Haleakala Crater Reviews

My wife and I reserved a pass for the Haleakalā Crater for sunrise. When we got to the park entrance at 4:30am we were greeted with very bright blinding lights (not very safe when driving) when stopped and got out, we were informed that the park was closed from 3-7:00 am due that there would be too many people, and that we could come back at 7:00. What! How does that make sense? They set the pass limit and you are out in the open air. This was during the Coronavirus. I get the concern but then why open at 7:00? Also, when we asked why weren’t we notified since we bought the pass on the government site, the response was that’s not my “job”. We did get an email but it was 12 hours later. I guess standard for government work. In addition, there should have been a ranger at the start of the trek up instead of having cars travel for miles only to be made to turn around on a narrow strip of road in the dark with cars close behind.

We couldn't get sunrise tix so decided to head up from kapalua area around 2pm - got to the summit by 5 - but on the way we had great views, driving thru clouds then above 7500 feet all clear and sunny. The road is a bit challenging so we started our return before sunset but really our visit. The entry fee per car is $30 also.

There are no words to describe the view of the crater when you look down from the top of the visitor centre. It feels like you are looking at another planet and NO pictures or videos I have seen do it justice - it is possibly one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen with the naked eye. We drove up to watch sunset and whilst it was cloudy (providing limited visibility to seeing the actual sun go down due to the clouds) it was still a magical experience driving back down through the clouds. I now see why this is rated as one of the top things to do in Maui but you must see it for yourself! Just WHOWH! Some tips - bring snacks and a flask of hot coffee as it is genuinely very cold up there, the visitor centre only offers chocolate food wise (11bucks for a small bag!) and it's a good hour from the entrance of the park up to the summit. We parked our car just outside the main car park before the summit facing the sunset and waited for the sun to set before going out for pictures, that worked out the best way to watch it!

Well worth getting up early for the sunrise - get reservations in advance. We left southeast Wailea at 2:30am, which was unnecessarily early, but no traffic, drive took 90 minutes to get to summit of volcano. Would have been fine leaving 3:30am. You'll want to arrive before 5:30am to park in the top lot at the summit, as this was full by about 5:45am, and there is an attendant enforcing parking. There is a bigger lot at the visitor center near the top, which still has good views if you don't get into the top lot.

It is indeed quite cold and windy up there - I had several layers including a down jacket and winter hat. Bring snacks and drinks, and plan for at least 5 hours, longer if you're making any stops, hikes, etc.

We did the nature hike through Hosmer Grove after the sunrise, and that was really neat - lots of birds and cool trees. We used Shaka guide app for a self-guided tour of Haleakala park and enjoyed that. Our total to time was about 10 hours with all the stops and some short hikes. Worth it!

Amazing views on the drive up the mountain/volcano; however, you need to keep your eyes on the road. The are many curves and several switchbacks requiring your attention. The Summit and Second Visitor Center provide better views and a variety of hiking trails. Amazing above the clouds experience.

Although you need a reservation to go for the sunrise, if you go after breakfast, it's a nice drive with spectacular views. Make sure you check the weather forecast in advance, as the views will be diminished if you go on a rainy day.

Unfortunately you cannot predict the weather. It was really cloudy, foggy and rainy up there. It's really random: you can get a beautiful colorful sunrise or a grey starting morning. I recommend to bring with you winter jacket and warm clothes.

great to see so much up there but also along the way... worth a stop at the kula lodge and restaurant. heck check out the store there too...lots of variety, really good.

The drive to Haleakala is an amazing experience. You will drive thru several different climates and landscapes. You can see fields of lavender and protea, eucalyptus trees, beautiful views of the coast below, cows and horses. As you get close to the summit the landscape begins to look a lot like the moon and the temperature drops. So be prepared with coats. If it’s a clear day you will see amazing things. If it’s not, you’ll have a lovely view of the clouds after that spectacular drive. All good! Aloha

In a word: AMAZING.
No review will do this justice - it's something you MUST go and experience for yourself. The facilities are clean, stocked, and readily available. The very top is a wonder to behold - either go for the sunrise, or stay for the sunset - either way it's MAGICAL.

The volcanos crater was unbelievably beautiful, really just nothing like it. The people running the visitor Center were friendly and helpful. The drive was a bit challenging, nerve wracking for sure, but beautiful and a very unique experience.

A bucket list item…don’t miss this! The view from the top was worth the early wake up call. We did not do a tour, we were able to get the tickets and drove up ourselves. The drive was fine, lots of turns but none of us get car sick. It is COLD up there so bring hat, gloves and a winter coat. The sunrise starts happening about 20 minutes prior to the scheduled sunrise time, meaning the sky starts changing colors. We actually thought it was over then the sun actually rose above the clouds so don’t leave when you think it’s over. Don’t watch from the visitor center, go to the summit and watch from the observatory, way better view.

Have gone up for sunset twice in two years instead of sunrise, don’t have to get up at 2:30 a.m. and also get to see the stars in pitch black if you stay an hour or two after sunset. Bring shoes to keep your feet warm, a coat and blankets, it’s cold after the sun disappears but the combined experience of the drive itself on a clear afternoon, the sunset and the stars after dark are well worth the trip and from my perspective is a better experience than sunrise (and reservations are nor required for sunset). Also some snacks, drinks and a book or some tunes to pass the time while waiting for dark in your warm car are also useful.

I highly recommend the Shaka Guide tour app for the drive. It’s not needed to get there but has lots of interesting Maui/Haleakala history and a few tips for trails. This app is much better for the Road to Hana tour but the Haleakala tour is only $5.95 so it’s worth it for the information.

We were cold! But nevertheless, the view down into the crater was amazing. You can see the volcanoes of the Big Island in the distance. It was super special.

Awesome being above the clouds! Glad it did not rain... and thankful we drove up early! When we were headed down there was a long line at the entrance to pay.

The Haleakala Summit Park is currently closed because of a fire that started July 10, 2024.
The Haleakala National Park Website says it is closed until further notice.
Check if it has reopened before driving to the Kula area.
With the difficult terrain, Eucalyptus trees burning, and the fire fighters having to truck or fly in water, it has made fire fighting challenging.
If you phone the park and you get a busy signal that is probably because they do not have power.

Truly amazing. We were awe struck by the stark beauty. The road up to the top is long and winding. When you are at the top you are above the clouds. The colors of the rock were red, orange, black and brown. In the distance you can see the blue ocean. At 10,000 feet you can feel the altitude.

Once you see the top of Haleakala and look down the crater valley, then you will know what moonscape would look like. It is a barren jagged rocky place with no visible life. If you are in a t shirt you will be freezing with the temps in the 30s while it is 70 on the seashore. It is stark but beautiful and on a clear day you can see all the islands excpet Kauai and Niihau.

I recommend seeing it, it was nothing like i envisioned. Larg3 crater puffing, and steam holes all around. Very amazing experience.

We drove up 10,000 feet to arrive at the top of the Haleakalā Crater in the National Park. Do be careful at the top as the high altitude may affect you & the last steps to climb ( optional ) may make you breathy.
Make sure you bring a coat or jumper as it can be cold & windy.
At the top there are incredible views & it was straightforward to drive up. It’s $30 entry for each car & there’s a visitor centre that has maps & information. Lots of folk are up here between 3am-10am but we drove up around 2pm & we watched the sunset which was lovely. Do not miss. The scenery is stunning.

Absolutely amazing! 60 days before our trip I reserved a few dates to see the sunrise. There are only a set amount of parking spots so you must have a reservation for sunrise viewing. It is very cold up there even though you're in Maui. Bring a hat, gloves, wear layers of clothes and bring a blanket or beach towel to stay warm. Both times we went the wind chill so cold! So beautiful to see, a must do if vacationing in Maui!

Haleakala at sunrise
We made our reservation but it was cancelled due to weather on Haleakala so we did not get to this. It was open the day before and the days after, however they would not accommodate us even though they cancelled. Because of that I would suggest to use multiple people to make more than one reservation to ensure you get to do this.

This is THE sunrise location in Maui - and you will need to book a permit in advance. I was staying in Lahaina, so had to drive 2.5 hours in complete darkness (I left around 2.30/3am) & was very lucky to get a bit of heavy rain on the way too which unfortunately didn't clear by sunrise so I didn't get quite the same views I saw online. But I enjoyed the adventure of it all!

PERMIT: You will need a sunrise permit from recreation.gov, book in advance (the park ranger couldn't find my booking in his documents, luckily I had an email to evidence it, but he almost didn't believe I had been able to get a permit the day before).

TROUBLESHOOTING - ISSUES BOOKING THE PERMIT ONLINE - The permit costs $1 USD, however I had an issue with the website accepting my card & had to call to book it over the phone, refreshing my booking every 5 minutes to hold onto the permit. If you have the same issue, DON'T let the booking expire, or someone else will snatch it up!

WEATHER - If you have the flexibility, I would certainly recommend guiding your sunrise day choice by a weather report. And have something warm to wear - it got pretty freezing.

GUIDE/TOURS - Many people were there as part of a tour group, this is not my preference, but they're available (& from what I could tell, quite pricey).

Very cool to make the drive and see the view from that elevation. Nice half day trip. I suggest packing a lunch and stop at one of the wonderful view spots and make a lunch stop out of it. Was fun to go from a hot beach through rain and into 40 degree mountains. Bring a warm sweatshirt if you get cold easy. Loved the views the entire way up and down.

Sunrise from the top of Haleakala was a spiritual experience. Getting the sunrise pass was a difficult task. The Saturday passes didn't even show up in my browser. The Monday tickets sold out in about 30 seconds. I recommend doing a trial run of ordering these tickets. The first time I did this, it asked me questions to confirm that I was a human and the tickets were gone before I got them. Another time, I wasn't signed in and lost the tickets by the time I signed in. These tickets go fast.

Get to the summit no less than 30 minutes before sunrise which means you want to be at the entrance gate about an hour and a half before sunrise. We saw a couple cars driving up the road after the sun had already risen.

Be prepared for people to be close at the peak. It's not possible to maintain

We were planning this trip for a while, decided in between going up there for the sunrise or rather sunset. We choose the latest. Started driving up at about 2pm and got up to the visitor centre at the top at about 3:15. The view is unreal! The only other place we could compare it was Grand Canyon. Wow! We hiked first “the little trail” then went to “Sliding sands”. Just be aware that you have to hike back, which much harder and slower. If you planning on watching sunset, be on the peak’s parking lot at least an hour before. Have your warm clothes, camera and food (optional) ready. Also, be ready for a crazy drive down after all.

This is a must see.
We took a tour up, got picked up at 2:00am. It was worth everything.
I felt close to a higher being, whatever that may be.
It’s indescribable.
We had the sunrise facing us, and the moon behind us.
Dress warm.
You will not regret it.
And a fun fact - the elevation is higher than Mount Everest!

We read up on the Haleakala National Park experience and decided the sunset view was easier to deal with than the sunrise one. After having a quick lunch in Kahului, we began the two hour drive to the crater.

The first 2500 feet of the climb were not much differrent than any other road in Maui but beyond that the road began to have more and more tight turns as well as other obstacles. Above 4000 feet there is open range cattle grazing to add to the surprises on the road! At least most of the cows stayed out of the way.

At 6000 feet you begin driving througbh the cloud deck and only emerge from it and the wooded area when you reach the park entrance at 6500 feet. It is still 22 miles to the crater from there and it is all uphill and with VERY tight and twisty turns. There are no guard rails and in some place about a 400 drop if you go off the road.

The visitor's center was at 9740 feet with the summit another 300 feet up the volcano. The site looks down into the crater and shows the various cones from previous eruptions with the last one being in the 18th Century.

Looking the other way you get a magnificent sunset into the horizon which is worth the trip!!!

Going down is easier if you have a selectable transmission and can put the car in 2nd or 3rd gear to keep speeds down.

Overall a real unique experience

Bring a warm jacket with hood (& even gloves) and thoroughly enjoy this marvelous dormant volcano at the most precious time of day... sunrise! At 10,000' even in the tropics, the winds can be very cold, but the sights you can behold on a clear morning are stupendous!!! Plus there are endangered species of plants and wildlife about... some that you can see nowhere but on Maui in Hawaii. Go on your own by snagging a ticket at Recreation.gov OR get a lot more information and insight by booking a tour through Polynesian Adventures. (Get Preston as your guide if at all possible. His knowledge and great humor put a tour experience straight over the top!)

If you are fortunate to be here when there aren't heavy clouds, the views at the summit of Haleakalā National Park are spectacular. After making the 1 hour long drive up the twisting and turning Haleakala Highway, I arrived at around 1030am to find perfectly clear skies and incredible views. My plan was to hike the Sliding Sands Trail which leaves from near the visitor center and takes you all the way down to the bottom of the crater and after hiking across the crater floor, you exit by climbing up a series of switchbacks to the Halmau'u Trailhead which sits at an elevation that is about 2000ft lower than when you started sparing you some of the work of exiting the crater. To accomplish this, I parked at the Halemau'u Trailhead which is where the trail ends and was able to hitch a ride from a passing car to the summit where the hike begins. There is a designated spot where hikers should stand, and we waited just a few minutes before a helpful driver stopped. Most including myself aren't probably into picking up hitchhikers, but I would encourage anyone making the drive to not hesitate to pick up any waiting hikers as this is the expected practice at the park. The hike was incredibly strenuous and took 6 hours. The most challenging portion is the last 2 hours of climbing out of the crater which requires a 1000ft ascent through endless switchbacks. It was absolutely brutal. It required as much mental stamina as physical stamina. You are also at high elevation which adds to the difficulty. Hiking poles were essential. However, this was one of the most incredible hiking experiences I have done especially as I was fortunate to have clear weather conditions for the first few hours of the hike. It was like being on another planet. Even after the clouds rolled in, it just added to the mysteriousness of the place, and it was still amazing. It is said that watching sunrise at the summit of the crater is an almost spiritual experience. However, this requires being on the road by 4-430am if staying at Ka'anapali Beach and driving up the Crater Road in the dark. You will also need to make a reservation online for entry in one of the two windows available which are at 60 days in advance or 2 days in advance. Tickets sell out quickly and you best be ready to make the request just after 7am Hawaii time to secure a ticket. There are a few options from where to watch the sunrise. Red Hill Summit is the true highest point and is said to be the best location, but the White Hill Trail (Pā Kaʻoao) closer to the visitor center also provides excellent unobstructed views of the crater. It should also be said that even if it is 80F at the beach, it can be in the 30-40s at the summit. Bring warm clothes including a jacket if you plan to be up here watching sunrise.

