Haleakala gives you two completely different parks on one Maui pass. Up at the summit, you stand above the clouds on the rim of a vast volcanic crater that looks more like Mars than Hawaii. Down in the Kipahulu District on the coast, you walk through bamboo forest to a waterfall and past tiered pools spilling toward the sea. Will and I filmed both, and the contrast still amazes me.
The one thing to nail down before anything else is the sunrise reservation for the summit, which you need to enter in the early morning hours. Beyond that, this is a park that rewards an early start and warm layers. Here is my honest, ranked list of the best things to do in Haleakala National Park.
For the full trip plan, including lodging and driving times, see our complete Haleakala National Park guide.
Top Things to Do at a Glance
| Activity | District | Time Needed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit sunrise | Summit | Half day | Reservation required |
| Sliding Sands Trail | Summit | Half to full day | High elevation |
| Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls | Kipahulu | 2 to 3 hours | Bamboo forest |
| Pools of Oheo | Kipahulu | 1 hour | Swimming often closed |
| Summit sunset and stars | Summit | Evening | No reservation needed |
| Leleiwi and Kalahaku overlooks | Summit | 1 hour | Easy |
1. Watch Sunrise from the Summit
Sunrise at over 10,000 feet, watching the sun break over a sea of clouds filling the crater, is the signature Haleakala experience and my top recommendation. Mark Twain called it the most sublime spectacle he ever witnessed, and standing up there in the cold dark waiting for the light, it is easy to agree.
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- Reservation: A sunrise reservation is required for any vehicle entering the Summit District between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. It carries a small fee and is separate from the park entrance fee. Reservations release 60 days ahead and sell out fast, with a small batch released 2 days before.
- What to bring: It can be near freezing and very windy at the summit, so pack a warm jacket, hat, and gloves even though you are on a tropical island.
2. Hike the Sliding Sands Trail
This is the best way to actually get down into the crater, and my pick for the top hike in the park. The Sliding Sands Trail (Keoneheehee) drops from the summit area into a surreal world of cinder cones and colored ash. The views from the first mile alone are worth the walk.
- Distance and difficulty: You can turn around anywhere, but remember the climb back out is at high elevation. A common out-and-back to the first cinder cone area runs several miles and is strenuous on the return.
- Altitude: At over 9,000 feet, you will feel the thin air. Go slow, drink water, and turn back if you feel unwell.
3. Hike the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls
Down in the Kipahulu District, the Pipiwai Trail is the best hike on the coastal side and one of my favorite hikes anywhere on Maui. It climbs past waterfalls and through a dense, echoing bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls. The bamboo tunnel alone makes the trip.
- Distance and difficulty: About 4 miles round trip, moderate, with a steady climb and some mud. Plan 2 to 3 hours.
- Access: The Kipahulu District is on the far side of the island past Hana, a long, winding drive from the summit. They are not close, so plan them as separate days.
4. See the Pools of Oheo
Also in Kipahulu, the Pools of Oheo are a series of tiered pools and small falls where a stream steps down toward the ocean. Even when you cannot swim, walking the short Kuloa Point Trail among the pools with the coast in view is a beautiful, easy stop.
- Note: Swimming in the pools is frequently closed for safety due to flash flood risk and conditions. Always check the current status with rangers and never enter when closed.
5. Stargaze at the Summit
The high, dry, dark summit is one of the best stargazing spots in Hawaii, and you do not need a sunrise reservation to come up at night. On a clear night the stars are overwhelming, with the Milky Way arcing right overhead. It is the underrated alternative to the crowded sunrise.
- Tip: Dress as warmly as you would for sunrise, bring a red flashlight, and give your eyes time to adjust away from car headlights.
6. Catch Sunset from the Summit
Sunset rivals sunrise here, with the bonus that it needs no reservation and draws fewer crowds. The light pours across the crater and the cloud sea turns gold and pink. Stay a bit after dark and you slide straight into the stargazing.
7. Stop at the Summit Overlooks
The drive to the top passes a string of overlooks, including Leleiwi and Kalahaku, that frame the crater and, on clear days, the neighboring islands. The Haleakala Visitor Center near the top and the Puu Ulaula summit building offer the highest, broadest views. Take your time on the way up to acclimate.
8. Look for the Haleakala Silversword
The Haleakala silversword is a rare, otherworldly plant with silver, spiky leaves that grows only here and blooms once before it dies. Seeing one near the summit is a privilege. Stay on trails and never walk among them, since their roots are fragile and the plants are endangered.
9. Watch for Nene
The nene, Hawaii’s endangered state bird, makes its home in the park, and you may spot these geese near the summit or along park roads. Drive slowly, never feed them, and give them space. Spotting a nene is one of those quiet highlights that makes the park feel wild.
