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
Haleakalā Self-Guided Downhill Bike Tour
A self-paced 98% downhill ride through upcountry Maui
Full-Day Haleakalā & Road to Hana Guided Tour
Pair Haleakalā’s volcanic summit with waterfalls and swim stops along the Road to Hana
Sunrise Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour in Wailea
Paddle the Wailea coastline at sunrise with views of Haleakala Crater
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
Haleakala Summit Sunrise or Sunset Slingshot Rental
Drive a Slingshot to Haleakala with navigation and open-air summit views
Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rental in Kihei
Ride Maui your way on a Harley Heritage Softail
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Rental in Kihei
Ride Maui your way on a Harley-Davidson Street Glide
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
Guided Reverse Road to Hana Tour
Explore Maui’s reverse Road to Hana route with waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and guided driving
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
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
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
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)
Haleakalā Downhill Bike Tour & Tasting
Coast Haleakalā’s upper switchbacks twice, then relax with an Upcountry tasting
Maui Rainforest to Sunset Guided Tour
Private drive through Maui’s rainforest, upcountry, and sunset stops
Guided Haleakalā Downhill Bike Tour
Ride Maui’s mountain roads with local insight and full bike gear
Maui Indian Challenger Motorcycle Rental
Ride Maui’s coastal roads with comfort for two and unlimited miles
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Rental in Maui
Ride Maui’s coastal roads with unlimited miles and room for two
Maui Suzuki Boulevard C50T Motorcycle Rental
Ride Maui’s coastal roads on a comfortable Suzuki cruiser
Yamaha MT-07 Motorcycle Rental in Kihei
Ride Maui’s roads your way on a Yamaha FZ-07
Maui Suzuki V-Strom 650 Motorcycle Rental
Explore Maui’s coastal and mountain roads on your own schedule
Maui Yamaha MT-03 Motorcycle Rental
Ride Maui’s Coast and Mountain Roads on a Nimble Yamaha MT-03
Maui Indian Roadmaster Motorcycle Rental
Tour Maui in comfort on an Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse
Maui 135cc Motorcycle Rental
Ride Maui’s coastal roads on a nimble 135cc street motorcycle
Maui Yamaha MT-07 Motorcycle Rental
Ride Maui’s roads with unlimited miles and route recommendations
Maui KTM Duke 390 & Yamaha MT03 Rental
Ride Maui’s coastal roads with agile, self-guided motorcycle freedom
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Rental in Maui
Ride Maui’s coastal roads on a touring Harley built for two
Maui Harley-Davidson Street Glide Rental
Ride Maui's scenic roads in comfort on a Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Rental in Maui
Explore Maui independently on a Heritage Softail
Maui Suzuki Boulevard Motorcycle Rental
Cruise Maui’s coastal roads on a Suzuki Boulevard C50T
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Motorcycle Rental in Maui
Ride Maui's coastal and mountain roads your way
Guided Sunrise Tour of Haleakalā National Park
Ride to Haleakalā's summit for sunrise, stories, and breakfast
Haleakalā Sunrise Bike Tour
Watch Haleakalā sunrise, then ride 26 miles downhill to Paia Bay
Explore Maui on a 2-Person Scooter Rental
Ride Maui together with unlimited miles and local route tips
Alpaca Picnic Lunch on Haleakalā
Hand-feed alpacas, enjoy a pasture picnic, and visit Angora bunnies
Motorcycle Rental in Maui on an Indian Scout
Ride Maui Your Way on an Indian Scout Cruiser
26-Mile Haleakala Downhill Bike Tour
Ride from Haleakala's slopes to Paia Beach Park with a local guide
Maui Indian Scout Motorcycle Rental
Set out on a self-guided Maui ride aboard an Indian Scout cruiser
Haleakalā Sunrise Guided Tour
Watch sunrise from Haleakalā’s summit with a local guide