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The park has approximately 1.5 million visitors a year. Haleakala National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for severe weather closure. Park Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakala Visitor Center, and Kipahulu Visitor Center are open daily and year round subject to staff availability (with the exception of Haleakala Visitor Center on December 25 and January 1). All visitor centers have cultural and natural history exhibits. Books, maps, and posters are offered for sale by the Hawaii Natural History Association. Naturalists are on duty during business hours to answer questions and help you make the most of your visit. Programs are offered regularly.

In the summit area the following facilities are wheelchair accessible: Park Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakala Visitor Center, and Hosmer Grove picnic area. Accessible restrooms are located at Haleakala Visitor Center, Kalahaku Overlook, Park Headquarters Visitor Center, and Hosmer Grove. Accessible water fountains can be found at Park Headquarters Visitor Center, and Haleakala Visitor Center. The summit building is accessible, with assistance, via a steep ramp. Park trails are currently unpaved and not suitable for wheelchair use. For the hearing-impaired, a script is available for a backcountry slide orientation program at Park Headquarters Visitor Center and Haleakala Visitor Center. In the Kipahulu area, there are accessible parking spaces and restrooms near the visitor center. The only paved portion of trail leads to the visitor center. At this time the trails leading to the pools and the forest are muddy, steep, and rocky. Access beyond the paved trail is difficult for wheelchairs or for persons requiring assistance.

The most isolated major island group on earth, the Hawaiian archipelago is 2400 miles (3862 km) from the nearest continent and has never had connection to any other land mass. They were formed as the Pacific Plate moved across a volcanic “hot spot” within the earth’s mantle. When the Polynesians navigated their way to the Hawaiian archipelago on outrigger canoes over 1500 years ago, they found islands that had been untouched by humans. The native flora and fauna of Hawaii quickly became an intrinsic part of the culture of the Hawaiians as they began life in a new place. Large human populations were sustained through careful land organization and resource sharing as the Native Hawaiians thrived in the isolated archipelago.

Haleakala National Park is renowned for its inspiring volcanic landscapes. These amazing landscapes result from the constant clash of the constructive force of volcanism and the destructive forces of erosion. Haleakala is a shield volcano that has been above the ocean surface for about 1.5 million years. Haleakala is considered an active volcano and is monitored remotely through equipment which sends information to the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory on the Island of Hawaii.

Haleakala National Park was created in 1916, as a unit of Hawaii National Park, to preserve the scenery, natural and cultural resources. The pristine rainforest of Kipahulu Valley was authorized for addition to the park on March 26, 1951. The Kipahulu coastal area of ‘Ohe’o was authorized for addition to the park on January 10, 1969. The adjacent coastal area of Puhilele was added to the park in 1998. Ka’apahu was added to Haleakala National Park in February 1999. Haleakala is home to many rare and elusive native species of birds, insects, spiders, and plants. The natural resources within the park are vital parts of the Hawaiian culture.

Waikamoi Cloud Forest Hike is a hike into the Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve. Here in windswept native cloud forests, native plants, birds, and invertebrates have woven an ecological fabric that supports some of the rarest and most beautiful of Earth’s creatures. Once frequented only by those versed in proper protocol to enter the wao akua (realm of the gods), the preserve today is still off-limits except to those on special hikes led by the Nature Conservancy or park staff. Reservations are recommended. Make a reservation for the hike up to one week in advance by calling 808 572-4459. Show up at least 15 minutes early and be prepared with layered clothing, raingear, water and sturdy shoes.

The summit area of Haleakala National Park has over 30 miles (48 km) of hiking trails. Trails range from just 10 minutes to long overnight backpacking trips. You might hike in the native shrubland, looking for native forest birds and endemic plants, or in the aeolian cinder desert, exploring the geologic history of the summit. Stop by a visitor center to pick up a free trail map and check on current conditions before you head out. Due to the fragile nature of the ecosystem it is required that hikers stay on the marked trials. Do not short cut the switchback trails. Pets may not accompany hikers on the trails. The Hosmer Grove Trail is an easy, short walk for family vacations with small children and is an excellent place for observing native plants and birds. The Keoneheehee Trail is an all day hike that traverses much of the Haleakala Wilderness. It is a challenging, but rewarding 11.2-mile backpacking experience. These are just two of the trails to choose from in which to explore the park.