We were told not to bother making the winding, slow drive to the summit in the afternoon because clouds most often obscure any view of the volcano's crater, but we had time and we like to drive windy roads, and so we went. We were not disappointed! It was crystal clear at 10,000 feet; the clouds were below us, and the crater was fully visible. We did not have time for a hike along the trails. The road is pleasant to drive, with great views of the valley (if clouds cooperate) and lots of good curves for a convertible. It's cold on top, but the observation hut provides a break from the breeze.

It was well worth the trip to see the sunset from the 10,000 ft high Haleakala Crater. The 25 sq mi floor of the crater is an awesome sight with the numerous cone craters and volcanic ash hills and the colorful surroundings. There are a few trails around the crater to get better views from higher up into the 2,600 ft deep crater. The 10 mi road up is well paved with a lot of switch backs.We went through dense clouds for a third of the way up then brilliant sun above the clouds. Great views from the road near the top but a white knuckle ride down in the dark after sunset. Must do unique trip of a lifetime.

This was the first place I’ve travelled to (EVER), where I truly felt I was far away from home...and almost out of this world! It could be the fact that the wind is your only ambient noise; it could be the 10,000 foot altitude; it could be the temperature drop - 25 C at the base and 7 degrees C at the top of the crater; or it could be the white observatories sitting nearby, that add to the other-worldly feel!
I loved it. We went into the Visitors Centre (and witnessed two boys taking their Ranger Oath - cool), spent time in the observation shelter (worth it) and then walked the beginning of the shifting sands trail. You can venture out on a much longer hike (I believe there are 1-hour, 4-hour and overnight hikes), if that’s your desire.
A natural high!!

The way up from Kihei took about an hour and a half, passing the clouds down to the road in a few places. Between the clouds - the valley looks impressive and beautiful. Got to the top and saw the summit, unfortunately the clouds hide anything below. Worth the trip anyway.

Gorgeous crater. Gorgeous views from 10,000 feet up. The only negative was the tremendous wind when we went up. We planned to hike a little but it was too windy.

Be prepared for an hour of hair pin turns to get to the summit but it’s breathtaking!! It’s cold so bring long sleeves. Tolerable if you forget. You won’t take enough Video and pics to justify the views. No accessibility issues to this hike

I never knew it could be so cold in Hawaii but it is absolutely freezing at the top. This is the only volcano I've ever been to that you can drive all the way to the top. Get your own car and drive up to the top so you can go at your own pace. The views are amazing and the cliffs and turns are nailbitting but its awesome. At the top the air force and us geographic society has several weather stations and observatories there. There is also a place to get a hot drink too. Dress warm and enjoy.

You need to be lucky… we were not as we got deep fog from 6am to 7.30am on the day we went up there BUT when the winds were pushing the fog away the views were outstanding. So if you are lucky and the sky is clear, it will be an amazing journey. We strongly recommend your try.
You dont need to go by 3am though. Being there by 5 or 5.30am is enough as long as you have a reservation.

The journey was fantastic. Slow winding drive going up the sides of this extinct volcano. Unfortunately, it was very cloudy the dAy we visited so no views of anything other than the immediate area and the clouds (no view of neighboring islands or the rest of Maui) - BUT the summit was fantastic! It was an extremely high wind day, but we braved the gusts to find shelter in the viewing area and got to look at the crater in all its rocky barren glory. If you can join a bike group (to ride down!) that's awesome - we did that many years ago, but at age 77 driving was the only realistic option for us this time. Bring a jacket or hoodie for the summit area - it's definitely much cooler than the beaches.

I have no idea how people get sunrise tickets to visit "Haleakala Crater" as seemingly they sell out in milliseconds. I tried on a handful of occasions right when tickets open and before you can say "Aloha!" they were gone. The park service really needs a better system of doling out tickets. First come first serve is all well and good, but whatever internal system they do have in place clearly is not acceptable. It really is a "luck of the draw" situation. I was told by locals when I was on Maui that sunrise is very much an overblown overrated experience made way too popular by tourists. It was recommended that if I return sunset is just as grand and the road is better to going down at night then vice versa.

That being said the Crater itself was beautiful when I visited around 1:00 PM on a weekday. I've read other people say the terrain reminds them of Mars and it really does! It's otherworldly out there and really a one-of-a-kind experience. We drove out from Lahaina and while it does take a while, it's an easy drive. The road is VERY well maintained by the park service.

I've heard it said don't trust the GPS and double the time it says the drive will take, but we didn't have that experience. Maybe that's more of an issue coming up in the dead of night in a caravan of cars trying to make it to sunset. Another reason to maybe pass on that experience.

One aspect I was not prepared for was bugs. Not just a few bugs, but swarms of them. I'm unsure if it was the time of day or time of year but they were out in full force. They will blanket any stationary object, including you, if you allow it. They're not dangerous just annoying. If you do visit in the afternoon keep that in mind. We managed but it is a detractor.

This was a very fun trip. The elevation change and views are amazing. I bet a sunrise would be breathtaking. The weather wasn’t great on the day we went so there were a bunch of clouds but still very neat and worth the trip once.

When in Hawaii, you can't miss visiting a Volcano can you? This was a looooong drive up, but the views are amazing.

We almost passed on the trip up to Haleakala. We thought it might be too cloudy and rainy. But sure glad we decided to go it’s a beautiful drive even with the clouds. You still get moments of breaks in the clouds with stunning views of the coast. Driving from the ocean, through the rain forest and up to what looks like a moon scape at the top is quite amazing. It was very windy and cold at the top so bring the appropriate clothes specially if you want to hike around for any length of time! And on the way down stop for lunch at Kula Bistro it’s the best!

We drove up to the summit today. It was stunning. The photos above the clouds were really once in a life time. The views of the crater looked other worldly. It was breath taking. Also really windy and chilly.

The whole drive up and back is amazingly beautiful. Watch your step hiking but do venture out. Don’t miss the Leleiwi overlook for your first glimpse.

Want to see sunrise over Haleakala? Go early in your trip (getting up at 3AM is easier when your body still thinks it's 6AM+), don't forget your National Park's Pass & GET A RESERVATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL PARK EARLY! Also bring warm clothing-it was 42 F & felt 37F the morning we were there. It was a beautiful sunrise & worth the drive.

Amazing so worth it. View is awesome, road is not bad. Park rangers are nice. Lots of space to maintain social distance. The sunrise is amazing but you need permits months in advance. They will not let you in until after 0700 am. The park has a $35 fee so get a national park pass to save money. I loved it would go back in a heart beat. It’s cold up top and I never get cold. Bring a coat.

Used Valley Isle tours. Absolutely wonderful!! Terrific driver and tour guide. The tour itself was fantastic . They included Upcountry Maui and the Iao Valley. A wonderful day. FYI - we were very well fed!!!

At 10023feet the air is thin and the lungs were painfully aking by the time I reached back to the top after 9km and over 3000m elevation gain. This is absolutely the closest you can come feeling like running on the surface of the moon. Have run many mountains around the world, but this was a fantastic running experience out of the ordinary.

First and foremost. It's cold. Bring your pants and sweater and beanie. Temps got to about 40 degrees with the windchill and this was sunset. This was that "North of the Wall" cold they talk about in Game of Thrones. Compared to below where it's like a 40 degree difference.

Second, if you're driving up, make sure you don't get carsick and make sure you have an attentive driver, the corners could prove disastrous.

Third, on your way down if it's night time and there's no light, there are cattle grazing all over, some of them walk in the middle of the road, so be cautious. If you are going up for sunset like I did, you'll see them grazing all over the place.

Fourth, enjoy the view! Laugh at the people who wore shorts and t-shirts up there, because if they don't look like it, they are freezing their asses off.

Overall, it's a cool experience. You're way above the clouds and the temperature change is just nuts. It's crazy because the higher you go up the less and less green/vegetation you see. Take a look at my pics, those were the only plants up there. It looked like you were headed into Mordor to return the Ring of Power

Haleakala is definitely a must see if you are in Maui. It is approx. 1.5hrs from Wailea. Take your time and drive within the posted speed limit as the drive is tricky. Aim to get there for 4:30pm as parking is limited at the summit and you will want to get spots to watch the sunset. The sunset is worth it. We did the sunrise several years ago and the sunset was equally if not more enjoyable as the temperature was decent until the sun set. If you want to star gaze, you need to stay until at least 7:45pm. You can stay in the car and go outside when the stars are out to stay warm. Make sure you dress warm and bring blankets if you can. It definitely gets cold once the sun is gone.

I'm not a fan of the drive necessary to get to the top (switchbacks, sheer drops, blind curves, weather) and was terrified to do it in the dark, even though all reports are that you should get there for sunrise. The photos look beautiful, but I couldn't do it (after already having done the Road to Hana, with all of that PLUS one-lane bridges!). If you think the sunrise is for you, though, be sure you get reservations - they only allow so many cars, so either snag tickets yourself (there's a dedicated web page - you have to buy them in advance) or go on a tour, and leave the driving to them! (I did hear that you have to leave much earlier in the wee hours of the morning if you do the group tour, because they have pickups at different hotels).

We went mid-day, even though the weather wasn't promising (rain and fog as we drove up) but not a drop of rain once we got to the top. It was amazing - we were below some clouds but above others (I've included a photo) and despite those clouds, we still had views of water, land, and the observatory on the next peak over.

Definitely stop at the Visitor's Centers along the way (one was closed for renovations when we were there) because if nothing else, the Park Rangers have weather information for the summit, and are happy to share.

Silver-looking plants amid the red rock made the landscape seem other-worldly - you can imagine it standing in for some other planet in a movie.

The other thing to know is that once you buy your National Park ticket for this part of the park (there's another at the end of the Road to Hana) it's good for 3 days, so you'll want to plan to do both parks, or a return visit if you like, within those 3 days you've paid for. (Or get the annual park pass that gives you admission to all 2000 parks in the system for $80/year).

The view from the crater is magnificent! It is “other worldly” looking into it and remarkable looking around. You can see many other islands including the Big Island from the top. I suggest skipping the crowded, unpredictable sunrise and go for the lesser known sunset. Just as beautiful and you’ll know in advance if it will be clear since it’s a long drive to the summit! If you are a scuba diver, remember that the summit is 10,000 feet so plan accordingly.

Kalei drove us on the very winding and steep road to the top of Haleakala Crater. It was an amazing trip with beautiful scenery going up then we went through the cloud layer to view the crater above cloud level. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’m so glad is had Kalei and his experience to get me safely to the top. Thank you Polynesian Adventure Tours.

This should be experience at least once. If you get car sick easily, then be prepared, extremely windy roads. We did the sunset because we were unable to get sunrise tickets. However, as we were traveling up, I notice there are several roadside overlooks you can experience the sunrise without reservations(before entering the park). It’s beautiful, but also just as beautiful as sunrises and sunsets on the ocean.
Side note- sunset parking lot was crazy crowded. Get there early

Beautiful view, try to go on a clear day. It’s a bit of a climb to get to the top with a fantastic view. Be sure you bring a jacket, it’s colder up top & can be windy. Take your time on the drive, enjoy the journey. We saw a spectacular sunset, one to remember

Very disappointing that we drove all the way there and were told where we pay that they weren’t advising anyone to go up until flash flooding was over so we had to miss sunrise with no chance to reschedule. Then we paid the $30 and we drove up once the flash flood warning was over just to get a horrible view of white clouds/fog. Literally couldn’t see any view at all. Very sad.

Don't come to Maui if you don't plan to go to the top of the volcano
The trip up and down is awe inspiring
Some of the best beauty I have witnessed
They summit even tops that
Incredibly clean facilities
Takes a bit of time but worth every minute

The sunrise is a sight to see! Book tickets early as sunrise tickets are by reservation only and there’s a limited number. The drive up to the top of the crater is beautiful - it’ll be dark obviously on the way up if you watch the sunrise, but just drive slowly. After watching the sun come up, would recommend the Halemau’u Overlook Trail for some great sights of the crater. We packed a light breakfast, coffee, and snacks so that we didn’t feel rushed to leave the park to go eat. Would recommend!

When we visit Hawaii, we alwavs get a Converible as our Rental Car. The Locals call the Drive up Mount Haleakala as the Sea to Sky Drive. The Views are Magnificent and are not to be missed.

This was nice to see. We stayed at the top, but with more time I would like to hike further into the crater.

This was gorgeous. You have to see this. Make sure you bring a jacket. It is chilling and windy. And you see alot of beautiful sites along the way. We got to see a Nana goose.

The views and the sights are simply amazing. The clouds and changes of warm and cool offer a unique experience in how quickly the temperatures and conditions can change.

The clouds also offer a unique and different experience given the sunlight impacts the color within the crater. Did not do much hiking on this occasion but there are trails into the crater for those who come prepared.