10. Hike the Halemauu Trail
The Halemauu Trail offers a different way into the crater, with switchbacks descending a dramatic cliff and big views over the valley and cloud line. Even the first mile to the rim overlook is worth it if you do not want to commit to the full descent.
- Distance and difficulty: About 2 miles round trip to the overlook, moderate. Going down into the crater turns it into a long, strenuous day.
11. Backpack Into the Crater
For the full experience, link Sliding Sands and Halemauu into a crater traverse and stay overnight at a wilderness campsite or one of the rustic cabins. Sleeping inside the crater under that many stars is a singular experience for prepared backpackers.
- Permit: Wilderness camping requires a permit, and the cabins are reserved well in advance. This is a high-elevation, exposed environment, so come prepared for cold and sun.
12. Explore the Kipahulu Coast
The Kipahulu District is more than the famous trails. The rugged black-rock coast, the cultural sites, and the lush stream valleys make the long drive worthwhile on their own. Stop at the Kipahulu Visitor Center for ranger talks on the area’s Hawaiian history.
13. Drive the Summit Road
The road from sea level to the summit climbs through ranchland, clouds, and shrubland in about an hour and a half, gaining 10,000 feet, one of the fastest paved ascents anywhere. The drive itself is a highlight, with switchbacks and ever-changing views. Watch for cyclists and downhill bike tours.
14. Walk the Hosmer Grove Loop
Just inside the Summit District, the short Hosmer Grove loop winds through an experimental forest and native shrubland and is one of the better spots to hear and see native forest birds. It is an easy, pleasant leg-stretcher on the way up or down.
- Distance and difficulty: About a 0.5-mile loop, easy. There is also a small campground here.
15. Look for a Cloud Inversion at Leleiwi
At the Leleiwi Overlook, conditions sometimes create a cloud inversion where you stand above a solid floor of clouds. On rare afternoons you might even see the Brocken spectre, your own shadow ringed by a rainbow in the mist below. It is a quick stop with a chance at something special.
16. Join a Ranger Program
Rangers in both districts lead talks and walks on the geology, the endangered species, and the deep Hawaiian cultural significance of Haleakala, which means house of the sun. These programs add a lot of meaning to the views. Check current schedules at the visitor centers.
17. Photograph the Cinder Cones
The crater floor is dotted with cinder cones in rust, red, and gold, and the light on them is best soon after sunrise or before sunset. Even from the rim overlooks, a zoom lens pulls out compositions of the cones against the shifting clouds.
18. Spot the Neighboring Islands
On clear days the summit offers views to the Big Island’s Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa across the channel, and sometimes other islands. It is a striking reminder that you are standing on one volcano looking at others. Mornings tend to be clearest before clouds build.
19. Pair Kipahulu with the Road to Hana
Because the Kipahulu District sits beyond Hana, most visitors reach it as the far end of the famous Road to Hana. Building Pipiwai and the Pools of Oheo into a Hana day is the efficient way to do the coastal side. Start very early, since the drive is long and slow.
20. Sit with the Quiet
After the sunrise crowd thins, find a spot on the rim and just take it in. The scale, the silence, and the slow drift of clouds through the crater are the real reason to come. Some of my best memories here are simply sitting still and watching the mountain breathe.
Planning Your Visit to Haleakala National Park
Getting There
The park is on Maui. The Summit District is about 1.5 hours from the Kahului area up a steep, winding road. The Kipahulu District is on the southeast coast beyond Hana, a long drive of several hours from central Maui. The two districts are not connected inside the park, so plan them separately.
Fees and Reservations
The private vehicle entrance fee is $30 and is good for three days, covering both the Summit and Kipahulu districts. On top of that, a separate sunrise reservation with a small fee is required to enter the Summit District between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Book sunrise on recreation.gov as early as you can, since it sells out.
Best Time to Visit
The park is open year round. The summit is coldest and windiest in winter, and weather can change fast in any season, so check the summit forecast before you drive up. Kipahulu is warm and lush but prone to flash floods after rain, which is why the pools are often closed for swimming.
How Many Days Do You Need?
Plan at least one day for the summit and a separate day for Kipahulu, since they are far apart. With the entrance pass good for three days, you can spread out a summit sunrise, a crater hike, and the coastal trails without rushing.
For lodging, maps, and a full itinerary, see our complete Haleakala National Park guide.
What to Bring to Haleakala
Gear we recommend for Haleakala. Affiliate links support our work at no cost to you.
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More Than Just Parks Film Watch our 8K film of Haleakala We spent weeks in Haleakala, one of our favorite public lands destinations, capturing it the way it deserves. Take a few minutes and see it for yourself.
