Haleakalā National Park protects the massive shield volcano's 10,023 ft (3,055 m) summit crater on the Hawaiian island of Maui, along with the lush Kīpahulu rainforest district on the opposite coast. Its name means 'House of the Sun,' and the summit is world-famous for sunrise views above the clouds, plus the endemic Haleakalā silversword and the nēnē, Hawaiʻi's endangered state bird, found almost nowhere else on Earth. As of July 2026, sunrise reservations through Recreation.gov are still required for anyone entering the Summit District between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., and fees and reservation rules continue to be updated, so check the official NPS site before you go. Plan the visit as two very different worlds in one park: a volcanic desert summit and a tropical waterfall coastline.
Summit sunrise/sunset above the clouds at 10,023 ft (3,055 m)
Haleakalā silversword ('āhinahina) — a rare alpine plant found only here
Sliding Sands (Keoneheʻeheʻe) Trail down into the moon-like crater floor
Pīpīwai Trail in the Kīpahulu District — bamboo forest, a giant banyan tree, and roughly 122 m (400 ft) Waimoku Falls
ʻOheʻo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) — cascading pools tumbling to the ocean
Nēnē (Hawaiian goose) sightings — a rare endangered-species recovery success
Good to know
SafetyThe summit sits at 10,023 ft, and altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness) is common. Consider a 30-minute acclimation stop at the first visitor center, and descend if symptoms appear.
SafetyHighway 378 to the summit is narrow with continuous switchbacks. Drive slowly, watch for fatigue on the long climb, and be alert for cyclists descending the road.
SeasonSummit temperatures run roughly 30°F (about 17°C) colder than the coast, with strong wind and fast-changing weather; winter can bring snow, hail, or ice and full road closures. Check NPS alerts before driving up.
RulesA separate Recreation.gov sunrise reservation (small per-vehicle fee, on top of the entrance fee) is required for anyone entering the Summit District 3–7 a.m.; without one you will be turned away. Reservations release 60 days and 2 days out at 7 a.m. HST.
RulesDrones are prohibited throughout the park — no exceptions for personal or commercial photography without a special permit.
MannersSilverswords and nēnē are endangered and culturally significant. Stay on marked trails and overlooks, never approach or feed nēnē, and keep noise down — the summit is a sacred site to Native Hawaiians.
CautionSome third-party sites resell cheap Recreation.gov sunrise reservations at inflated markups. Book directly through the official recreation.gov site only.
Practical info
Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG) and rent a car — it's essentially the only way up; allow at least 2 hours round trip from central Maui to the summit. The Summit and Kīpahulu districts are not connected by any road inside the park, so plan them as separate trips, and confirm current entrance fees and reservation rules on nps.gov before you visit.
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