Overall a fabulous experience

We took the drive up to Haleakala to experience it. I know it can get cloudy and block the view up there. We were so lucky that once we got up you could still see the whole crater. My one daughter said it looked like outer space. We took full advantage of the views and captured so many great photos. You can not explain this experience, this is something that you have to see in person. The highway can be a little intimidating but just take your time and enjoy it.

We drove to the top and viewed from the lookout. The views are amazing. There are also several trails from the lower parking lot which are worthwhile. We did part of the sliding sands trail, and the views were amazing. Go early to get there before the clouds settle in over the mountaintop. It’s at 10,000 feet above sea level, so there are definitely some affects if you are not used to that elevation.

Great experience both with the driving (great views from the road) and good trails at the summit. Did not walk all the way down to the crater but walked the easier trails and had a good time and great pictures as a family of 4. Trails are “easy” but steps are sometimes irregular and high and that makes it more difficult. For experienced hikers - great trails - for inexperienced - would consider doing the easier trails. Tips: bring water or re-useable water bottles. Remember it gets colder at the summit (maybe 50-60 degrees when the sea level beach is 85 degrees). Good places to stop and eat after hiking in the Kula area. Italian, and a American….

We came here for the sunrise and then took a bike tour down the mountain. We are from Chicago and can handle cold weather but this was extremely cold and windy! It’s the wind chill that gets to you, so bring warm clothes and enjoy the other worldly experience of the sunrise and stunning views into the crater. Next time we’d love to hike around the park or into the crater. But the bike ride down was awesome and totally worth the 2:30am wake up time and hour drive to the tour company!

This was a magnificent trip. The sunrise was breathtaking and being over the clouds was surreal. Our tour guide Preston from Polynesian tours was OUTSTANDING! he was so kind, considerate and informative. Along the way he pointed out facts and made sure we got the best view and experience possible. He is very good at his job but made it seem like he was on the journey along with us as opposed to it being a routine stop. Its very cold on top of the crater (winter cold) so make sure you dress very warm! I’m talking ear muffs, gloves, coat and boots. You’ll be standing there for over an hour waiting for the beautiful sun to rise. (If you’re able, bring a thermos of hot coffee with you. That is never a bad idea. 😉)The view is all dependent on the weather which cannot be controlled but thankfully we had a magnificent clear sunrise. After the tour we headed down the mountain to Kula lodge for breakfast. It was simple and exactly what we all wanted after an early rise to the day and being cold. It’s located on a beautiful garden which you can walk around.

The sunrise is spectacular but that is another TripAdvisor review. This crater is the result of the spectacle that only millions of years of earth's movement can provide. Like the Grand Canyon, the scale and beauty of this place is hard to describe in words. Take a look at my pics, that's the best way to describe it.

The road to the top is well maintained but I recommend going on a guided tour so you don't miss anything on the way up and down on this beautiful route.

Amazing views and totally unique terrain. We made a reservation to catch the sunrise, although we barely made it. Make sure to keep in mind when planning travel time that it takes a little under 30 minutes to drive to the summit from the park entrance. Sunrise was beautiful, and we did some hiking on the Sliding Sands Trail right after - we had it pretty much to ourselves, which was awesome. It got a little busier as the morning went on. Do keep in mind that you start by going down, and going up is way nastier, especially with the elevation. We’re active hikers, and we have never had such a hard time catching our breath after all our time living at sea level. Extremely beautiful park - so glad we didn’t miss it.

This ia a huge volcano! It's like many volcanos, not just one. The interior is very cold, due to the elevation, on a cloudy day, but as the clouds go, it really heats up. Definitely, layer for this hike.

Well it needs to be done at least once. My first time was 21 years ago and I went with an organised tour. This time we took the kids and I decided to drive myself. Got up there about 4:30am. I knew it was cold but was not prepared for the extreme conditions this time. I was rugged up but the temperature must have been well below freezing and the winds were blowing like a hurricane.

In all honesty, we had really bad timing given that the weather is SO unpredictable. I'm sure the crater is fantastic if you are lucky enough to have decent weather....it's not the crater's fault that we had a lousy time. We were just miffed that we sacrificed a day at the beach to go to the crater. The drive was beautiful, but VERY long and VERY twisty...we were all carsick by the time we got to the top. We subsequently paid the expensive entry fee of $30 per car to get into the park. It was raining hard with dense fog and only about 10 feet of visibility when we arrived at the crater mid afternoon. The freezing cold air and blowing rain were miserable, akin to an Antarctic blizzard...we walked around for less than 2 minutes and ran back to our car soaked to the bone. The most frustrating part of all is that the weather COMPLETELY cleared around sunset after we called our visit a bust and drove the 30-40 minute descent to get to the base of the volcano....like Mother Nature was tormenting us. Bottom line....be prepared for a huge weather gamble if you decide to do this!

Amazing views inside the crater of all the cinder cones and if you stop at some of the other overlooks, the hiking trail that runs down the crater wall and across the floor to the other side (too far to see). Then turn around and look at Maui and the ocean and if you plan it right, see the clouds below or at your level gathering against the crater walls. Incredible views and experience.
Be prepared for cold temperatures and strong winds. We'd also recommend paying attention to the weather forecast so you don't find yourself on top with no views.

Amazing view from the Summit! Well worth the trip.

Since we didn't plan ahead, we were lucky enough to land one of the 50 reservations released 48 hours in advance. Need a quick hand right at 7am local time. 4/5/23.

Wakeup call at 2am, departed Kaanapali area at 3:15am and grabbed the last parking spot at the summit just before 5. If you don't get the summit lot, there are others. Tip, I believe the view from Kalahaku overlook may provide as good of a unrise view as the summit if you can't get a summit parking spot.

Was coolish (41 Fahrenheit) with a breeze. We were not dressed as warm as we would have liked, however manageable for the 90 minutes we were there.

Surreal view of the full moon for the first 30 minutes. Felt like we were on the moon. Peaks of color started around 5:15 am with full sunrise, above the clouds just after 6.

This has been a 'must-do' activity since I first came here in the '80's. Get up early and be there a good 45 minutes before the official sunrise. The colors are wonderful. It will be chilly (40⁰) and breezy so be prepared with warm clothes. Stay and hike up to the top for added views as the sun casts it's shadow over the landscape.
"Reservations Required" now

Breath taking night sky and view of Maui at 10,000 feet. We just missed sunset by a few minutes when we drove here, but the moon and stars were well worth it. Bring snacks, water, and plenty of layers. We were here in December and it was pretty chilly. The drive up is a little scary, lots of switchbacks. We were going to do a downhill bike, but after making the drive we’re glad we didn’t, but i’m sure it’s still awesome!

Whenever in Maui we take the drive to the top of Haleakala. For me it is as close to Heaven I can get. Stark, windy, cool and beautiful all at once. Sunrise and sunset are both amazing but nighttime star gazing is hard to beat. The view during the day at the very top allowed us to see most of the other populated islands in the state. Far off was Mona Kea with snow on the very top. No other spot in the state can you get this view by driving directly to the top. The experience is one for all - young, old, able bodied and otherwise. Unfortunately getting to the last observation area requires climbing stairs but otherwise all is accessible. Bathrooms at the lower station are clean (but the water to wash you hands must come from melted ice). Wear warm clothes or layers. The car temp told us it was about 65 F. Well then the wind chill kicked in and we were glad we had brought along more coverings. Not a place for shorts or bathing suits if you plan to walk around or enjoy the experience for more than a few minutes.

Haleakalā means “House of the Sun”, the rising sun appearing to rise from behind the massive volcano every morning when seen from the west side of the island. Per local legend, the demigod Maui imprisoned the sun here and to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day.

We visited summit of Haleakala twice, first the middle of the day and the second time very early one morning to catch the sunrise. We were at the peak well before sunrise and when we arrived the sky was incredibly clear and there was no light pollution. It was also extremely cold at that time, just above freezing, compared to Venus was the brightest celestial body in that morning. We even spotted a few shooting stars. The prevailing wind blowing off the ocean, however, meant clouds would suddenly form as the moisture-laden air hits colder temperatures and our unrestricted view of the heavens disappeared. The clouds filled in and flowed out of the valleys below us and made for interesting viewing both at sunrise and during the day. The passing clouds also suddenly completely - but only temporarily - obscure the crater.

It is an otherworldly vista at the summit and at the Haleakalā “Crater”. Technically-speaking crater is a misnomer The multicolored cinder cones here are called Pu’u in Hawaiian. We did not venture down the Sliding Sands trail, but took short hikes to overlooks close to the road. Be sure to check out the visitors center overlooking the crater, a short drive down from the summit.

We spotted ring-necked pheasants on the drive up as well as numerous pale partridges at the summit. Both birds were introduced avifauna species. White settlers brought many animals with them for hunting including the ring-necked pheasant from Europe and a partridge from India, the Chukar. It was obviously comfortable at high altitude.

We also saw many Haleakalā Silversword, white-leafed plants that grow only on this mountain between 7000 and 10000 feet. The Hawaiian name is 'ahinahina (“very grey”). It has evolved adaptations allowing it to survive in the harsh conditions. The silver color of the leaves reflects the intense sunlight at this altitude and fine hairs help collect moisture from the thin air. None were blooming which was not a surprise - they only bloom once in their 15 -50 year lifespan - but seeing so many of them is a testament to the hard work of the botanists, conservationists and the National Park Service. A century ago only about 100 Haleakalā silversword still survived near the summit. If not for their work and the creation of the national park it is likely the plant would now be extinct.

We watched the sun set rather than get up at 3:00 AM and drive to the summit to watch the sun rise. So glad we did. Definitely want to bring a jacket, warm clothes and a blanket, as you’re up over 10,000 feet and it is quite cold. Gorgeous sunset! Very memorable experience. Highly recommend.

My husband and I went up the scary road to the Haleakala Crater. After we got to the top the views were beautiful.

Not counting the beaches, if you don't do anything else on Maui, do Haleakala. It is 100% worth it, and better than the experience on Road to Hana IMO. We did not go for sunrise and the experience was still absolutely incredible. Completely breathtaking!

WOW, what fantastic views driving up to the crater, very surreal being above the clouds.

If you are coming for the sunset, don't forget to either have a jumper or a warm coat, otherwise you will be cold.

We forgot, but luckily someone loaned us a jumper.

Very surprised that there are plants growing on the crater.

The place was very crowded, everyone wanting to see the sunset. For some reason, I expected more, but no matter, it was worth the wait.

I would definitely recommend a visit, whether to see the sunset, sunrise or during the day.

My wife is not the most confident driver, and, after reading dozens of reviews of the drive up, she was very nervous about this drive in particular... til she wasn't because it's super duper easy and nothing to worry about at all. We drove up during a clear afternoon, and are so glad we did. Definitely a "peak" experience. :)

Be sure to go all the way to the top, and be sure to bring layers. I am reasonably healthy and have no weight, heart or breathing issues, but I did have to take it slow once we got about 7500 ft or so, as I could definitely feel the thinness of the air with each breath, so be prepared for that as well. Worth it though: it's like being on another planet once you get into the crater proper.

I have been to Maui three times and have not had a chance to see the Sunrise. This last trip was really tough to get a reservation. They only offered a very limited about of reservations each morning and could only try to reserve it 24 hours prior. Every morning at 7a I woke up and tried to make reservations for the following day and in literally 30 seconds all of the reservations were gone.

We finally decided to try the Sunset and wow that was beautiful. We downloaded the Shaka Maui app($30 for 6 driving tours) and followed the Sunset & Stargazing Haleakala Tour (self-guided). Totally worth it. It is about a half-day tour (4-6 hours). If you like to hike there are a few trails during this guide.

We packed a cooler and do not forget warm clothes, it gets chilly when that sun goes down. We could not find parking near the observatory, however, there was plenty of parking at the visitor's station right before the observatory with equally as great of a view of the sunset.

I would recommend adding this to your list of things to do.

We went today for noon, beautiful drive about 1 hour from Makawao. Park fee is $30 and it’s good for 3 days . Must be stunning for sunrise and sunset . Bring your winter gear and a hat as it was freezing up top with snow in places. All in all a must see while on Maui

Wow. What an experience!!! We went during the middle of the day and it was quite cool at the top. Bringing a jacket is a must. Also, it takes a while to get to the top and there isn’t any food, so stop in town and grab some snacks and drinks. As your driving up to the crater watch out for the bike riders coming down. There wasn’t to many, but the road has a lot of sharp curves and blind spots. It was $30 to enter the park and the pass was good for three days. I think they do this, because of how quick the weather changes at the top. It can go from clear to cloudy pretty quick. It is absolutely breathtaking and I will drive to the crater every time I come to Maui.

Amazing! This volcano is over 10,000 feet tall! You drive through the clouds to get there. After walking around the peak, we hiked down into the crater a ways. It looks like Mars in there. The colors are beautiful!

Would highly recommend. Great views. Good place for taking pictures. If you are going to the park anyway this is a must.

The Haleakala Volcano or in English, (the "house of the sun") forms more than three-quarters of Maui’s 727 square miles, the rest of the island is formed by another volcano, called Mauna Kahalawai, also referred to as the West Maui Mountains, but its crater is nothing in comparison to the Haleakala Crater whose tallest peak at 10,023 feet, is Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill). From the summit, you looked down into a massive depression some 7 miles across, 2 miles wide, and nearly 2,600 ft deep. Whose surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of Ahinahina plants.
The car park in the crater only holds 75 cars which is not a problem in the daytime, but for romantics wishing to see the sunrise, it is a big problem as there are no last-minute drives up allowed by the ranger at the park gate. If you do not have prearranged reservations, they will not let you enter. (it has to be booked at least one-two month in advance)
To drive up the Haleakala highway to the top without stopping on the way to admire the "moon-like" scenery will take between 1 and 1.5 hours, the sunset is just as magnificent, and not as crowded.