The Kipahulu area, with its beautiful streams, subtropical vegetation and rugged coastline, is one of the greatest treasures on Maui. The powerful culture and history of the area makes exploration even more meaningful. In Kipahulu, all trails start at the Visitor Center. Detailed trail guides are available at the Kipahulu Visitor Center. Hikers must be properly prepared for hot, wet conditions and mosquitoes. Kuloa Point Trail is a .5 mile (.8km) easy loop trail that leads from the Kipahulu Visitor Center down to the ocean at Kuloa Point past historic walls and pre-contact Hawaiian habitation sites. The Kahakai Trail stretches .25 mile (.54km) between Kuloa Point and the Kipahulu campground. Shoreline views along the ocean are beautiful…but watch your step along cliff sides! Pipiwai Trail is a moderately strenuous 4 mile (6.3km) round-trip backpacking trail and winds upslope along the edge of Pipiwai Stream past several waterfalls and pools. The remains of a sugar mill dam, irrigation systems, and flumes of the late 1800′s can be seen in several places along the trail. The Makahiku Overlook is just .5 mile (.8km) up the trail and looks down on a beautiful 184-foot (56m) waterfall. Kipahulu has a long and rich history of human habitation spanning from pre-contact (prior to 1778) times to today. Many historic and archeological features are visible from the trails in Kipahulu. Hiking off-trail to look for features is prohibited.

Native vertebrate animals at Haleakala are a very select group. To get to Hawaii across such vast expanses of ocean, animals had to fly or swim. Not surprisingly the only native mammals at Haleakala are a bat and a seal. The only native reptiles are sea turtles. Birds are the prevalent native vertebrates, and except for migrants, all are endemic, that is, they are found nowhere but Hawaii. Even the Hawaiian goose, the nene, is found only in Hawaii. Long ago its ancestor, a Canada goose, flew here and stayed. Isolated, it evolved on land and even lost its webbed feet (not much use on lava flows). Now like the other Hawaiian land birds—it too is “endemic.” Hawaii’s renowned honeycreeper family, all closely related birds, has evolved into strikingly different species. Likely their common ancestors were lone accidental arrivals to these isolated islands. Over time, their offspring fitting into different physical habitat niches, favored those individuals whose physical variation gave them best survival ability. Today, though genetically closely related, the honeycreepers physical shapes are as varied as woodpeckers and parrots on the mainland. This iiwi (above) is well adapted to extract nectar from lobeliad type flowers.

No other animal in Hawaii has a lifestyle like the Hawaiian bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus). This furry flier is the only native mammal of Hawaii that lives entirely on land. “Native” describes any creature that arrived in Hawaii without the aid of humans. Because there is so little competition for the Hawaiian bat in the evening sky, this animal was able to spread unrestricted to many types of environments in Hawaii. The Hawaiian bat began to expand its diet, eating more types of flying insects than its North American ancestor. In addition, the Hawaiian bat began foraging in wooded areas as well as the open lands that its ancestors traditionally used. In time, the bodies of the Hawaiian bats changed to permit slower, more maneuverable flight near vegetation.

Due primarily to habitat loss, the Hawaiian hoary bat was federally listed as endangered in 1970. There are less than 2,500 individuals in all the Hawaiian Islands. Despite this low population the prognosis for recovery is high because of the bat’s ability to use many different types of habitats and because there are populations on each of the main islands. In certain areas on Maui, including the alpine shrubland of Haleakala National Park, they are frequently seen. Hawaiian hoary bats have an uncommon combination of rarity and conspicuousness which make them special and entertaining sight swooping in solitude over the Hawaiian sunset.

