Haleakala National Park
National Seashore
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Haleakala National Park
National Seashore
Haleakala, originally part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, was redesignated as a separate entity in July 1961. Haleakala National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. Of its 28,655 acres, 19,270 are wilderness.
Hours are:
Park Headquarters 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Haleakala Visitor Center Sunrise to 3:00 pm
Kipahulu Ranger Station 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Persons with heart or respiratory problems and pregnant women should check with their doctor before coming to the Park, given the reduced oxygen at high elevation.
Kipahulu Area: The weather in Kipahulu is usually warm, and rain is common. Flash flooding of the pools and streams can be hazardous to swimmers and hikers. Always check with the Park Rangers before entering the pools and never swim if flood warnings are posted. Mosquitoes can be prevalent in this area.
In Park: personal or rental vehicle, bicycle, tour bus or van, or taxi (arrangements not made by Park)
Trails: In the Summit area, two trails lead into the Wilderness. Sliding Sands Trail starts at the Haleakala Visitor Center parking lot and descends 2,500 feet through a cinder desert to the valley floor in 4 miles. The return trip is difficult due to the steep grade, elevation, and reduced oxygen. Allow twice the time to hike out as it takes to hike in.
Halemau`u Trail begins at the 8'000 foot parking lot 3.5 miles above Park Headquarters. The first mile gradually descends through native shrubland to the valley rim. Two miles of switchbacks then descend 1,400 feet to the valley floor. Sliding Sands and Halemau`u trails eventually join after about 9 miles, and are also connected with short spur trails. Ask at Park Headquarters or Haleakala Visitor center about alternatives for shorter hikes; even short walks offer spectacular views on clear days.
At Kipahulu, all trails start at the Ranger Station/Visitor Center. Check at the station for current trail and swimming conditions. Be alert to water conditions as flash flooding may occur within minutes. Obey posted warning signs. The Kuloa Point Trail is an easy half mile loop towards the ocean along pools and waterfalls and back to the ranger station. Kuloa Point is a windy bluff overlooking `Ohe`o Gulch. Crashing surf and views of the Island of Hawai`i are a five minute walk from the Ranger Station/Visitor Center. Enjoy a picnic on the grass next to the remnants of an ancient fishing shrine and house site. Explore a Lau Hala thatched building and envision an earlier time. The Pipiwai Trail is a moderately difficult four mile (round trip) hike through the rain forest up to Waimoku Falls. The trail ends upstream, near the base of 400' Waimoku Falls. Take a picnic lunch, snack, insect repellant and water along on this three hour hike.
Programs, Activities:Both areas of the Park offer guided walks and programs on the geology and natural and cultural history of the area. In the Summit Area, 15-20 minute presentations are given daily in the Summit Building at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 am. There is a guided Cinder Desert Hike on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:00 am. The hike is two miles and takes about two hours. Meet at the Sliding Sands Trailhead at the end of the Haleakala Visitor Center Parking Lot. In addition there is a guided Waikamoi Cloud Forest Hike on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00 am. This three hour, three mile hike goes through The Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve. Meet at Hosmer Grove, just inside the Park entrance.
At Kipahulu, programs include a one mile hike to the Bamboo Forest at 9:00 am daily; half mile hikes or orientation talks at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm daily; and a 4 mile round trip hike to Waimoku Falls, Saturdays at 9:30 am. All programs and hikes begin at the Ranger Station/Visitor Center and are subject to staff availability.
Lodging and Camping Facilities (in park): There are no hotels or concessions within Haleakala National Park. In the Summit area, the Hosmer Grove Campground can be used without a permit. It is located just inside the Park entrance and to the left. Both the Kipahulu and Hosmer Grove campgrounds have picnic tables, barbecue grills, and outdoor pit toilets.
There are also two Wilderness campgrounds - Holua is a 4 mile (one way) hike down the Halemau`u trail and Paliku is 10 miles (one way) down either the Sliding Sands Trail or the Halemau`u Trail. Both are primitive with only pit toilets and non-potable water. Campers should have provisions and equipment appropriate for possible cold, wet weather. There are no open fires allowed in the Wilderness, so portable campstoves and a fuel supply are recommended. Some form of water treatment is required.
These campgrounds require a permit, available at Park Headquarters between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm daily. There is no additional fee for these camping permits. Space at both campgrounds is limited, and no advance reservations are taken for wilderness camping.