TIP: The last place for food or petrol is in Makawao, but there is a clean WC in the Crater car park.
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The drive up Haleakala is long, winding, & challenging…we drove up on a cloudy day—fine down below…stopped at 1st visitor center, restrooms open & ranger informative. Then the wind blew in mist/ fog; we couldn’t see more than a car length in front of us…it was scary at times & white-knuckle driving. Once we made it to the top the park ranger gave a very good educational talk inside; the question was raised-why did the ranger below allow us to continue if conditions were so bad? Answer-conditions change hourly! It was cold up there,too-we had sweatshirts! There’s a cute gift ‘area’ ; we couldn’t see 5 ft outside! Very disappointing, but you can’t control Mother Nature! Supposedly you can see the Big Island from the summit…we did consult the weather from Haleakala before our journey, so it can change quickly! In all I’d def recommend the drive-boring for young kids-need a good driver!! After all, it’s the journey that matters-not just the destination!

The car ride up is slow and long as you gain elevation at about 6000ft you’re at cloud level. You pass the ruthless cyclists pushing with every peddle stroke to go up the mountain. I can only imagine the feeling when they reach the top! It was breath taking and we only drove up. If the crowds are small enough you can find moments of utter silence. It was eerie how quiet it can be above the clouds. Amazing views.

By the time we decided to go to Maui, it was far too late to get a reservation for sunrise so we opted to do sunset. Since I haven't done both, I can't say how they really compare but we really loved sunset. We love star gazing so it was probably preferable for us.

We were staying in the Wailea area and it took less than 2 hours to drive there. We also stopped at Safeway prior and packed some snacks and salads that didn't require too much refrigeration so we could essentially have dinner up there. The drive up was a little scary but nothing horrible. It was fun driving through the clouds and once you broke through, being above the clouds was pretty. Driving back down in the dark, probably because you couldn't see the edge, was nice. Ignorance is bliss!

We should have gotten up to the top a little over an hour before sunset but the place where you pay the toll to get in took forever (and it really shouldn't have). Some people roll right through so they obviously have the pass (or they're taking a chance and not paying) but it's just a solo credit card machine and some cars/people seemed to take 3-5 minutes each to pay while it only took us 30 seconds. Not sure if there's ever a person that can take money.

So once we got through that and got to the top, we had less than 30 minutes. The upper parking lot was already full so we parked at the bottom one and walked up (which is what you're supposed to do in that case) and it was around 1/2 mile walk with no sidewalk. By the time we parked and walked up, we had less than 10 minutes and there was a decent crowd all spaced out. We got some beautiful pictures as the sun set. We did notice for people who were arriving too late to make the walk up to the upper parking lot, there was a crowd of people watching the sunset in the lower parking lot.

Within 10 minutes of the sun setting, it got windy and cold. They say it gets down to freezing in that area and I don't think it was far off. In the upper parking lot, there's a lone building that's open with no electricity, that we took shelter in off and on. Otherwise, we laid on the ground and watched the stars for about an hour. We didn't walk around too much so I'm not sure about any trails.

The lower parking lot has a handful of porta-potties that are open presumably 24/7. We used them after the sun had set.

This was one of our favorite things we did while in Maui because it wasn't terribly crowded and people dispersed quickly after the main attraction (I.e. the sun setting) was complete. We didn't see more than a dozen people after that.

The views from the summit are unique and spectacular, very different from the typical Hawaii landscape. We drove and were fine, but it does take some concentration and you will be tired at the end. Use your lower gears on the way down. We went at mid day to avoid crowds and it was not crowded. We drove through clouds on the way up but by the time we reached the summit the clouds had burned off, offering an amazing view. The changing landscape as the elevation increases was interesting. Take a jacket and be careful of the altitude. It is a steep rise and you well feel the effects at the summit.

We have done the Sunrise and yes you eed reservations and they are hard to comeby at times of the year, but no reservations are needed for the Sunset and it is absolutely worth it. To watch the sun go down under the clouds is like you are in space. It is magical, then to see the moon that close when it is so dark, the stars up there are brighter than you'll ever see them. Its worth the drive and braving the COLD (bring WARM clothes just for this, coats hat pants and be prepared to enjoy it) Take the drive up and just plan on staying a while. Nature is amazing when you just let it be.

Breath taking views and amazing sunset experience. I had the opportunity to tune in and play my Tibetan Singing bowls and do a short sound journey.

Haleakala is a spectacular site. There are many hiking trails in and near the Park. This is basically a day trip. Do this instead of Hana Hwy.

We did not have reservations, so we went early afternoon.
Had to pay $30 to get in, but all the buildings/stotes closed at noontime.
We could not see below the clouds, and it was a long drive.
So I’d say, no, it’s not worth it.

Beautiful and picturesque! Unfortunately we didn’t experience a full sunrise due to too many clouds but it’s definitely a worth exploring trip.

We made the trip to watch the sunrise! It was a close to 2 hour journey from Wailea. Park opens at 3 am to go the last 30 min up to the summit. Be aware that you must have a reservation 60 days in advance or 48 hours. Worth every bit of waking early and cold wind. Bring a hat and gloves along with a warm coat. Also go to the peak without the observatory to stay away from the crowds.

Unique experience. Impressive and wonderful sunrise, highly recommended despite the alarm clock.
Cover yourself as if it were winter

Seems like you’re on another planet. Everything has a Mars feel. From the rocks, plants to the soil. Simply amazing. The best view of the island from a planes perspective. I have fear of heights and felt very comfortable. No cliffs on the drive up. Do not miss this view!

An early start but well worth it. It was cool and clear and we witnessed a spectacular sunrise. Really, really something to experience.

We hiked 2 miles down Sliding Sands Trail and that was just right! The terrain was so unique and the views amazing! Tough hike out but worth it. Many photo ops.

This is the 2nd time I viewed the sunrise over Haleakala Crater. It is spectacular! It is important you dress warmly with a number of layers and maybe even an additional fleece blanket because it is cold at 5 am. I did this 7 years ago and now you either need to be on a tour or make sure you make a reservation for the sunrise viewing. I am guessing due to crowding they had to implement a pass system.

We booked at 7am when tickets went live two days before, when the forecast looked good for the sunrise trip. Left Lahaina at 3.30am. Bought coffee in Kahului (gas station) at 4.30am. When we got to the park entrance and paid our $30 we were told we couldn’t get to the top due to road conditions and we may not see the sunrise. We decided to plough on but we had to park well below the crater facing the wrong direction to see the sunrise. It was icy and cold and low cloud cover impeded visibility. We needed the restroom so we ended up going down to a lower parking area with restroom before sunrise. Nothing special about the sunrise at that level - it just got light. No colours or atmosphere. That’s the risk you take when you have to decide two days ahead.

We had not realised that the elevation is this high. We suggest people with breathing issues not visit. That was the only bad aspect about this rugged, nice, desolate place.

Al our driver made our experience or trip way better. Better knowledgeable abt the whole Haleakala sunrise experience. The sunrise is a bucket list and must do. Worth on how much we paid rather than driving on ur own. The shuttle was 15 minutes late but it’s out of his control. He can’t be on all places at one time. The company needs to do better on that part coordinating on time pick ups especially its way too early in the morning.

Don’t make the same mistake as we did by walking just a bit too far on the Sliding Sands trail, as it’s hard work climbing back up in the soft volcanic soil. We ended up having to rush back up, or else we’d have might’ve missed the sunset! Quite a workout, as it turned out.

The sunset’s great, of course, and you’ll need to layer-up against the cold - we decided to stick around afterwards and do some stargazing.

The road up & down’s actually not that bad to drive; the altitude actually caused a bag of crisps to expand & explode all over the backseat of our car!

Absolutely cool place to check out. Bring a sweatshirt and tennis shoes-gets cooler up there. If you get car sick... Bring your meds.

When planning your trip to the summit, make sure to include a warm jacket on your checklist! On a clear day, it gets extremely windy and bitterly cold; however, the awe-inspiring views you're treated to (especially as you ascent above the clouds) are guaranteed to make you forget the cons about traveling to the crater. It's like being a on a different planet altogether. The trip starts out with lush views of the ocean and valley; then as the elevation increases, the landscape dramatically changes. Be aware though that if you wish to see the sunrise, a RESERVATION IS REQUIRED. Spots become available at 7 AM Hawaiian time two days before your planned visit date. The drive to and from the crater is relatively easy; however, it involves a lot of hairpin turns and there are no lights to guide you in the dark. Nevertheless, it's worth a visit.

For perspective, in my opinion, this sunrise was more incredible and magical than the sunsets I saw in Santorini just 8 weeks prior.

Forget the bus tours and book your reservation 7 days in advance though the National Park Service. Log on to the website at 7 AM because the limited passes supposedly sell out in 15 minutes according the NPS site.

Driving up in the dark is a crazy experience itself. You’ll be amazed on your way back down in daylight to see what you traversed. Get there early and nap in your car if you’re too early.

Instead of viewing from where all the tour bus people stand near the visitors center building, take the very short hiking trail off to the right for a much more quiet and private experience up about everyone else. It’s only 100 yards or so. Bring a flashlight or use your phone’s.

The advantage of not doing the bus tours is you’re not rushed to get back and you have time to explore the area, which only takes an extra hour or two depending on your pace. And obviously, dress warm.

There are some stunning views along the road to the crater, with your own car you can drive all the way to the top, the crater is absolutely stunning, but it is incredibly cold up there especially after sunset, don't forget to bring your winter coat.

Beautiful views but windy and chilly. Glad we made the journey up the mountain to see this amazing site. We did not do the sunrise or sunset but I am sure they are worth going to.

We went to Haleakala in the middle of the day. Not sunrise nor sunset and it was breathtaking! We did not have to deal with reservations and there was very little traffic to and from the crater summit. Parking was plenty and easy.
It was a beautiful day and this site is not to be missed. The views are unreal and the feeling of being above the clouds is magical.

It's chilly up there but the sunrise is absolutely incredible! It's one of the most beautiful view and unique experience in the world. If you visit Maui, allocate one or two "early" mornings to see the sunrise (we were there in early Oct, we got up at 3:15am as the driving takes more than 1.5 hour depending where you stay). We went up twice because it was too foggy the first time. We were so thankful that we viewed the amazing sunrise the second time. It's usually windy and very cold up there. Dress winter jacket, wear a warm hat, scarf, and mitten. Also, you want to make parking reservation (two months prior) in order to drive up to the summit before sunrise ($1 per car). Around 60 tickets will be released two days prior, but you will need to click to purchase right away at the releasing time or you won't be able to get the ticket. If you don't want to drive up, you can go with one of the tour companies. The driving is not difficult though.

The ride up to the crater is just as breathtaking as the crater. There are several hikes and places to stop to take in the views. A must do while on Maui!!

Worth every bit of the hour drive up and walking around. You must take almost a whole day to experience it right. The drive through the national park is about an hour to the top, and there are look out points on the drive up. Once on top, you can many hikes around and down into the crater. Going down into the crater is just beautiful, the layers of rock give off different hues of colors and is so picturesque. Unfortunate for me I only had a couple hours to explore so I didn't get to go far down into the crater. But many people were exploring, as I could see them down below. Take the time to take it all in. Also a very cool thing we did. On our journey driving back through the national park we stopped at a lookout point (which you must do) and we left our Leis on a rock. We had celebrated our 35 wedding anniversary and friends gave us the leis. We knew we couldn't take them home due to laws so we found a beautiful overlook and laid them there. I will always remember how special that was.

It is the place you must visit in Maui!! You will not be disappointed in it . I enjoy the whole driveway, although the elevation there is so high ( almost 3000m) and I have headache. But the view is amazing , it is hard to use words to explain it . It looks like I drive in the clouds.

虽然差不多3000米的海拔，一路开车上山，一路有些高原反应：耳鸣和头痛. 但是看到那样的美景，什么都值得. 驾车于云海之中，那种感觉很神奇. 无法用言语表达！

We decided to go to the Red Hill Peak in the late afternoon.

Entered the park (first Visitor Center) around 4 pm, giving us about 30 minutes to get to the second Visit Center.

The day was gorgeous. As is typical, there is some cloud cover, obstructing your views to the bottom.

Nevertheless, we could see pockets of the North part of the Island, pockets of Ocean to the West, and clear as in your hand, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the big island. We could also see the silhouette of another Island to the North / North/West, which was probably Lana'i.

We did the little walks around the second visitor center, and the peak, which was good enough for us.

Temperature was around 55-60F, sunny. UV radiation was super high, judging by our UV meters. So, cover up, and use a lot of sun-screen. We opted for light jackets and long pants, and hiking boots.

At around 5:00 pm, the sunset watchers started gathering up on the West side of the peak, with their portable chairs, blankets, etc. Park police stopped letting cars to the top parking lot. So, anyone who came later had to park at the Second Visitor center, and walk.

We started coming down around 5:30 pm, and as we came down, we stopped at a few places. An absolute must stop is Kalahaku overlook, which in my opinion is WAY better for sunset watching, and at that time, around 5:45 pm, not crowded at all.

In the direction of the sun, clouds were quite thick. So, you don't actually get to see sunset into the horizon. Rather, you see sun going behind the clouds. This creates impression colors and imagery.

At around 6:15/6:20, we exited the park, and it was already quite dark. Sunset time was schedule to be at 6:30 pm, but sun was gone by then, due to cloud cover.

After exiting the park (at elevation 7000 feet), there is quite a drive down those switch-backs. A couple a-hole drivers were doing 50 MPH on those curves. I guess they know what they are doing: making an appointment with death early.