Many changes occurred after the arrival of the ancient Hawaiians, but the rate of change has accelerated dramatically just in the last few hundred years starting with contact with the Western world. Today more than 20 alien species are introduced to the islands every year. The isolation which has made the plants and animals of the Hawaiian Islands unique also makes them vulnerable to the rapid changes precipitated by humans. Hawaiian species often cope poorly with habitat alterations, foreign diseases, predation, and competition from introduced species. Further loss of Haleakala volcano’s endemic plants and animals threatens not only the health of remnant Hawaiian ecosystems but endangers intricate connections with living Hawaiian culture. Active intervention by conservation managers has become essential to the survival of the natural and cultural heritage of Hawaii. At Haleakala National Park each of these elements – geology, geography, biology and culture – come together and are interwoven to form unique and compelling landscapes and stories which require careful attention and management if they are to survive into the next generation.

Hundreds of silverswords dotting a crater landscape are a spectacular example of Haleakala’s unique flora. The entire park’s flora is equally outstanding. Except for some pervasive grasses, Haleakala’s upper elevation forests and shrublands are entirely native. Most species are endemic—found nowhere but Hawaii. They survive here, now relying on the park staff intensive management efforts to control invasive non-native biota. Rainforests on Haleakala’s steep windward slopes receive as much as 120 inches of annual rainfall. These forests are stable and enduring when not ravaged by non-native pigs and goats. Ungulate rooting and grazing quickly breaks down the native plant cover triggering devastating erosion. Landscape scale erosion in tropical mountain slopes devastates both the native biodiversity and the island’s precious groundwater reserve. Yet, Haleakala upper elevations are now free of pigs and goats, and the park serves as a core area in the East Maui Watershed Partnership to protect this native rain shed and its groundwater from ungulate destruction.

In planning your trip to Haleakala, consider driving conditions, weather, and what you might do while you are here. 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.

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. Hypothermia is a danger. Hikers must be properly prepared for high altitudes and cold, rainy conditions. 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. Temperatures immediately before dawn and immediately after dusk are regularly below freezing.

The high altitude at the summit area may complicate health conditions and cause breathing difficulties. Pregnant women, young children, and those with respiratory or heart conditions should consult their doctors prior to traveling to high elevations. To help avoid major safety concerns, be sure to walk slowly at high elevation, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, and check in often with elderly friends or relatives to make sure they’re doing okay. Turn back and seek medical aid if you have health concerns. Trails are strenuous at this elevation due to the lower concentration of oxygen in each breath. Altitude sickness is a concern. Be on guard for symptoms; nausea, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. When beginning your hike on a downward slope, allow for twice the time hiking to get out, i.e. 15 minutes hiking down + 30 minutes hiking up = 45 minute hike. Soft cinder trails create hiking conditions similar to walking on a beach in some areas.

At Kipahulu, there is no drinking water available. Stream water in the Kipahulu area is not drinkable. Water in the wilderness must be treated before drinking. Mosquitoes can be prevalent in this area. Visitors should bring mosquito repellent. Dangerous flash floods do occur – check at the visitor center before entering the water. The Pipiwai Stream and all the streams of East Maui are prone to flash flooding. Water can rise over 4 feet in minutes. Stay away from the streambed during heavy rains. At higher elevations it may be raining and streams can swell to cause flash floods, even if it is sunny and clear where you are. Swimming is not recommended when streams are stagnant. Cliff edges along the stream are very slippery and unstable and there are no guard rails; avoid hiking too close to the edge. Visitors have been injured or killed by falling into the streams.

