Haleakala National Park in Maui also known in Hawaiian as “house of the sun” for the dramatic scenery. Many visitors primarily go for the sunrise and sunset viewing. It is a wonderful day trip from the beaches of Maui and offers many activities and dramatic scenery. Here are things to do in Haleakala National Park.
Getting to Haleakala Natioanal Park
It was a day trip with stops at two other attractions along the way from the main tourist areas of Maui. Driving through Maui’s “upcountry” offered a pleasant drive amidst ranches and farms.
It was a long and winding road to get to the top. Plan for at least an hour without stops if you’re in the Wailea area – more if in the Ka’anapali area.
The roads were not for those prone to motion or altitude sickness but everyone in our group including the kids were all fine going up. Going down though was a different matter as my husband drove a little faster downhill and made a couple of us car sick.
Stop at the Haleakala Visitors Center
Our first stop was the park headquarter’s building for a restroom break and to get the Junior Rangers activity booklet. There were merchandise sold here too and some ranger talks. If you have time, the ranger talks are very educational.
It was absolutely amazing as we slowly ascended to 10,000 feet and suddenly found ourselves high above the clouds on a bright and clear day.
My kids have always wanted to touch the clouds (as many of us probably did at one time or another) and were given the opportunity during the drive as we passed through them. My son was a bit disappointed that it didn’t feel like the cotton ball he expected.
But, at least they can finally say they got to touch clouds. There were plenty of overlooks for sky and cloud watching. For astronomy buffs, nighttime here would be an ideal location.
Visit the Haleakala National Park Summit Area
The highlight of the park is the summit area which was the volcanic mountaintop and crater. There was a visitor’s center with restrooms and more merchandise here.
There were also glass windows all around that offered panoramic views of the summit landscape. It was pretty cold and windy here despite the sun being out so we really appreciated the indoor observation deck.
The view of the summit was simply breathtaking. It looked like a colorful painting with a combination of a desert and another planet’s landscape. There were no words to describe it and these pictures did not do them any justice.
There were plenty of lookouts to admire this surreal scenery. We saw some hikers on the summit paved trail including some on horseback.
Visit the Haleakala Observatory
We also briefly explored the Haleakala Observatory where the satellites were located. It was a short drive up on a side road from the summit visitor’s center. There were short paved trails and another indoor observation post to see a different angle of the summit and the clouds.
Participate in the Junior Ranger Program
My kids always participated in the Junior Ranger programs at the national parks we visit. It is a great way for them to learn about the parks they are visiting and the preservation of the environment.
The activities call for them to be interactive with their surroundings and at the end they come away with a sense of accomplishment for completing them. It has surprised me how they’ve come to look forward to doing these activity booklets over the years.
At Haleakala National Park, the activities were only for the 7-12 age groups. The kids needed to complete activities based on their ages and attend a ranger talk or hike.
We learned about the silversword plant and how it deals with temperature at the visitor’s center near the entrance. The silversword had silver-white hairs on long pointed leaves that could only be found here.
The kids can do activities ranging from learning Hawaiian phrases, identifying native plants and animals around the park to studying a rock with an overall message of protecting native species and taking care of the land everywhere. They learned about native Hawaiian flowers, animals and culture and earned a Junior Ranger badge.
View the Sunrise and/or Sunset
Sunrise and sunset are immensely popular times to visit Haleakalā National Park. The park’s high elevation, rugged terrain, and unique volcanic landscape create an otherworldly environment. The interplay of colors, shadows, and light against the surreal terrain and the clouds is a visual treat.
We’re not early risers so we’ve never trekked to the park to witness the sunrise. But, we were lucky enough to watch the sunset here. It is so worth the drive down in the dark afterwards which can be a bit nerve wracking.
It was an unforgettable experience and captivating spectacle. As the sun sets over the park, the sky transformed into a variety of colors that ranged from warm oranges to soft pinks.
Both sunrise and sunset visits offer a unique sense of tranquility. It was easier to fully immerse in the natural beauty with fewer visitors around.
For many, witnessing the sunrise at Haleakalā is a spiritual experience. The Hawaiian culture views Haleakalā as a sacred place and the sunrise symbolizes the birth of a new day and new opportunities.
Tips for watching the sunrise or sunset at Haleakala:
- Arrive Early: To secure a front-row seat, set your alarm clock early. The park opens at 3AM, and you’d want to be there well before sunrise. The parking lots fill up quickly, and you don’t want to have a long walk or be stuck way in the back.
We went up to Haleakala about three hours before the forecasted sunset time. We got a great parking space and secured a spot near the front of the viewing area.