We took our time getting down, and made it to our dinner at Hali'imaile General Store 30 minutes late, but safe and sound.

Highly recommend doing the sunset vs the sunrise.

The praise for the Haleakala summit is totally merited. The sensation of being above the clouds and surrounded by the volcanic rock makes it feel like you are at the top of Mount Everest or K2. We were so blessed that we not only had a nice sunset in the clouds- but also a full moon that surfaced on the opposite side right at sundown. The moon was even cooler than the sunset! In addition to being at the summit (got to top summit at 5pm on Dec 30!and got last parking spot 1 hour before official sunset) before that we parked in the Haleakala visitor center right near the summit (not the one at the lower altitude) and did just the first 10-15 minutes of the sliding sands trail which is very easy and gets you a nice view into the crater. Note the sliding sands trail goes on much much further and gets more strenuous but we didn’t have time - and with young kids and a grandmother in tow- the start of the sands hike was just right. Highly recommended.

We booked for sunrise several months out and would recommend a visit, for sunrise or otherwise.

Sunrise or sunset are very popular here. We had gone to some lengths to secure sunrise tickets several months out and, luckily, had nice weather on our chosen day. It was quite a lot of effort as we were staying at Kihei and the drive up the mountain in the early AM is fairly taxing. That said, the view is honestly beautiful! I do have to say that it was FREEZING though. Absolutely, next level cold. We travelled in October and needed every bit of the thermals and cold weather jackets that we'd lugged all the way from Australia to Hawaii. We even borrowed several blankets from our hotel and our daughter was still like an icecube.

Your packing list for a sunrise visit should include thermals, heavy jackets, GLOVES (I'd sooo wished I had gloves) and a beanie. Then take every blanket that you can carry from your hotel :) I debated how cold it could possibly get while sitting, toasty warm, by our pool the day before. Despite our planning we were definitely under gunned!

If you miss sunrise tickets it would still be very much worthwhile going. While gorgeous, we actually enjoyed the two hours AFTER sunrise the best as the colours were just stunning (and it was slightly warmer too).

A little advice for sunrise as we arrived in the dark and it was all quite confusing to find out where to go. The top carpark fills up really quickly. We were there very early and still couldn't get a park. We parked on the next level down where the . You have two choices, you can either make your way to the railing and nab a spot OR if you are up for a bit of a challenge and have a flashlight you can make your way up the path which takes you to a small viewing area. Emphasis here is on small viewing area, so again this would have to be something you are early to get a spot for.

We ended up against the railing. The view was nice but it was a very long and cold wait standing up. Ideally if I ever went again, I'd find somewhere to sit so I could enjoy the view in a more relaxed way and wrap myself up toasty in a blanket.

I'm not sure if this happens every day but on the day we visited a large number of people began singing in Hawaiian as the sun rose. It was all quite magical. Do spend a little time exploring the short walks around the visitor centre. The views are just spectacular!

Amazing to be on top of the world! Be sure to include this on your next visit to Maui. We couldn’t get a sunrise reservation but didn’t want to miss a visit here. Sunset was amazing.

Since my wife isn't an early riser, we drove up in the afternoon to watch the sunset. After stopping at the crater view overlooks, we made our way to the top of Red Hill, locating a spot near a Haleakala silversword flower that was out of the wind and sat to watch as the sun went down to the west.

The whole afternoon and evening were wonderful. On the way back down the mountain, we stopped at the visitor center to use the restrooms and the stars were amazing, with the Milky Way clearly visible above.

This was an awsome treat, very cold and windy even on a 90 degree day in Maui, take a jacket with a hoodie, hats are blown away! This is a MUST See eXPERIENCE!

To avoid the clouds that develop usually by mid day, go early. If you want to go for sunrise you must make a reservation. It’s such an eerie sight up there. Be prepared , it’s much cooler up there. There are lots of bicyclists on the road so watch out for them. The view is beautiful, if you don’t have clouds. We could see the snow on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from on top. Don’t miss it!

Absolutely beautiful! Definitely take the trip to visit this stunning crater and explore the top of the volcano. If I had done more research we probably would have taken the time to do the 8mile round trip hike down into the crater, but the views alone were worth the trip. We got to the crater at around 10/11am on a Sunday and it was not too busy and the rangers were very informative.

Other worldly scenery, just fabulous. If you really want to see some radically different scenery from the rest of Maui visit Haleakala. There are numerous hikes that allow you to take in some amazing views and scenery. Depending where you hike you can be nearly up 10,000 feet so the air is thinner and the temperature is much lower so plan accordingly. Nonetheless the scenery is simply stunning so well worth your time.

The crater sunrise was spectacular despite some clouds it still seems to impress. Went through the reservation process got our spot booked. We were here in 2016 and barely made it to watch the sunrise because of the lines of people. This time only a few cars ahead of us at the entrance of the park. Drove up top pulled right into a parking spot. Last time we were stuck door to door for the whole parking lot.
We watched the sunrise took some pictures and drove out with no waiting to wiggle out of a spot. Loved it!

Sunrise at the crater was one of the most beautiful experiences. Take Polynesian Adventures and ask for Preston. He was so kind, funny and generous with his knowledge of the crater, the sunrise, the area on the road back and extra warmth for those who didn't dress wisely. He made an amazing experience perfect! Don't miss it!

Don't go if you cant handle to over 10,000 foot elevation but it is worth the drive to get there. The drive is very winding so don't forget the motion sickness meds for those with motion problems..

This is a must see if you travel to Maui. At the top of the crater you are at 10000 feet above sea level above the clouds. I have mnevet witnessed any sunset more beautiful than this.

Epic , don’t miss the sunrise it’s unreal , beautiful to say the least you can watch the sun rise as the moon drops below the clouds

We visit the peak of Haleakala on every trip we make to Maui. This was our second dawn visit and the first time we’ve seen the sun (the clouds obscured the sun the last time.) conditions were clear with light wind. The temperature was around around 30
degrees. Sanding around, waiting, was very cold. The rim of the crater was crowded but manageable. I could not use a tripod because it would not have been safe for me and those around me. Nonetheless, I was able to get some decent photos of the sunrise and the crater. The driver from Polynesian Adventure Tours (Wayne) was excellent if a bit talkative. He shared his knowledge freely and clearly. I would certainly take this tour again on another visit.

Well worth going up 10,023 feet to see. Incredible views. The air is very thin, so can be hard to breath for compromised people.

Drive up is fun and views amazing — clouds below you and wonderful views of the crater. Lots of colors and trails are amazing — wonderful half day here and just unbelievable not to be missed sites

My husband and I drove to the top of Haleakala. From sea level, the 10,000 feet Haleakala looked like it was wearing a cloud blanket around its middle. It was 78 degrees at sea level but a cooler 58 at the top. The windy road took an hour to travel to the observatory. At 7000 feet we visited the ranger station where a ranger gave a talk about the Hawaiian state bird, Nene, who live on Haleakala. We drove the next 3000 feet to the top where we looked down into the crater of the dormant volcano whose last eruption was 400 years ago. There are many hiking trails in the National Park. The day trip to the top was well worth the time.

One of Maui’s most memorable experiences is seeing the Haleakalā sunrise from 10,000 feet above sea level. Pictures can never do justice to the breathtaking beauty and awe of standing on a mountain above the clouds watching in pure darkness as the sun comes over the horizon.

Leave early depending on where you are traveling from and be prepared for the long drive and winding roads on the side of steep cliffs but it was so incredibly worth experiencing it.

We have done this many times so please bring all the gear for the cold and windy weather - dress in layers with warm coats, hats and gloves.

Please make sure that you book your reservations for the sunrise in advance. You can’t get up there without one like in previous years.

It is unclear to me why Trip Advisor says this site is closed - only the observation building is closed; the crater and all of the trails are definitely open. I made our reservations for sunrise a couple months ago so you roll your dice on weather and visibility. For us, it rained during our 2 hour drive leading to the summit. Once we moved above the clouds we had the most amazing view of the stars ... for about an hour. Forty minutes before sunrise ... the clouds rolled in again. Twenty minutes before sunrise ... the clouds broke offering an amazing view of the valley for the remainder of our visit. Like I said, you roll the dice when you have to reserve your spot. We were more prepared this visit with appropriate clothing, water and snacks. We wanted to hike but one in our party was feeling the effects of elevation sickness so we cruised back down the crater before he got to feeling worse.

Not sure how anyone else feels about the reservation process but I love it. I do feel bad for those families unaware of this requirement and get turned around until after sunrise but the difference between the free-for-all we experienced in 2019 versus this visit is like night and day. Parking availability and fewer people made for a much more enjoyable and memorable experience.

If you are a Veteran - bring your proof and get free access to all Federal Parks throughout the United States.

My husband and I went on this exertion by ourselves just for the heck of it but it was actually beautiful. The drive is a bit long but we bought an app and that made the drive so much fun! Every stop had beautiful views!

Was absolutely beautiful, it was pretty cloudy and a little rainy it was still an amazing view and if you don’t want to do a lot of walking there is still a great view or you can hike down to the crater.

Amazing especially if you hike a little bit of the sliding Sands Trail. Skip the hype about sunrise. Get there about 10 AM when it’s a little bit warmer and clear in the morning. Take sunscreen and keep in mind to take your time because you are at 10,000 feet altitude. Amazing geological formation. Feels like you’re walking on Mars without the three-year trip.

You have to visit this if you are on Maui! If you get car sick, be prepared for the winding roads on your way to the top. Personally, these roads made me feel more sick than the road to Hana, BUT ITS SO WORTH IT! Once you’re at the top, you feel like you’re on another planet. It wasn’t as cold as folks said, we went mid-day though and it was like 60’. Still gets very windy so maybe bring a light jacket.

The two of us drove ourselves from Kaanapali to the summit of Haleakala in January 2020. It takes awhile to get up there and we wanted to be there well before sunrise so we left at 3:45am. The road up Haleakala is rather nerve wracking with winding narrow roads and a significant ascent. I drove and it was not an easy drive. Parts of the drive do not have guard rails and does get your attention. There are no places to get gas/petrol so ensure to fuel up before you go.

You need a reservation to arrive prior to 7:00am and then it’s a $30 fee to enter the national park. It is very cold (around freezing) so you really do need to be prepared.

We were able to see the stars before first light and that alone was fantastic. We also saw four shooting stars in roughly 30 minutes. The night sky was breathtaking. The sunrise is surreal. There was chanting in Hawaiian as the sun started to peak through. The light illuminated the crater which was simply breathtaking. The views were tremendous as you could see the crater, towns like Kahului far below and even volcanos on the big island of Hawaii.

Simply beautiful!

While steep, the road to the summit is beautifully paved and stunning views are literally everywhere. There are multiple places to pull off and take some photos or just sit and stare like I did. Be sure to stop at the viewing area on the left just below the summit for it offers a perspective you cannot get from the summit's angle. A word to those who made the mistake of taking the road to Hana first- this is a 1 on a scale of 1-10 in difficulty if Hana is a 10.

Years ago, my wife and I got up amazingly early to make the trek to the top of Haleakala to watch the absolutely stunning sunrise. Wow!! But this time, our son suggested sunset better is even better, so off we went in mid-afternoon (our sleep undisturbed). Wow!! I won't say that one is better than the other, they were both incredible, but you can understand the benefit of the sunset option. We had great views of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. I've been told you can see Oahu as well (and the Big Island in the morning), but clouds obstructed those views, as well as the huge crater.

Reservations are required for early morning, but as of this writing not for the late afternoon. There were easily a couple of hundred people at the top and parking was crowded but manageable. Nice restrooms at the visitor center, which is a bit below the summit.

The road is obviously windy and not too quick, so give yourself plenty of time to make it up - you certainly don't want to be late.

2 enthusiastic thumbs up!

We drove up to the crater to see the sunset as had been told just as nice as sunrise. On the way up we drove through cloud base but when we reached the summit it was clear. However didn’t think about the temperature difference. In the bay it was 70 degrees up at the crater it was 32 degrees. So our viewing time was limited because of the cold. We did see the crater this time round last time it was shrouded in cloud, and we couldn’t see across from one side to another. At sunset we had a marvelous view as the clouds lifted just enough then on the way down past the cloud level again we was able to see the bay below.

Twice we drove over 2 hours each way to see the crater and saw nothing because of clouds. The crater when you see it is interesting and beautiful to see. There used to be a webcam so you could see the view at the top but it is inactive. A visitor center at the top was closed. It is a half mile from the visitor center to the summit which has an observatory. Haleakala Crater is beautiful but the road is winding, well paved and has drop offs in places

There are few volcanoes in the world that offer so much and allow visitors to walk in such a Goliath of a crater.

How to get there: we drove up hitting base of the 378 highway by 0400 hrs. Took 1 hour from there to summit with experienced 4wd driver.
There are no street lights but the highway is well kept. Tight hairpins and in pitch black and windy as you travel up high are challenging but the biggest challenge is control of the car speed around the bends and also as you come down.
Ensure your car has good lights.
Quite a few cars pulled over where they could as this is psychologically challenging too.
But we did it.
Alternatively you can go by bus tour but you arrive just before sunrise and leave straight after, missing all this has to offer.

If driving, you need to pre book a $30USD ticket plus an additional $1USD summit parking fee.

Begin in awe early before sunrise at 0400-0600 with star gazing at the summit. It is surreal but cold. How cold?
London winter wind chill cold. Need a beamy, wind proof jacket and good thermal warm layers.
Bring a blanket. Use camera light to find spot to watch & turn off to reduce light pollution.
Requires walking up steps.

At sunrise approximately at 1 o’clock or 20 degrees, watch amazing colours.
As sun rises it warms.