Follow these hiking guidelines to preserve the fragile ecosystem. Stay on designated trails. Pack out all trash. Travel quietly. Do not disturb animals or their nests. Do not pick plants or remove any natural objects such as rocks or disturb rock walls. Do not feed the wildlife. Travel and camp quietly and in small groups. Others will appreciate the solitude and quiet. Fires are only allowed in grills at Hosmer Grove and Kipahulu campgrounds, not at wilderness campsite. Cooking in the wilderness requires a small portable camping stove placed on a rock or gravel surface. Bikes are not allowed on park trails, but can be ridden on the paved roads in the park. Group size is limited to 12 persons.
For a day hike in the Summit area, bring: water (at least 2 quarts per person), food, full raingear, sturdy hiking shoes, layered and warm clothing, wide brimmed hat/sunglasses, sunscreen (High SPF), first aid kit/bee sting kit, and trail map. For the Kipahulu area, you’ll need the above plus mosquito repellent.

For a overnight trip in the Summit area, a good backpacking checklist, besides the above, is: camping or cabin permit, flashlight and extra batteries and bulb, compass, topographical map, tent w/rain fly, repair kit, warm sleeping bag and mat, camp stove, mess kit, food, pocket knife or multipurpose tool, toilet paper (must pack out when not using pit toilets), matches or lighter, whistle or signal mirror, water or water treatment system, collapsible water container and plastic bags (for waterproofing and to pack out all trash). For the Kipahulu area, you’ll need the above plus water for cooking and washing.

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Please do not feed or harass the wildlife. Observe them from a safe distance.

The entrance fee is $5.00 – 3 Days per bicyclist, motorcyclist, or individual on foot. There is a $10.00 – 3 Days per single vehicle. There is an Annual Pass available for $25.00. It is good for purchaser and all accompanying persons in a private non-commercial vehicle. The Annual Pass is valid for one year admission to Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.

For those who need an overnight escape without a backpacking trip, the park offers two car accessible campgrounds: Kipahulu and Hosmer Grove. Kipahulu campground is near sea level on the wet, east-side of the island in the Kipahulu area of the park, which is reached via the Hana Highway. Hosmer Grove is on the way to the summit, high on the windy slopes of Haleakala. At Kipahulu and Hosmer Grove campground space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No permit or reservation required. A person may camp up to 3 nights per month in either the Hosmer Grove or Kipahulu campgrounds. Hosmer Grove campground has a limit of 50 people, and Kipahulu campground has a limit of 100 people, both with a 12-person group limit.

Hosmer Grove lies in the cloud belt of Haleakala, just below the 7,000-foot level in the summit area. Be prepared for rain and cold weather. Nighttime temperatures can drop into the 30′s; daytime highs average 50-65°F. The campground has picnic tables; BBQ grills, drinking water, and pit toilets. Sites are close together in an open, grassy area near the forest and shrubland of Hosmer Grove. A self-guided nature trail begins and ends at the campground. The forest comes to life in the early dawn with the many native birds in the area, making this a beautiful early morning hike.

The Kipahulu campground is about 1/8 mile south of the Kipahulu Visitor Center. It overlooks ocean cliffs and is a short walk from Oheo Gulch. In the evenings, the sound of the ocean waves makes this a peaceful place. The campground has picnic tables, BBQ grills, and pit toilets. No water is available at Kipahulu; you must bring your own water supply. There are two general stores in the nearby town of Hana (10 miles away) where you can purchase water and basic food supplies. Be prepared for rain, harsh sun, and mosquitoes.

There are two primitive wilderness campsites, at Paliku and Holua, which are accessible only by trail. Permits are required for overnight camping at these sites. Camping permits are free, require a 10-minute orientation, and can be obtained at any Visitor Center. Campsite space is available on a first-come, first-served basis for the general public. Special accommodation is made for educational groups and boy-scout groups which may reserve space up to 6 months in advance. Each person is limited to a maximum of 3 nights per 30 day period in the wilderness campsites with no more than 2 nights at any one site. Holua and Paliku campsites have a maximum limit of 25 people each with a 12-person group limit. Holua and Paliku campsites have pit toilets and water available nearby. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking. In times of drought all water must be carried in.

