brown mountains under white clouds during daytime

Haleakalā National Park

Watch the sun rise from the summit, walk into a crater 790 m deep, and swim in pools on Maui's windward coast.

Find a room in Haleakalā National Park Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Haleakalā National Park

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Haleakalā National Park covers part of Maui, in Hawaii, United States. The park takes its name from a dormant volcano inside its boundaries, and the Hawaiian name means "house of the sun." Many people come to the summit for sunrise or sunset, and many hike into the crater, a valley about 11.25 km across and 790 m deep. Despite its name, the crater is an erosional valley, and its floor holds many volcanic features, including large cinder cones.

The park has two sections. The summit is reached by Hawaii State Road 378, a steep, twisting road kept in good repair, and the summit has an alpine climate, so bring warm clothing. The Kīpahulu section lies on the coast, where you can swim in more than two dozen pools along Palikea Stream and walk up toward Waimoku Falls. You cannot drive from the summit to Kīpahulu. You must take the winding coastal road around the windward side of the island.

Haleakalā National Park in five

Reserve summit sunrise aheadEntering the summit area before dawn requires a sunrise reservation booked on Recreation.gov, and slots go fast. Check the park's page for the hours and release timing, since rules have changed.
Dress for freezing summit airAt 10,000 feet it can be near or below freezing before dawn even when the coast is warm. Bring a jacket, hat, gloves and water, and descend if you feel unwell from the altitude.
Treat the summit and Kīpahulu as two tripsNo road links the summit district and the Kīpahulu district inside the park. Kīpahulu is on the Hāna side, a long drive from the summit, so plan them on different days.
Pay $30 per vehicle, no nonresident feeThe vehicle pass is valid 3 days and covers both districts. Haleakalā is not one of the 11 parks with the $100 nonresident fee.Which parks charge the fee
Give the nēnē and the summit spaceStay on trails and never feed wildlife. Hawaii's state bird, the nēnē, is often seen near the summit road, and the fragile landscape recovers slowly from footprints.

Things to do in Haleakalā National Park

See all attractions in Haleakalā National Park

Sight · Haleakalā National ParkKalahaku Overlook

waterfalls surrounded by green trees during daytime

Landmark · Haleakalā National ParkWaimoku FallsStart early for a quieter walk and less traffic on the route to the trailhead.

Sight · Haleakalā National ParkWaikamoi Preserve

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Haleakalā National ParkPut the places you like in Haleakalā National Park on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entrance: $30 per vehicle, valid 3 days; no nonresident fee Read more
Permits: Sunrise reservation for the summit; backcountry camping needs a permit
Season: Open all year; the summit is cold and often cloudy
Nearest town: Kula and Makawao (summit); Hāna (Kīpahulu)
Getting there: Kahului (OGG) about 1.5 to 2 hours' drive to the summit

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good

JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Cold, wet spells
FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Cold, wet spells
MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Cold, windy
AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Cool, clearer
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Drier, clearer
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Dry, clearer
JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Dry, busy
AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Dry, busy
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Dry, clearer
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Dry, clearer
NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Cold, wetter
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Cold, wet spells

Average daily high and low in Haleakalā summit, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Haleakalā National Park

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 19°
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 20 km/h
Chance of rain: 95%

Haleakalā National Park

11:58 AM

Monday, November 2

GMT-10

Today14°8°95%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 95%.
Tue14°7°57%Tuesday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 57%.
Wed14°7°84%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 84%.
Thu14°9°94%Thursday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 94%.
Fri16°9°98%Friday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 98%.
Sat15°9°96%Saturday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sun13°9°78%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 78%.

Updated 07:32 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Haleakalā National Park

Car from Kahului airportAbout 1.5 to 2 hours to the summitCompare cars

Guided summit sunrise tourCheck who books the sunrise slotCompare tours

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USMedical cover for visitorsRead the guide

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Rules for Haleakalā National Park, checked

The vehicle pass costs $30, is valid for three days and covers both the Summit and Kīpahulu districts; there is no separate nonresident fee.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Sunrise reservations are required to enter the summit area before dawn; see the park's page for the hours and booking steps.Source

Plan around Haleakalā National Park

All of the USA

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Read the guide Maui

Beaches, the Road to Hāna and where to base

Read the guide Lahaina

The west Maui town and its recovery

Read the guide Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

The other volcano park, on the Big Island

Read the guide ESTA explained

Who needs it, what it costs and how to apply

Read the guide

Haleakalā National Park FAQ

Do you need a reservation for Haleakalā sunrise?

Yes. Entering the summit area before dawn requires a sunrise reservation, booked through Recreation.gov. Slots sell out, so book as soon as they are released and check the park's page for the hours and rules.

How cold is Haleakalā summit?

Often near or below freezing before dawn, and windy, even when the coast is warm. Wear layers, a hat and gloves, and bring a blanket if you plan to wait at the viewpoint.

Is Haleakalā sunrise worth it?

Yes on a clear morning, when you can watch the sun rise above the clouds. Cloud can cover the summit, and the early start is demanding. A daytime visit or sunset avoids the sunrise reservation.

Do I pay the $100 nonresident fee at Haleakalā?

No. Haleakalā is not one of the 11 parks on the NPS nonresident fee list. The standard vehicle pass is $30 and is valid for three days.

Can you visit the summit and Kīpahulu in one day?

It is possible but long, since no road joins them inside the park and the drive between the districts takes hours. Most visitors choose one district per day.