haleakalā remarkable.

The park is open year-round; the summit is the draw for sunrise (which requires a reservation) and is cold, windy and clear, while the Kīpahulu coast is warm and tropical. Winter can bring storms (and rarely snow) to the summit. The summit weather is unpredictable — clear skies for sunrise aren’t guaranteed. Year-round, with a sunrise reservation, is the way to plan — come for sunrise (reserve ahead) or the less-crowded sunset, dress very warmly for the cold summit (it’s far colder than the beach), and allow a separate trip for Kīpahulu.

Haleakalā is sacred in Hawaiian tradition — ‘House of the Sun,’ where the demigod Māui is said to have lassoed the sun to lengthen the day — and remains deeply significant to Native Hawaiians. The summit was protected as part of a national park in 1916 (initially with Hawai‘i Volcanoes) and became separate Haleakalā National Park in 1961, later adding the Kīpahulu coastal district. The summit also hosts astronomical observatories. Haleakalā preserves this vast sacred volcano, its rare species and its lush coast, a treasured icon of Hawai‘i.

Haleakalā is a massive shield volcano built by countless lava flows from the Hawaiian hot spot, forming most of the island of Maui. Its famous summit ‘crater’ is not a true crater but a vast erosional depression, later partly filled by renewed eruptions that built the colorful cinder cones within it. Though long quiet, Haleakalā is only dormant, not extinct, and has erupted within the last few centuries. The hot-spot volcanism, the great erosional valley and the later cinder cones created this otherworldly summit landscape.

Haleakalā is a refuge for rare native Hawaiian wildlife — the endangered nene (Hawaiian goose), the ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel, which nests in burrows near the summit), native forest birds and honeycreepers in the forests, and the Hawaiian hoary bat — amid the volcanic summit and the lush Kīpahulu rainforest. Native species, found nowhere else, are precious and threatened by introduced predators. The park protects these rare creatures. Haleakalā offers wildlife watching of native Hawaiian species, with the nene and the rare seabirds and forest birds among the highlights.

Haleakalā protects a remarkable range of ecosystems — the high, cold volcanic summit with its rare silverswords (which bloom once spectacularly and die) and seabird burrows, the native shrubland and forest of the slopes, and the lush tropical rainforest, waterfalls and pools of the Kīpahulu coast — home to many native species found only in Hawai‘i. These isolated ecosystems are highly threatened by invasive species. Protecting the silverswords, the native birds and forests, and the rainforest sustains both the ecology and the wonder of Haleakalā.

Haleakalā National Park holds a sacred and treasured place among the icons of Hawai‘i — the vast ‘House of the Sun’ crowning Maui, world-famous for its sunrises above the clouds and its otherworldly volcanic summit, where the demigod Māui lassoed the sun in Hawaiian tradition. Deeply significant to Native Hawaiians and a refuge for rare native species, the volcano embodies the elemental and spiritual power of the islands. Haleakalā is a cherished natural and cultural icon of Hawai‘i.

Haleakalā National Park is on Maui, with two separate districts: the Summit District, reached by the long, winding Haleakalā Highway from the central Maui towns (about 1.5–2 hours to the 10,023-foot summit), and the coastal Kīpahulu District near Hāna on the island’s remote east side (reached via the Hāna Highway). An entrance fee applies, and sunrise viewing at the summit requires an advance reservation. The summit is cold; Kīpahulu is tropical. Check the National Park Service for the sunrise reservation, fees, road and weather conditions before visiting.

The National Park Service protects Haleakalā’s rare species and sacred landscape. Visitors help by staying on trails to protect the fragile silverswords and seabird burrows (never walking off-trail in the summit cinder), not disturbing the nene or wildlife, cleaning gear to prevent invasive species, respecting the sacred summit and cultural sites, packing out everything, and following all rules (including the sunrise reservation system). The rare silverswords, the native birds and the sacred land are sensitive. Protecting them sustains both the ecology and the wonder of Haleakalā.

The summit is high (over 10,000 feet) and far colder than the coast — bring warm layers, hat and gloves (sunrise can be freezing), and be aware of thin air (altitude can affect you, especially after scuba diving — don’t go to the summit soon after diving). The winding summit road and the Hāna Highway to Kīpahulu are long and demanding. In the crater, weather changes fast and trails are strenuous in thin air. At Kīpahulu, flash floods endanger the pools and trails. Respect the cold, the altitude, the winding roads, the strenuous crater hikes and the flash-flood risk.

An entrance fee applies; sunrise viewing at the summit requires an advance reservation. Stay on trails to protect silverswords and seabird burrows; do not walk off-trail in the summit. Do not disturb the nene or wildlife. Camp/backpack only with permits (wilderness cabins by reservation). Drones are prohibited. Pets are restricted. Clean gear to prevent invasive species. At Kīpahulu, heed flash-flood and pool-closure warnings. Pack out all trash. Check the National Park Service for the sunrise reservation, permits and rules before visiting.

The Maui towns of Kula and Makawao (Upcountry) below the summit, the town of Hāna and the famous Hāna Highway near Kīpahulu, the beaches and resorts of Maui, and the island’s other attractions lie near the park. The island of Maui defines the region. Haleakalā crowns Maui, a centerpiece of a Maui adventure, easily combined with the Hāna Highway, Upcountry Maui, and the island’s beaches and resorts.

For sunrise at the summit, reserve your spot in advance and arrive early — and dress very warmly (it can be near freezing at 10,000 feet, a shock after the beach). Drive the winding road carefully, consider the less-crowded sunset instead, and hike into the otherworldly crater on the Sliding Sands trail if you can (strenuous in thin air). Make a separate trip to the lush Kīpahulu coast (via the Hāna Highway) for the PÄ«pÄ«wai Trail to Waimoku Falls. Stay on trails to protect the silverswords, and heed altitude and flash-flood cautions.