Stay for a trail walk to see differing views. The shifting sands trail appears like the moon.
Allow 1.5-2 times you walk down, to get back up. It is very long and steep on rock dirt sand path.
Requires endurance.
Asthmatics may struggle.
If you do walk it gets hot quickly so layer off.

My pics were an old iPhone but we also have camera that picked up stars.

No toilets up top at summit.

Gift shop at top. Toilets too. Take your rubbish home, help the park rangers.

Do not miss the experience of going to the top of Haleakalā . The drive to the top is a series of hairpin curves (not too scary). The view is magnificent. You will drive through a eucalyptus forest, so have your windows down. The smell is heavenly! The cost at the gate is currently $30 per car....seniors free with park pass, From there you will climb above the clouds. Look for wildlife, such as the state bird, the NeNe. At the top there is a parking lot to park and roam around. Bring a coat or a blanket. It can be quite cold and windy. The crater has beautiful colors of the earth. Enjoy!

A great adventure while visiting Maui. The drive up is fantastic and let’s you experience a different part of the Island. The sunset was beautiful- very cold tho - so bring your jackets!

This was so worth the 6 hours it took us to drive and experience! We left Napili Bay at 3:30 am and got to the summit by 5:45, just in time for the 5:55 sunrise. We did a quick stop at Starbucks, which opened at 4 am, along the way. The upper lot was a great viewing area. The lookout was crowded so we went up the path to the right of the lot. It was perfect! The drive down was impressive too (drive up was dark) We lucked out with very cooperative weather. That sunrise is unlike anything I have seen. Everyone should do this when visiting Maui! You need a reservation. Book as soon as your date opens up.

We took the road to Hana last year with our teenagers (13 and 14 year olds). While it was beautiful in places they got really bored because you pretty much drive all day and there are a lot of twisty turns. It was also pretty crowded in all the places people wanted to see so finding a parking spot in those places could be hard. But you definitely have to do it just plan on a long day of driving.

The day we planned to visit Haleakala it was overcast and began raining as we approached the park. The entire time I was driving up the mountain, I kept thinking to myself “You are crazy. It’s raining”. I’m so glad I forged ahead. The rain cleared out as sunset approached. The view was magnificent, and the experience was like none other. We stopped at the tourist center and hiked some small trails along the way.

Friendly park rangers. Bathrooms at the summit and lower visitor center. Remember, it’s cold up there! Yes, even in August. Did you know you can sign up way ahead of time to camp there? We also drove up a second time to enjoy the stars. I pt was a little late and I get car sick easily so we stopped to observe stars at the lower visitor center and bathrooms were still open. Beautiful stargazing - loved seeing the Milky Way. Don’t let clouds scare you away. Ask a local to see what they think. The summit is usually above the clouds, which we found to be true on both drives.

We were hoping for a peek of this breath taking view through the clouds but couldn’t get out of the car due to high winds, rain and low visibility. We did experience the outhouse so that provided a second of relief. We basically wasted a day on our trip and the kids refused to do road to Hana after this crater road drive to no where. Also, I paid $30 to do this but should probably not have prepaid in advance as I don’t think there was anyone at the gate. Stopped at the visitors center on the way down to buy souvenir photos so we could have some visual memory as our photos aren’t able to provide that. Might try this again because everyone keeps asking me if we did this and saying how transformational the experience is when it’s a clear night and you go for sunrise….that was unfortunately just not our luck.

My wife and I came up to the crater for a sunset and very happy we did. Seeing the sunset above the clouds is something you don't get to see very often and am very glad we got to come.

This is a must see if visiting Maui. We visited Haleakala Volcano National Park with a view of seeing the volcanos dormant crater. It is a windy road to the summit and you may drive through the cloud to get there. As the summit is over 10,000 ft you are above the clouds. Stop at the different view points for some spectacular views some of the original crater and of other smaller craters from smaller eruptions. We were lucky as the cloud did not cover their crater so were able to see the wonderful volcanic colours of rock. There are some hikes down into the crater if you are feeling energetic. There are no toilets / restrooms at the summit but there are some at the two parks information stations a short distance down the road or at one of the crater observation lookouts. Normally there is a $30 charge for cars entering the park and you may need a reservation after 3pm for sunset visits. The day we went up it was a free day. The parks offices and shops were closed for business.

Big Al,s top tips.
If there are clouds around the volcano don’t let that put you off as you will normally be above them at the summit. It is cold and windy up there so take warm clothing. You may feel breathless as the air is thinner over 10,000 feet. If you feel light headed go back down as you may suffer from altitude sickness. Don’t forget to reserve your entry on the national parks website if you are intending on going up there for sunrise / sunset. Stop at the toilets on the way up as there are none at the summit. Follow me for travellers top tips.

My wife and I drove up to the summit of the Haleakala volcano during a vacation to the Hawaiin islands.
The entry fee is $30 per car and we were lucky enough to visit when there was very little could cover.
Although there are dozens of switchbacks, the drive up the mountain is not difficult, as the road is two lanes the whole way up.
Definitely worth the drive.

Glen was our tour guide who shared lots of stories about the area. He got us up to the crater when still dark so we could experience the full sunrise. Breakfast at Kula Lodge was good and the setting was beautiful.

It was hard to get up and leave our hotel at 3am, but the view was worth it. Be sure to bring warm clothes, the temp was 40 degrees. Hard to get the National Park parking pass, so be prompt when it opens and diligent to keep trying.

While the overlook is impressive, there's nothing like actually hiking INTO the crater. The immensity, the colors, the experience! If you're able-bodied, we'd highly recommend it! Don't hike further than you feel confident that you can hike OUT. The park service recommends that it will take you double the time it takes you to hike down (we found that it took us 50% more time than it took us to hike down, but we're experienced hikers, so the park services' rec is a good one). One of the best things we did on our Hawaiian vacation!

Drive yourself .. the roads are pretty well paved. The views from the top outstanding and truly magical. Personally I've never seen anything like it.

We went in the afternoon after our morning sunrise reservation was rained out. We had already done the sunrise about 10 years ago so it wasn't a big deal. This time we did a hike - heed the warnings that it will take you longer to get back up!

Most went up to the summit to watch the sunset but we chose to see it at the west-facing side at the visitor's centre. I think this was a better choice - fewer people and a beautiful panoramic view without any buildings (observatory) to contend with.

At the T-intersection where you drive to the summit there is a bank of about a dozen parking spots. We backed in the car and faced where the sun would set. After our hike we had some snacks in the warmth and comfort of the car while watching the start of the show. About 15 minutes before sunset we walked over to the railing for a better view. Since we weren't thoroughly frozen (having spent much of the time waiting and enjoying the view in our car) we waited for the crowd to disperse then drove to the summit for some star-gazing.

The colours of the sunset were beautiful although different from our sunrise experience. Oranges where the sunset then as you turned round the most unique blues and pinks behind you. Pictures don't do it justice. Unfortunately the moon was almost full so the stargazing wasn't as spectacular as it could have been, but the expanse with the clouds was still breathtaking.

On our way down from the summit we picked up some very cold hikers (in shorts) who had left their car at the visitors centre (parking at the top fills up an hour before sunset). Turns out the young man proposed to his partner after the sunset! It was indeed a magical evening!

We skipped this entire area on our first trip to Maui. Decided to check it out this trip. WOW. It was a whole different world up there. The drive was long and lil intimidating, but totally worth it. We drove up for sunset around 1:30, did a mile down of the sliding sands trail and back, then drove the remaining short bit up to the summit to watch sunset. Definitely bring coats or blankets. Definitely arrive at the summit lot early before the small parking fills up (about an hour and a half before sun officially sets or more) otherwise you’ll be walking uphill on the road from the visitor center. Most unique sunset of our lives.

Driving up is not for the faint of heart. The road is 1 lane each direction and very windy. Half way up there is no more guard rail and just mountain down the side. It was all worth it. We headed up for sunset. When we got to the top we parked and had to walk up a bit to get to a section to watch sunset. There is another section you can walk further up the road to but the air is thin so we didn't go up there. It feels like this is what being on the moon would be like with the black rocks and dirt. Anyway, you can't see the full sunset because you are up at 10,000 feet and the clouds are there but watching the sun set under the clouds was still amazing. It was my teenage daughters favorite part of the trip. It is high up and definitely cold so bring warm clothes to put on once you get up there. Also, once the sun goes down I recommend moving fast so you can start driving before the tour busses head down and before it gets really dark. If we ever go back we will check out sunrise.

Strongly recommend hitting up the mountain at anytime, but the sunrise was special. We booked in advance when the ticket window opened. We stayed in Wailea and from our hotel to the summit was 1:45. We left at 3:30am. I wouldn’t leave any later. The lot was pretty full when we got there. The views are breathtaking. You can see the Big Island, the crater and most of Maui. We had our boys in tow and did a few short hikes into the crater after. Back to the pool by 10am.

The areas (in this order) we found best for viewing the Haleakala sunrise were the Sliding Sands Observation Area (SSOA)-- at the base of the trailhead, Summit, and the Main Visitors area. We visited 3x and watched from each area once. Each time we didn't arrive to the visitors center in time for us to drive to the Summit. If you want to park at the Summit, plan to get through the main park entrance by 0500. It's never a guarantee depending on how many others are ahead of you. To get to the SSOA, park at the visitor's center and walk along a path (unlit, uneven, rocky, incline). At the top on this day there was a Park Ranger who gave a brief history of Haleakala and sang a native chant as the sun rose. It was magical and memorable, basically a surreal experience. Day #2, we arrived earlier than day #1. The parking lot gate (to the Summit) closed just as we arrived as it was full. We decided to walk the 0.5 mile incline to the summit. It was challenging for us due to the elevation and its all uphill--on the paved road -- but we made it. There are about 50 parking spots at the Summit but no restrooms. We propped our camera phone and took a hyper-lapse video of the sunrise from here. At the visitors center is where many people view the sunrise. It's also a main parking lot and where the tour buses park, has a restroom and information booth (but it was closed do to current COVID restrictions). This is the place where most people congregate.
*The road to these areas and back are switchbacks so drive carefully, slowly, and caution if you get car-sickness.
*Suggest to take snacks and water in the car as there are no place to buy these items.
*Your America The Beautiful (ATB) pass can be used at the park entrance

Very memorable sunrise! Overall it was worth the early rise and long drive in the dark, although my two teenagers didn't really appreciate it much (no surprise there). We checked the weather several times the night before and the morning of departure and were pleased that we had partly cloudy conditions. At the summit you are above the clouds and the sunrise is stunning and unique. It is very cold up there so bring all the warm clothes you have plus the blanket off your bed. While we were a little nervous about driving the road in the dark based on other reviews, we thought it was perfectly fine and weren't nervous at all. It probably just depends on what you're used to.

Went for the sunset rather than the sunrise. Unfortunately, bad weather interfered with our views of the sunset. Incredible views of themountain and the crater, incredible stories. The drive is not for the faint of heart.

Exhilarating experience sunrise on the mountain. Left Wailea at 2:45 am to get there an hour before sunrise. Pitch dark up the roads. Winding switchback roads. Make sure you have a full tank of gas. We parked at the lower visitor center and walked the white hill trail to see sunrise above the clouds but you get a smashing view of the crater from there. Dress warm. Like base layers winter coat hat and gloves. It is colllddd. Watched the sun peek through the clouds and slowly rise. Then drove up the upper visitor center to see the view from there. Walked red hill path to get view of the observatories. Started down the mountain and did several of the lookouts and hosmer grove nature trail. Note. The outhouse on hosmer grove was one of the grossest we saw.

Check the forecast before making the long road trip up to the peak. We only had about 2 minutes of sunshine before the clouds rolled in. Nevertheless, a must see if you are in Maui. The journey up and down is well worth the effort.

Made reservation couple month for the sunrise summit entrance for 3AM. It was the most magical thing!! In my experience, you don't have to park up to the summit parking lot. You can still watch it once you parked at the main summit entrance and walk a little to the side and have your personal viewing . Make sure to get there at least 30 min before the sunrise. The first light was mesmerizing.

We left at 3AM from our hotel and got there around 5:00AM had time to use the restroom and park. About 5:30, you can already see the first light and every minute, the sky changes color. It was pretty amazing. Its about 35 degrees with no wind. We had winter gear and was very comfortable. Def. Dress warmly.

I personally think it was one of the highlights of Maui. Def. Recommend.

The crater rim is accessible by car and the crater itself is accessible via many walking paths of different length and difficulty. It's easy to spend a whole day here. The crater looks quite different from different vista points - it's recommended to get as many angles as possible due to the immense natural beauty of the place.

Beautiful scenery the crater is massive we went to see the sunset there were hundreds of people up there the road is 2 lanes so it took awhile coming back down

Tough place to visit due to extreme weather conditions but worth the effort. Drove up through spectacular views and cloud formations. The top is clear with more amazing views.
We also lucked into Ranger Chris’s volcano talk which is highly informative and entertaining.

We went to the summit for the sunset and it was glorious. My wife did a time lapse video that is the highlight of all our videos/photos. Get there plenty early for a good parking spot and stake out your spot behind an outcropping. Overflow parking is a half mile down the summit at the visitor center, so get there early! Dress warmly, take a beach chair and a blanket. It gets cold as the sun sets. We missed out on stargazing due to cloud cover, but that same cloud cover put on a light show for the time lapse during the sunset. This was our favorite thing we did all week. Don’t miss this!

While many go to Maui for snorkeling or beach fun, this was at the top of our list of things we wanted to do. It is other worldly to go to the top of Haleakalā and see the crater and the volcano comes

Bring your warm clothes. The wind gust were mighty and it was so cold, I snapped the photo and return to the car...Watching the cloud move felt like I was in the movies and the rainbow made it look surreal.