- The best spot to witness sunrise or sunset is at the summit. People were well prepared here with lawn chairs and blankets to secure their spots hours before the sun rises or sets. Please check the weather forecast too. It may be sunny in Maui’s shores but the summit district can be foggy or rainy.
- Reserve in Advance: Due to the park’s popularity, you’ll need a reservation for sunrise viewing between 3 AM and 7 AM. Booking ahead ensures you won’t be turned away at the gate. Please read the details and reserve your spot online.
- Pack Essentials: Don’t forget a warm jacket, snacks, water and a flashlight for the descent back to the towns. There are fewer restrictions for sunset viewing, so you’ll have more flexibility.
- Stay for the Stars: Haleakalā is one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. If you’re a night owl, stick around after sunset to marvel at the dazzling night sky. The park even hosts stargazing programs.
- Dress Warm: Even though you’re in Maui, temperatures at the summit can drop to freezing, especially before sunrise. So, pack layers, including gloves and a warm hat.
- Mind the Altitude: The summit of Haleakalā stands at over 10,000 feet, so altitude sickness is a possibility. Take it easy, drink water, and if you’re prone to altitude sickness, consult a doctor before your visit or take some over the counter medication.
Visit the Kipahulu District
Most visitors go to the Summit District since it’s closer to Maui’s main attractions. The Kipahulu District is the lush and vibrant side of Haleakalā National Park. Known for its rich biodiversity, waterfalls, and pristine coastline, this area offers a completely different experience compared to the summit.
We visited the Kipahulu District when we did the Road to Hana journey which we highly recommend. After we reached the town of Hana, we decided to continue on the road for another 30+ minutes to explore the Kipahulu District. It was so worth it!
Go to the Seven Sacred Pools
The most popular attraction in the Kipahulu District is the Seven Sacred Pools or Pools of Oheo. It is very accessible and an easy walking trail from the visitor’s center.
The pathway went through some lush vegetation and along the cliff facing the coast. Visitors can wade or swim in the pools but is highly dependent on water conditions. Unfortunately, the pools were closed during our visit.
This cascading waterfall leads to the black sand shoreline and the rugged coast. Though, there really aren’t seven pools here and may actually be over 20 pools.
The Hawaiians don’t consider this a sacred place either. A marketing campaign named this area “sacred” to entice tourists to keep driving past Hana and explore Haleakala National Park’s Kipahulu District. It has worked out quite well for both the island and the visitors.
The cliff area had incredibly scenery. We could have spent all afternoon watching the coastline and the views here. It is such a beautiful area.
Explore the Pipiwai Trail
Venture beyond the sacred pools and hike the Pipiwai Trail. This is a four-mile roundtrip trail with a 650 ft elevation.
Many tour guides call this one of the best hikes and trails in Maui. We really enjoyed this trail and passed by streams, lush jungles and waterfalls along the way. There were some small waterfalls but the 200-ft Makahiku Falls was also quite impressive.
We hiked the first mile of the Pipiwai Trail trail to the beautiful bamboo forest. I loved the height of these trees and the tranquility that surrounded us. Despite the trail nearby, we felt like we had the bamboo grove to ourselves.
Many visitors continue on the Pipiwai trail for another mile to the Waimoku Falls overlook. However, we were short on time so we couldn’t continue. We’ll have to make sure to finish this trail when we return to Maui.
A day trip to Haleakala National Park is truly worth the long and twisty drive. The contrast of the volcanic rocks, the sight of flora and fauna only found in Haleakala and the view high above clouds were amazing and this park is not to be missed while in Maui.
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Tips to Visiting Haleakala National Park with Kids
- Visit the park’s website for all the details.
- Gas up before heading up here. There are no gas stations within the park.
- Bring snacks and water especially for the kids. There are no concessions up here.
- The drive down is on a winding road. Adults or kids prone to motion sickness should come prepared.
- Look into the sunrise and sunset tours (see below) if you don’t want to drive very early or late at night.
- Bring jackets and layer up. It got very windy and chilly up here.
Check out these Haleakala Tours!
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your family is so cute!! what an awesome experience! heading to maui this summer, will be sure to come back to remember your stops along the way!
We were looking to go here in a few weeks and I was wondering how strict they were about your son not being able to do the jr ranger badge booklet. My son is only 4.5 and has 7 badges already – many for places that said only 7 and up. He’s always been able to do the activities, so we haven’t had a problem. I don’t want to get his hopes up though if they are strict here and won’t let him get a badge!
I’m afraid they were very strict with our son. You may get lucky with a nice Park Ranger though.