Things to do nearHaleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii draws visitors with its otherworldly volcanic crater, rare native wildlife, and some of the clearest stargazing skies on Earth.
Haleakalā, whose name translates roughly to "house of the sun" in Hawaiian, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Native Hawaiians, who regard the mountain as an ancestor and a sacred place. The park was established in 1916 as part of Hawaii National Park and became its own distinct unit in 1961. At its heart is the massive summit depression, often called a crater, though it was shaped largely by erosion rather than a single volcanic collapse. The reddish cinder cones and lava flows that fill the basin give it a stark, meditative beauty that has drawn travelers, scientists, and artists for generations.
Visitors exploring the summit area can hike trails that descend into the basin, passing through an alien terrain of volcanic rock and ash where silence is almost total. The park's lower Kipahulu District, accessible via the Road to Hana, offers an entirely different experience — dense tropical vegetation, freshwater pools, and the dramatic Waimoku Falls at the end of the Pipiwai Trail.
Wildlife throughout the park includes the nene, Hawaii's state bird and a once-critically endangered goose that now roams the crater slopes. The summit is also recognized as one of the premier astronomical observation sites in the world, drawing both professional observatories and amateur stargazers to its clear, dark skies. Whether the goal is a quiet hike through volcanic silence or a predawn vigil for a famous sunrise, Haleakalā National Park offers an encounter with Hawaii's natural and cultural depth that lingers long after the visit ends.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Haleakalā National Park
Visit the summit before dawn to watch sunrise from above the clouds, one of the most celebrated natural spectacles in Hawaii — arrive at least 30 minutes early and reserve a timed entry permit well in advance.
Bring warm layers regardless of the season, as summit temperatures regularly drop into the 30s Fahrenheit even when the coast is warm and sunny.
Drive or hike down to the Kipahulu District to walk the Pipiwai Trail, which leads through a bamboo forest to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
Look for the rare silversword plant along the crater trails — it blooms only once in its lifetime and is found nowhere else on Earth outside of Hawaii.
Download offline maps before your visit, as cell service is unreliable throughout much of the park, particularly near the summit.
Top tours & experiences near Haleakalā National Park
Hike Haleakala Crater on a 7-Hour Guided Tour
Explore Haleakala Crater on a 7-hour hike with lunch and snacks included
Discover Scuba Shore Dive in Lahaina
Take your first shore scuba dive with a PADI instructor in a small group
Self-Guided Haleakalā Downhill Bike Tour in Maui
Ride a self-guided Haleakalā downhill route with gear, support, and time to explore Makawao
Haleakalā National Park & Road to Hana Guided Tour
See Haleakalā summit views, then chase waterfalls on the Road to Hana
Sunrise Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour in Wailea
Paddle the Wailea coastline at sunrise with views of Haleakala Crater
Dive Molokini Crater on a 2-Tank Maui Charter
Do a 2-tank dive at Molokini with a flexible second site
Explore Haleakalā National Park & Ocean Vodka Sunset
Drive Maui Upcountry to Haleakalā National Park, then catch sunset at Ocean Vodka
Drive a Slingshot to Haleakalā Sunrise or Sunset
Ride a Slingshot to Haleakalā’s summit with integrated navigation
Drive a Slingshot to Haleakalā Sunrise or Sunset
Cruise Haleakalā summit roads with built-in navigation and 24-hour Slingshot rental
Ride a Harley Heritage Softail Rental in Maui
Rent a Harley Heritage Softail and explore Maui with unlimited miles
Harley Davidson Street Glide Rental on Maui
Ride Maui in comfort on a premium touring bike with unlimited miles and flexible 4-hour to 7-day rentals.
Explore the Road to Hana Private Tour From Kahului
Customize your Road to Hana day with hikes, waterfalls, and beach stops
Explore West Maui Volcano on a Private Guided Tour
Circle West Maui with petroglyphs, cliff overlooks, and hike options
Reverse Road to Hana Guided Tour From Maui
Tour the reverse Road to Hana by private Bronco, with waterfalls, farms, and black sand beach
Explore Maui’s Reverse Road to Hana Private Tour
Ride the reverse Road to Hana in a private SUV, with waterfalls and black sand beach stops
Haleakalā National Park Sunset Hiking Tour
Private Haleakalā summit hike with day or sunset option
Haleakalā National Park Pipiwai Trail Guided Hike
Private Pipiwai Trail hike to Waimoku Falls via Maui’s backside route
2-Tank Molokini Crater Guided Dive Tour From Maui
Dive Molokini Crater with a small-group 2-tank boat trip
Molokini Crater 2-Site Scuba & Snorkel Cruise
Dive Molokini with small groups and concierge-style service
Deluxe Molokini & Makena Coast Snorkel Cruise
Snorkel Molokini Crater and the Makena Coast on a 65-foot luxury catamaran
Sunrise Snorkel Cruise to Molokini Crater in Maui
Snorkel Molokini early, then cruise the Makena Coast with breakfast and drinks
Downhill Bike Tour on Haleakalā to Baldwin Beach
Ride 16 miles downhill from 6,700 feet to Baldwin Beach Park
Unguided Haleakalā Bike Tour From Kihei, 5-Hour
Go private on a longer unguided bike ride with a luxury VW BUZZ drive and meals
Farm-to-Table Food Tour in Upcountry Maui
Cruise Upcountry Maui for goat dairy bites, vodka tastings, and homemade treats
Explore Maui Wild Card 2-Tank Scuba Dive Charter
Dive Maui’s less-visited sites on a 2-tank Wild Card charter
Dive the Carthaginian II Wreck off Lahaina
Deep wreck dive on the Carthaginian II with a second West Maui reef dive
Dive Lanai Cathedrals 8-Hour Scuba Trip
Scuba dive Lāna‘i’s Cathedrals and lava tubes on an 8-hour boat trip
Dive Molokini Backwall 2-Site Charter From Kihei
Tackle Molokini’s Backwall with a second dive site for advanced, recent divers
Guided Shore Dive in Maui: 1 Tank
Explore Maui's reefs on a relaxed shore dive with all gear included
Haleakala Downhill Upcountry Self-Guided Bike Tour
Ride a self-guided downhill from 6,500 feet with narrated drive and roadside support
Take a Custom 4-5 Hour Private Hiking Tour in Maui
Plan a private custom hike to bamboo, waterfalls, or lava flows in Maui
Dive Molokini Backwall Drift Dive From Kihei
Take on Molokini’s Backwall with 2 advanced drift dives
Intro Scuba Shore Dive in Maui With PADI Instructor
Try scuba from shore in Maui with a PADI Instructor (max 4 divers per instructor)
Self-Guided Haleakalā Downhill Bike Tour & Taproom Tasting
Cruise Haleakalā’s upper switchbacks twice, then enjoy an Upcountry taproom tasting
Haleakalā National Park 4-Hour Jeep Tour at Sunset
Private upcountry drive with Haleakalā National Park views and sunset stop