Holua, the wilderness campsite reached by the shortest hike, lies at 6,940 feet (2,115 meters) in the shrubland near Koolau Gap. Holua is 3.7 miles (6km) down the Halemauu Trail or 7.4 miles (12km) from the Sliding Sand Trailhead. Visitors staying at Holua can enjoy day hikes into the central Wilderness Area. The landscape around Holua supports a native shrubland which colonizes the lava flows.

At 6,380 feet (1,945 meters), Paliku is on the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. The campsite is reached via a strenuous 9.3 mile (15km) backpacking trip on the Sliding Sands Trail or 10.4 (17km) on Halemauu Trail. Clouds and fog often roll over the top of the cliffs behind Paliku, and rain is common. The extra moisture makes this spot exceptionally cool and lush.

Three wilderness cabins are maintained by the National Park Service for visitor use by advanced reservation lottery. The wilderness cabins are accessible only by trail. To reach the cabins, you must hike a minimum of 3.7 miles (5.9km) to Holua, 5.5 miles (8.9km) to Kapalaoa, and 9.3 miles (15km) to Paliku. Each person is limited to a maximum of 3 nights per 30-day period in wilderness area campsites and cabins, with no more than 2 nights at any one site. Maximum group size in the wilderness is 12 persons. An adult age 18 or older must accompany each group using a cabin. Holua, Kapalaoa, and Paliku cabins have pit toilets and water available near the cabin. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking. Each cabin has a wood-burning stove with limited firewood, 2-burner propane stove, cooking utensils, dishes, and 12 padded bunks. In times of drought, cookware will be removed and you must pack in all your water. There is no electricity in the cabins. Bring plenty of warm clothes and sleeping bags.

Cabins are reserved through a monthly lottery. Each cabin is rented to only one group per night. To enter the monthly lottery, your request must be received 2 months prior to the first day of the month for which you are requesting a reservation. For example, to request any date in May, your request must be received before March 1. Please send a written request specifying the date(s) and the cabin(s) in which you would like to stay. If more than one date will work for you, you can write down alternative choices and dates in case your first choice is not available. Mail your request along with your name, address, and phone number to “Haleakala National Park, PO Box 369 Makawao, HI 96768 Attention: Cabins”. Only one entry per party is accepted. No phone, e-mail, or fax requests are accepted. If your request can be filled, you will be given a tentative reservation and notified by mail. To finalize your reservation, payment must be received 3 weeks prior to the reservation date. A flat fee of 75.00 per night will cover the entire cabin for up to 12 people. Changes to a reservation and refunds can only be made until 3 weeks before the reservation date. Occasionally last-minute cabins are available. When reserved within 3 weeks of night of stay, the fee is non-refundable and the reservation cannot be changed. Flat rate for 1-12 people is $60 if reserved less than three weeks ahead. Call between 1-3pm HST any day to find out these restricted last-minute availabilities or for more information – 808 572-4459. You will need a valid credit card to secure a reservation by phone.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, U S S Arizona Memorial, and The Maui Ocean Center are all worth viewing.

The main airport is in Kahului on central Maui. Major airlines fly from the U.S. mainland and inter-island flights are available between the inhabited Hawaiian Islands.

Haleakala National Park extends from the 10,023 foot summit of Haleakala down the southeast flank of the mountain to the Kipahulu coast near Hana. These two sections of the park are not directly connected by road, but both can be reached from Kahului. The summit area of Haleakala is a two hour drive from Kahului.
The Kipahulu area of the park can be reached via Hana Highway, a curvy, often wet road, three to four hours from Kahului.

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

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Haleakala National Park:

By Car:

Makauao, HI – 18.60 miles

Pukalani, HI – 16.70 miles

Kihei, HI – 33.62 miles

Kahului, HI – 27.32 miles

Wailuku, HI – 29.48 miles

Haleakala National Park, P.O. Box 369, Makawao, Maui, HI 96768
Visitor Information and Headquarters – 808 572-4400, Kipahulu – 808 248-7375.

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