Three wilderness cabins are maintained by the National Park Service for visitor use by advanced reservation lottery. To reach the cabins, you must hike a minimum of 4 miles to Holua, 6 miles to Kapalaoa, and 10 miles to Paliku. Each cabin is allocated to one party as a unit, with a capacity of 12 people per night. Fees for the cabins are based on the number of people in the party: 1-6 people - $40.00, 7-12 people - $80.00. At least one member of the party must be 18 years of age or older. To enter the reservation lottery, write to Haleakala National Park, Attention Cabins at least 90 days prior to your trip. Include your first and alternate choices of dates and cabin preferred. The more flexible your request, the better your chance of winning a reservation. Keep in mind that weekends are more requested than weekdays. We occasionally have cabin cancellations available. To fill a cancellation, call the Park at (808) 572-9306 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm daily to check on availability. You will need a Visa or Mastercard to secure a reservation by phone.
For both wilderness camping and cabins, stays are limited to 3 nights per month, with no more than 2 consecutive nights at any one cabin or campground.
At Kipahulu, a primitive campground near the ocean is available without a permit on a first come, first served basis. No drinking water is available: you must bring your own water supply. The campground has picnic tables, BBQ grills, and an outdoor pit toilet.
Food, Supplies:There are no facilities to purchase food, gasoline or supplies in the Park. There is no drinking water at Kipahulu. The towns of Kahului, Pukalani (17 miles from the Summit area), and Hana (10 miles from the Kipahulu area) have limited stores and outfitters.
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities: Several private companies operate tours within the Park. They include downhill biking on the Park road, horseback tours of the wilderness, and guided hikes. Check the yellow pages of the Maui phone book, the activities desks at hotels and resorts, or consult the Hawai`i Visitor's Bureau for information.
Accessibility: In the Summit area, Park Headquarters,Haleakala Visitor Center and Hosmer Grove picnic are wheelchair accessible. Accessible restrooms are located at Haleakala Visitor Center, Kalahaku Overlook, Park Headquarters, and Hosmer Grove. Accessible water fountains can be found at Park Headquarters 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.
In the Kipahulu area, there are accessible parking spaces and restrooms near the Ranger Station. The only paved portion of trail leads to the Ranger Station. 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 and persons requiring assistance.
Sunrise and sunset are both amazing events, but sunrise is more crowded. Arrive at least one half hour before each to watch colors change. A flashlight will come in handy and warm clothes are a must! Good sunset locations include the Halemau`u Trail and the Summit. Sunrise can be seen from Leleiwi or Kalahaku Overlooks, the Summit, and Haleakala Visitor Center.
Bird and wildlife watching are great at Haleakala. In fact, Haleakala National Park is one of a few places to see rare Hawaiian forest birds. Walk along Halemau`u trail or through Hosmer Grove on your own or join our guided Waikamoi Hike offered on Mondays and Thursdays, from 9:00 til noon at Hosmer Grove. After dark, watch the tree tops on moonlit nights for one of only two native mammals in Hawai`i, the `ope`ape`a, or Hawaiian Hoary bat. On summer nights stop at Leleiwi overlook and listen for the rare `Ua`u, or Dark-Rumped petrel, calling for its mate along the cliffs below. During the winter months watch for Humpback Whales from the porch of the Kipahulu Ranger Station.
Biking on your own can be done on the Park road, but not on any trails. Lights are required pre-dawn or after dusk. Helmets are strongly recommended. Gloves and rain gear will make your ride safer and more comfortable. Bikes can be rented on the island.
Skateboarding? Roller blading? Hang gliding? Gravity may tempt you, but for safety and the protection of the Park resources, these activities are prohibited anywhere in the Park.
The weather at Haleakala is unpredictable; be prepared for cold wind, heavy rain, and hot sunshine. No dining or vending facilities are available in the Park, so plan your visit wisely. Also remember that there are no gas stations in or near the Park. Think Ahead!
In the Kipahulu area, cultural demonstrations occur occasionally. Check at the Ranger Station or call (808) 248-7375 for current schedules.
For other camping areas on Maui:
State Parks Office
54 South High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 984-8109
County Parks War Memorial Center
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 243-7389
Visit the Haleakala Conservation Biology Field Station
Visit the USGS/BRD Haleakala National Park Field Station
Visit these national park web pages to find out more about other incredible areas!
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Author: Leigh Wallace