It’s always an elevated journey to experience sunset at this summit… to be above the clouds looking at the sun set beneath is a blessing moment.

We went on a rainy day, and it was still quite something to see. So glad we did this, but dress warm and bring coats.

The crater is absolutely stunning, but it is incredibly cold up there. We didn't want to get up super early for a sunrise tour, so we drove up there ourselves. If you're going to drive it on your own, I'd recommend you download the Shaka app. The app gives an extremely precise narration of directions to the best lookouts and side trips. There are some stunning views along the way. But, again, its very, very cold and extremely windy. I wish I'd brought my winter coat!

The views are absolutely gorgeous, if you are going for the first take it slow, you will see the most amazing sites. You can hike a short trail or for miles.

Well worth the crazy "get up" time to see the sunrise on Haleakala. Be sure to take your winter gear though because that place was cold! And, we're from Alaska!

Too cold to enjoy anything ! the ride is very long and sinuous. For us its wasn't worth it at all for the sunset , I cannot imagine woke up at 3 AM for this...

Mitch our tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I would have given the tour a 5, but he was over 1/2 hour late without any notification he was running late. We were ready to give up and go back to the hotel.

Spencer from Valley Isle was a remarkable tour guide. We met at 3:30am to drive a winding road up the volcano to see an amazing sunrise. The highlight of the trip was the beautiful chanting of the native Hawaiian men in their native language, honoring and greeting the sun. It was freezing cold and very windy. Dresses like you are going to Alaska. But worth every second.

Stunning views await you at the top of the 10,023 foot summit!! Not as harrowing as the road to Hana and no waterfalls. But yes a beautiful view. We returned to where we did a downhill bike ride nearly 24 years ago. The view is amazing.

I have been here five times. Twice on sunrise bike down outings and three times to drive up with people who have never been. It’s stunningly beautiful. But it’s a long drive up just to see it. So if you can, make an adventure of it and do the bike ride down. I did it my 20s and again in my 50s. Loved it both time. (And a downhill ride is about the only time your going to catch me on a bike. If you drive yourself up, don’t skip the summit.

I greatly hesitated on whether to do this alone, or on a group tour, especially after watching videos. To be honest, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had it in my mind to be. Yes I prayed a lot, yes, I went super slow, and yes I wish there were more guard rails. However, if you go slow like everyone else is, or pull over to let people when they’re not, you can totally do this. It was such an incredible experience. Originally we went to the very top. It’s actually doesn’t have as good a view as the lower viewing area, so we left and went back down there. There is a trail off the right at the lower viewing area, but a bunch of us got lost trying to find it in the dark. Try to get to the viewing area early because spots fill up quickly, and you’ll want to be in the front tow for the best pictures. Also, make sure you get your reservations two months ahead of time so there is no stress about whether you’ll get one because they do run out. The Sliding Sands Trial is really cool and worth doing. Just be careful because you really fly going down, but the hike back up at 10,000 feet gets pretty intense. It’s definitely not the Pīpīwai Trail. We actually warned an older couple we saw when we were coming back up because we had to stop several times just to catch our breath. It’s an awesome trail, but we only hiked part of it. Hike down as far as you want, and then simply turn around. On another note, please reconsider biking down while at the Crater. We saw people doing that on the road where we were driving, and thought they were crazy. It looked incredibly dangerous. Watching the sunrise here and hiking after were amazing. It made my friend’s top two things we did in Maui, and was definitely in my top things. It’s an amazing experience.

Seeing this is good to do if you don't mind the drive up and back and have the time. We went for sunset and the views were ok, but honestly it was not worth the 5 hour round trip drive. The temperature got down to 43 degrees and this is normal so if you do go for sunset, then take your warm coats and dress for sub 50 degree weather.

We debated visiting the crater during the popular sunrise hours. We just couldn't get over the early 3am start time if picked up by a tour operator - not to mention the cost of the excursion. We also did not want to have to try our luck reserving 1 of 25 spots 2 days before our desired visit - the odds were against us since the timeslot was coveted. Instead, we woke up at 7am at our Lahaina resort, relaxed during breakfast and headed out around around 9:30am and reached the park gate at 11:00am. It took another 40 minutes to reach the summit.

IMHO, the sunrise viewing is over-rated. The drive up in daylight was not only safer but you could actually see the sites around you (wild life, landscapes above and below etc.) Parking at the summit lot had thinned out by the time we reached the top. The crowds were gone and you didn't have to fight for camera angles. The temps were more comfortable too. The sun was up so we ditched our sweaters and toques.

The 365 degree views were spectacular! We felt like we were standing on Mars with the rugged terrain that surrounded us. It was a bit cloudy but we could still see the span between the airport to Maalaea Harbor at the opposite side of the island.

This was a worthwhile excursion which can be self guided. Save a few winks and keep cash in your pocket by skipping the tours and going during the day.

Colorful landscape so different from the lush tropical coast. Be sure to wear your warm clothes and take it easy. Remember that going back up out of the crater takes longer and is more difficult than the walk down.

check it out with the sliding sands trail, even just do the first part of it to get the experience a bit and its not too difficult but worth it.

Gabriel was our tour guide and he did an excellent job not only explaining the history and mythology of the crater, but he was very knowledgeable about Hawaii and Maui and talked about facts while we drove 90 minutes up to the crater visitor center and back. I totally recommend it!

My friend and I drove to the crater in the afternoon. Many people say it’s best to see the crater during sunrise or sunset but I was wary of the drive at night... for good reason. The drive up and down is terrifying to be honest filled with hairpin turns and possible animal crossings. The views were unlike this world, but it was foggy when I went. The drive down was horrible because it had started raining and the sun was going down. The visibility was poor but we made it!

first off The Mt. is known for it's experience at sunrise. I've been there 2 times and have never made it.. usually due to weather. You should know that if you want to do sunrise you need to make a resevation on line (it's $1) for entry between 3AM-7AM. As the weather had been quite rainy and clouds could be seen we decided instead of waking up at an ungodly hour, traveling at least an 1 1/2 - 2 hours drive. We went in the afternoon. we were not disappointed. The traffic of both cars and people were lite and we were able to see everything. Note: there is a $30 entry fee per car and that is good for 3 day AND gets you into the state park on the road to Hana.. so plan ahead and accordingly.

Wondrous place especially at sunset when you don't need reservations. The hikes are strenuous except for the Lilikei Lookout esp the altitude. We were nervous about driving to the summit and considered taking a tour but we're glad we drove as the tours are too expensive. Only the 20min segment between Headquarters Visitor Ctr and Haleakala Visitor Ctr (summit) was a little scary with no guardrails and dropoffs. The rest of the drive was fine.Bring warm clothing including long pants and jackets. The wind was wild. Sunset was beautiful and the ensuing golden hour was magnificient. If you don't like driving mountain paths in the dark, you still have approx 35mins to drive down with some daylight after sunset.

Don't believe the reviews that tell you the crater will be above the cloud cover once you drive up there! We went on what appeared to be a normal cloudy day (the summit always seems to be in the clouds). Got to the top, couldn't see much of anything. So just be aware that you might spend hours getting there, only to be a little disappointed. We did not do the sunrise experience this time, but I'm sure it's pretty cool.

This was such a magical and beautiful experience but, as I've seen in other reviews, it can definitely be impacted by the weather. We had great weather so for us, the experience was incredible and absolutely worth the early wake up. We were staying in Kaanapali and it took us about an hour or so to get there. Things to note: 1) It is super cold and windy. Make sure you have adequate layers. We brought a fleece blanket as well to bundle up in as well which definitely helped. 2) Make sure you reserve your spot on their website prior to the day (it's a $1 fee. if you have a group of people the reservation is per car not per individual so you only need one reservation per car). They only allow 100 cars in for the sunrise and it fills up. 3) When you arrive, you will also have to pay the $30 entrance fee (also per car, not per individual). We didn't see this listed anywhere so it was a little surprise for us. All in all, it was an amazing experience to watch the sun rise above the clouds. One of the park rangers sang a traditional Hawaiian song/chant as the sun was rising to bless the day which added to the whole experience. There are lots of trails to hike and explore after the sunset so make sure you take advantage of it!

Unworldly feel to witness the haleakala crater. 10,000 feet high summit. There was a formation of clouds and rainbows hovering over the crater which gave this humbling site a more beautiful and spiritual feel.

The chance to watch the sun rise above the clouds sounded like a magical experience. I marked the date I could make a reservation to enter Haleakala National Park and snagged a reservation (and you must have one for entry). My partner and I were lucky that the sun rises a little later at the end of November, so we left our hotel in Kihei at 3AM to give ourselves enough time to safely drive up the mountain while it was still dark. The drive up had hairraising moments, particularly the highest sections where there weren't guardrails between the edge of the road and the mountain face. & a tip to future drivers going up, it isn't necessary to tailgate the car(s) in front of you going at the proper speed limit and have your brights on the entire time. You will also be charged $30 for a 3 day parking pass for Haleakala (we were visiting the other side of the park the following day, so that worked in our favor. However, if you're only visiting once, you may need to tell them you only want a 1 day pass). We got to the summit with 45 minutes to spare before the official sunrise but many people got there before us and we were one of the last cars to park at the summit lot. My partner and I were able to wear our November clothes from NYC up at the summit to keep warm. Gloves would be smart, if you're keeping your hands out on your phone/camera to capture as much as you can. The way the light changes truly is magical, turning high and low laying clouds from shadows to shapes. A park ranger was at the summit giving some background and did a Hawaiian sunrise chant as the sun appeared from the horizon of clouds. It was an absolutely magical moment. Many people appeared to leave after the sunrise, but take a few hours to hike part of the Sliding Sands Trail. The topography really feels otherworldly. And if you look hard enough, you can see smoke or steam coming from the tops of the cinder cones further in the valley, to remind you that Haleakala is still a live volcano. Take your time with the hike (and bring water) as you are just under 10,000 feet above sea level and may have shortness of breath at that height. Regardless, it's an experience like no other.

Amazing amazing amazing. Definitely do it. It is worth the drive. So much to see.

I will definitely recommend this to anyone.

We did a volcano all day tour with kailani tours with grant Mitchell … This guy knows the island and alot about volcanic activities and much more .. The best guide we have had in all our activities on the big island .. we made slot of great stops at black sand beach with turtles and great Kona joes lunch stop best coffee I ever had 👍. Stopped at steam vents and tube fissures and volcano.. He made the trip so much fun with all the stops and followed up by dinner at kileau village restaurant. Then star gazing at night on last stop !! Ask for grant for your tour you will be glad you did 👍👍👍👍

Just incredible. My husband and I have gone to Maui over and over since 2002…we never did this bucket list excursion because neither of us would commit to getting up in the middle of the night. Well, thanks to our adult children we hauled along on this trip, we did it. and now that it’s over, I would like to strongly recommend that everyone do this on your trip to Maui…if it’s your first time or last time or you live there, you simply have to do this. the sight of that sun coming up over the clouds is like nothing I have ever seen…and I have been to 70 countries in my lifetime, so there you have it. It’s a bucket list, PITA sort of thing, but man-o-man, you will not regret it. Just suck it up, go to bed early, get in the car at 2 a.m. and just go, people. It literally kind of wrecks 2 days of your trip because A), you have to go to bed at 7 to get up at 2 (unless you are one of those ppl that doesn’t need sleep) and B) the next day yo have been up since 2 a.m., so it makes the next day really short as you need to either take a huge nap when you get back or go to bed at 6 p.m. Anyway, just do it. You won’t be sorry.

I cannot believe I almost missed out on going here. My girlfriend and I love nature and astronomy. We went once during the day to see the beautiful views (we passed on the hike into the crater as the altitude was just a bit much for us to adjust to) then came back a different day to see the night sky.

The entrance fee is $30 for 3 days and while there isn’t any other option I felt this was fair for a national park. Nothing was open due to Covid but the bathrooms were at the visitor center during the day and at night.

If you want to drive some of this during the day, we began our drive from the base around 7-7:30 per the advice from a ranger. The drive down wasn’t scary if anything it reminded me a lot of space mountain. Our night drive was FREE as we didn’t need to pay to enter so absolutely come here to star gaze. I have never seen so many shooting stars in my lifetime nor seen the milk way so vibrant. You could do a tour which I planned on doing but everything was booked. Bring or don’t bring your own telescope and enjoy the views for what they’re worth. It truly was an experience I’ll never forget. Just remember once you park to turn off your headlights as soon as you can to be respectful to others.

An unforgettable experience going to the volcano and enjoying the amazing sunrise on top of the Haleakala crater. The trip was amazing and the guide was very professional with an impressive knowledge about Hawaii history and habitat. We really enjoyed this wonderful trip and will never forget this amazing experience.

We enjoyed a very early sunrise visit to Holeakula yesterday. Trevor was our tour guide and he was an excellent guide from pick up to drop off. Answered all our questions and was very attentive to details and an excellent driver. The tour company provided jackets, which were greatly appreciated. Thanks for a great adventure.

The sunrise over the Haleakalā volcanic crater was an unforgettable experience and the highlight of my Hawaii trip.

The crater is located at around 3000 Hm and can be reached very easily by car. There are several viewpoints from which you can watch the sunrise. Here are some hints:

1. To enter the park at sunrise, you need a ticket. Tickets are sold a few months earlier and are quickly sold out. However, there is a contingent of 50 tickets that will only be sold two days earlier on the park's official website for the symbolic price of $1 per ticket. You have to be logged in and fast at the beginning of the sale (in my case it was 7:00 a.m.). Be sure to create a user account before starting the sale. It is required for purchase.

