Haleakala National Park

Haleakala National Park was established on the island of Maui to preserve the Haleakala Crater.

Haleakala Crater measures 7.5 miles wide, 2.5 miles long and 3000 feet deep. There are several viewpoints all along the crater rim. Early morning is usually the best time for viewing the crater since the warm air forms clouds later in the day.

In its prime, Mt. Haleakala probably reached a height of 12,000 feet before water erosion began to carve two large river valleys out of the rim. The valley gaps, Koolau Gap on the northwest side and Kaupo Gap on the southeast, are dominant features in the crater wall.

Hana Coast, Maui, Hawaii Haleakala National Park extends from the 10,023 foot summit of Mt. Haleakala down the southeast flank to the Kipahula coast near Hana. No roads connect the two, though each can be reached by road from Kahului.

Each area tells a unique story of the park, in nature and culture:

At the summit of Haleakala (the highest point on Maui), you will enjoy wonderful hiking trails, river valleys, many different landscapes, and exceptional native Hawaiian plants and wildlife such as the ahinahina (Haleakala silversword) and nene (Hawaiian goose).
In contrast to the eroded area of the summit, is the lush and fertile valley of Kipahulu, ten miles south of Hana along the coast. The coastal area is lined with beautiful freshwater pools and waterfalls including the pools of Oheo, which are accessible by car.

In planning your trip to Haleakala, consider driving conditions, weather, and what you might do while you are there. Whatever you decide, you need to bring suitable gear, food, and water. There is no food or gas available in the park, so fill up the gas tank and the cooler before heading toward either the summit or Kipahulu area of the park.

There is no public transportation available either to or in the park.

An admission fee of $10.00 per vehicle is charged at the park entrances. Bicyclists, motorcyclists, and hikers on foot are charged $5.00 each. Credit cards are not accepted. Keep your receipt since the entrance fee is good for seven days in both the Kipahulu and summit areas of the park.

Several private companies operate tours within the park. They include on the park road, horseback tours of the wilderness, and guided hikes.

Haleakala National Park, Maui Barefoot Cashback Tours offers the most comprehensive tour and activity site in the state of Hawaii, including Haleakala National Park tours, with over 600 pages. They've done everything they can to make it easy for you to find out about the unique and exciting activities waiting for you in Hawaii.

There is no public transportation available to the park.

The weather in both the summit and Kipahulu areas of Haleakala National Park is unpredictable and can change quickly. Be prepared for a variety of conditions.

Temperatures in the summit area commonly range between 32 and 65 degrees F; wind-chill can dramatically drop the temperature below freezing at anytime of year.

In Kipahulu, high temperatures are common but can drop quickly with the frequent rain showers. Intense sunlight, thick clouds, heavy rain, and high winds are possible at any time in either area of the park.

Call Haleakala National Park at (808) 572-7749 for current weather conditions before beginning your trip to the park.

Click here to visit the official website for the Haleakala National Park.

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There are three visitor centers:

Haleakala National Park Headquarters
Haleakala Visitor Center
Kipahulu Visitor Center

All visitor centers have cultural and natural history exhibits. The Hawaii Natural History Association offers books, maps, and posters for sale. Naturalists are on duty during business hours to answer questions and help you make the most of your visit. Programs are offered regularly.

It will take two separate trips to see both areas, and your entrance fee is valid in the whole park for 7 days.

Haleakala National Park Headquarters is located one mile from the park entrance at 7,000 feet elevation. Driving time from the resort areas of Kihei and Ka'anapali is about two hours. Hwy 37 to 377 to 378 to the Park Road. The Kipahulu and Summit areas of the park are NOT connected by any one road.

Open All Year 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Phone: 808-572-4400

Available facilities include restrooms, public telephone, picnic area, and Hawaii Natural History Assoc sales area. Backcountry camping/Cabin permit station. No food or gas available.

Haleakala Visitor Center (9,700 ft. elevation), about 11 miles from the park entrance, is near the summit of Mt. Haleakala. Besides a magnificent view of the crater, there are exhibits explaining the geology, archeology, and ecology of the park as well as the wilderness protection programs. Periodically during the day, a park ranger is on duty to answer specific questions and to give interpretive talks.

The Summit area of Haleakala is a three-hour round trip drive from Kahului via roads 37, 377, and 378. Follow the signs posted along the Highway.

Open all year from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m..

Although restrooms are available, there are no public phones, gas or food available.

Kipahulu Visitor Center is located on the Kipahulu coast near the pools of Ohe'o (sea level). Hwy 36 to 360 (the Hana Hwy) to 31. Driving time to Kipahulu from resort areas of Kihei and Ka'anapali is three to four hours one way. There are interpretive exhibits on the cultural and natural heritage of the Kipahulu area. Open All Year 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM. Phone 808-248-7375.

Special Programs include Hawaiian Cultural Hikes to the lo'i (taro patch) on the first Tuesday of each month beginning 1:00 p.m., through cooperative agreement with the Kipahulu Ohana.

Facilities include restrooms, public telephone, picnic tables, and backcountry camping permit station. Front country camping available. No drinking water, food, or gas available.