2. You should be there about an hour before sunrise to get your bearings and look for a good spot to observe. It's very dark and cold. Bring a flashlight and warm clothes.

3. The time of sunrise can be found on the weather channel website. It starts to get bright about 15 minutes before the actual sunrise.

4. There are many indications for the best observation site. In my opinion, the parking lot at the observatory is not ideal because you cannot see the crater from there. The parking lot at the visitor center is very suitable. There are various viewpoints there, for example the Pāka‘ao‘ao (hill next to the parking lot, offers beautiful views of the crater) , but you have to walk uphill a few meters in the dark. I myself went a bit on the “sliding sands trail”. It slowly descends into the crater. There it was deserted and you had a great view over the crater to the east, so the sun rose exactly over the crater.
An alternative could be the Kalahaku Overlook. It also offers a beautiful view over the crater. I suspect, however, that the cardinal directions are not ideal, so that the sun does not rise above but next to the crater.

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Be prepared for a long winding road on the way to the top. We had to visit twice on our trip, because the first time it was misting and the wind was blowing about 30 mph. That makes for an unpleasant visit when the temperature is 43 F. At least on the second trip, it was clear and 45 F. Like the guidebooks tell you, wear long pants and a jacket, because it is chilly. It was fun to watch people dressed in tank tops and shorts. We hoped to see nene at the visitor's center, but saw none either trip. However, the silversword nursery was a highlight.

We had read reviews of the road to hana etc and decided this would be better suited for us. We didn't intend on getting up in the middle of the night to see a sunrise as we see enough of them when we aren't on holidays so we got to the summit at about 11.30. We were pretty much exhausted by the time we got there. Up to the park entry gate it wasnt too bad but the last 3000 ft elevation was grueling. Narrow winding road with no guard rails and people driving like there is no tomorrow. The view from the top was impressive even without a sunrise and the temperature was fine for shorts and a light jacket. The drive down was not easy either. Same curves without guard rails and all you could see was blue sky and clouds somewhere below. Once you got back down to where plants started to grow it became less of a white knuckle drive. Two things seemed strange. 1. Why are there guard rails lower down the mountain where you actually may have a chance of survival if you missed a curve for some reason and yet not higher up where its probably game over. 2. Why is much of the road at 30 mph speed limit. The same as South Kihei where the biggest danger is someone cutting you off when they try to turn left. It was probably worth the drive but be prepared for whats ahead.

The views were amazing. We were above the clouds. We had a view of the volcanos on the big island. The drive up is a bit scary - cliffs and drop offs, but so worth it! The visitor center is still closed, but bathrooms were open. Most people were good about social distancing. It’s easy to do in the wide open spaces! We didn’t attempt the hike to the crater floor, but we wandered around for a bit taking pictures.

Every day before our trip, we had the conversation...so, do you want to do the Haleakala crater? Weighing the pros/cons, we realized we needed to secure a ticket online before deciding. So, I created an account and did a trial run to to through the process for getting a reservation the day before I actually made our reservation. Make sure you set up your account ahead of time since securing tickets are a quick process. I was online at 7:00am, and all tickets were gone by 7:02am. Our reservation was for the second day we were there, which was great because we were already a bit jet lagged and getting up at 3:30am wasn't as big a deal as if we were already more relaxed. We almost didn't go because the weather report was for high winds, but we decided to give it a try. We brought hats, polartec jackets, sweats and the hotel gave us extra blankets. Gloves would have been a good addition. We arrived at 6am from Kapalua in our rental car. So glad we arrived early because you can really appreciate going from darkness to light. It was cold and windy, but really not an issue overall. So, if you are on the fence, just do it! It is a beautiful experience. Nature at it's finest. Stop for breakfast on your way down and then kick back and enjoy the Aloha of Hawaii, the people and the beauty of the island.

One of the many amazing experiences on the island. 10,000 ft high and you’re able to drive the whole thing. Save your ticket and can visit the seven pools in Hanah for free . Because both are state parks so revisit is good to both places within 3 days

To get the best experience if and when you go, be present. Look up! Look Around!, Look Down! Experience the stars and the sunrise with intent, gratitude, and respect to be allowed the beauty that it brings which most of us take for granted. What if the sun didn't rise the next day? Do the bike ride if you can, and experience all the local love and aloha! Haleakala Bike Co. will totally take care of you...and if you hear a chant or and Oli from one of the local guides... be thankful because where thre is light there is darkness and they just lit the path for you!!!

We made our reservation for sunrise about two months in advance, for only $1. I like this process, since you know there will be a parking space somewhere up there for you.

We left the Kahana area around 3:30am and arrived at the parking lot at 5:45am. Along the way we stopped to pay our 3-day national park fee. They now have a person in a booth as you enter the park, checking your reservation, and taking your park fee. You no longer need to get out of your car to pay for the park fee out of a machine.

Sunrise was spectacular! It always is. This time the clouds seemed to swirl up and out of the crater, creating a glow everywhere.

Dress warmly, and take blankets from your hotel/condo. People are usually in a hurry to rush back to the warmth of their cars. But stick around longer, and drive up to the summit, for an amazing view. Take your time and watch out for the bikers (outside of the park entrance) on your way down.

Fantastic way to spend a day! Just a note, at the summit you are at 10,000 feet--if you have any health issues maybe skip hiking and just enjoy the views!

We hiked a portion of the Sliding Sands trail (about 4 miles round trip) and I personally felt the altitude on the climb back up. I just took my time and enjoyed the incredible scenery. It was quite windy and I liked having layers on. What felt great hiking in, slowly came off coming back up. Bring lots of water, a snack for stops, and a camera for lots of pictures! Amazing place.

The drive up is quite windy and I imagine entry can get backed up. We started close to 8am from Kihei and were glad we got going early.

We really wanted to visit Haleakala, and hike some of the crater…..but we didn’t want get up at 3am, lol!

So we opted to go in the late afternoon, hike, then finish the drive to the top to watch an outstanding sunset.

People will tell you - and believe them - you will need/want a hat and gloves at sunset, as well as long pants and either a heavy sweater or coat.

The temp difference up 10,000 feet is extreme. We saw people at the top wrapped up in blankets and I wished we would’ve thought of that! We did however, bring lawn chairs to set up - as it takes a while for the sun to actually set - and that was a total life hack. Bring chairs!

And maybe even a little snack or picnic….the views are out of this world, the crater, the lava rock, the plants. You might even see an endangered NeNe goose like we did - they’re pretty cute 😁

Enjoy the view from the top!

This is a place with stunning views. It is not an easy hike though. Be prepared - layered jacket, it is cold up there. Lots of water too.

I don’t know what I missed by not going for sunrise or sunset, but I was just as pleased to avoid the crowds in the later afternoon. We got to the summit around 4pm and there was plenty of parking. I really enjoyed the experience.

It is a long, winding drive up the side of this 10,000ft. extinct volcano that rewards the traveller who reaches the top, with an incredible moon surface crater while being above the clouds, bathed in sunshine until it spectacularly sets in the distance. Then stay to watch the night star show in they dance in the sky above.

Amazing. Wish we had more hiking time
It is a hard hike so time is needed to visit the craters. The view was fabulous and we had a perfect day at the top of the mountain

Watching the sunrise at Haleakala is an absolute must for anyone coming to Maui!! Yes it it freezing cold, so come prepared, and yes you have to get up early! But you will never see anything as awe inspiring and other worldly again! This is truly the experience of a lifetime. Get there early enough to enjoy the dark sky full of stars then you can rest and warm up in your car until it is time for the sun. Remember the colors start way earlier than the actual sunrise.
After sunrise we stopped at a Grandma's Coffee House and enjoyed fresh pot of warm coffee. They serve loco moco several different ways, omelettes, and mac nut pancakes that are huge! Within a short time after breakfast, the day warms up and you can nap on the beach!! We visited in February 2022 and February of 2011
Fantastic day!

We visited the crater as part of an excursion during our recent cruise to Hawaii. Just an amazing place to visit. The views are incredible. What spectacular colors. This is going to be a short review but its just hard to describe the majestic views from the summit. They truly need to be experienced. I highly recommend a visit.

We drove up. 37 mile not easy road.
But when you are on the top, it is amazing.
Wonderful views, a lot things to learn. Great experience, we reached 10000 feet. You are above the clouds.
Crater is breathtaking.
Recommended.

Make sure you check the weather before you go. I understood the summit was above the clouds so even if weather isn’t good, you can still see. Unfortunately it was raining for the final 1,000 feet and we could see absolutely nothing when we go there. And it was raining and very cold and windy outside of the car. We stayed 1 minute! Did see the sunset eventually as we came down and stopped at a lower lookout under the clouds.

We were really disappointed in the experience at the Haleakala Crater, but please understand - it was solely due to the weather. It was very foggy and you could not see ANYTHING at the top. It’s a long (and very winding!!!) drive to get there to not be able to see anything. If it’s clear out I’m sure this would be an amazing view, but use your own discretion based on the sky’s conditions. It is also COLD up there! It was 78 degrees on the island that day and only 51 at the top of the crater - make sure you bring appropriate clothing if you plan on hiking or exploring at the top.

Don't miss this! It was our second visit and we loved it as much as the first visit. The drive up is surreal as there are usually clouds to drive through. I'm not sure that being there for sunrise is worth it, but we haven't done it.

A great time to drive to top of Haleakala is after the sunrise to arrive early and after all the sunrise watchers have gone down the mountain n we had a perfect day and could are All the way to Mayan Kea, Mauna Loa and Lanai! On a clear day you really can see forever!!

The drive was very interesting because we see lush properties and awesome little private fruit stands. We bought oranges, lemons, guava, so very fresh. The Rangers at the first stop were very helpful, as well as the maps and info they hand out. I am grateful they mention that the walk on Sliding Sands is harder on the way out. It was true. We had a perfect day, above the clouds. Very windy, bring jacket.

Truly one of the greatest things we’ve ever witnessed was a sunset here. The drive and price to enter the park was well worth the experience. A must do for anyone visiting Maui.

A real natural wonder to witness. Beautiful scenery of the volcano and of Maui from this point. Don't miss this when you are in Maui!

I've been to Haleakala plenty of times for sunrise, but this was the first time for sunset. Believe everyone when they say it's crowded, but it was pretty orderly with park staff guiding cars for parking and exiting. We arrive about 45 minutes before sunset and there were only a few cars in the lot. By sunset, there were about 75 cars and tons of people. It will be slow going down the hill, but totally worth it. Tips: Bring blankets, chairs, and dinner/drinks and just enjoy the view.

This was my second trip up for the sunrise. It wasn't the same spectacular sunrise I saw 8 years before in December when reservations were not necessary, but still beautiful. It was very difficult to get reservations to travel up this time. 5 days of setting my alarm hoping to get a reservation as only 50 are given out and you must be on at 7 am in order to have a chance at getting a spot.

Stunning. Astonishing. Freakishly beautiful !

We didn’t get sunrise tickets but drove up in the morning and it was utterly clear. Clouds rolled in rapidly but the crater was sunny so we walked 3 hours on shifting sands trail. A must do to get down into the crater. The colors, the light, the landscape : all gorgeous.

Wear a down sweater or a fleece and a good warm hat. Take a lot of picnic food and at least 2 liters of water. Find a place to enjoy it in the utter peace and solitude of the crater.

Every overlook was lovely as well. The rangers were friendly and amazing and told us to go to Hosmers grove trail loop. Short hike WELL worth it. Shady gorgeous trees and hundred of birds. We saw three endangered birds at the overlook. Many many of them: bright red and just fantastic!

The drive wasn’t bad for us but we live in the mountains. It was very densely cloudy on the way down and the driver had to “ focus”.

We went up to see the sunset, it was wonderful. The landsacape up there in the crater opening looked like we were looking at pictures of the moon. It was VERY cold and windy, we had sweaters and coats and were still cold. We had one person along that used a wheelchair, it was acomadated easily but being the one pushing it, I wish I had packed gloves along. The whole area up there felt very spiritual to me.

We were unable to book tickets to see the sunrise (separate online system nearly impossible to book), but drove up anyways later in the day. We were blessed with clear weather, to see fantastic vistas.

Advised in the Maui Trailblazer guide go in the morning. We overslept and missed sunrise but getting there at 9 a.m. was still lovely. We took the Sliding Sands trail down to one of the small craters. It was otherworldly and quite a hike up and out but we were prepared for that. I would recommend going just for the experience of being in this grand landscape like no other.

The beautiful views are amazing! We enjoyed everything, especially the delicious coffee! We waited forever to visit Haleakala Crater.....it was worth it! Amazing atmosphere for sure!

For 5 days I have been logging in daily at 6:50 a.m. to the recreation.go website waiting to purchase a ticket for the Haleakala Sunrise, however it seems that someone is running a scam with the tickets and or the computer system is corrupt as tickets are always gone in 5 seconds, literately. As soon as the button is enable and I click to buy the ticket the are gone, "no longer available", sold out. This is a really cruel move as not everybody wants to visit the state park for sunrise on a $200 dls per person tour were you are being rushed. Our entire family of 12 will have to leave Maui without having the blessing of witnessing the beautiful phenomena of Haleakala :( I also wish there ware somewhere I can report this besides Trip advisor :(

We have visited Haleakala a couple of times, and it is always spectacular (been for sunrise, not sunset). Please keep in mind, that it is going to be "cold" on the top of the mountain, like in the 30's and 40's. We did plan on this our first time, and luckily somebody recommend brining, spare blankets from the resort that we were staying at. Without the blankets, and only wearing normal Maui attire, (shorts, sandals, and tee shirt), we would have been frozen, and not very happy, even with the beautiful sunrise. That is my recommendation, and please, if you do plan on going, take some warm cloths. Depending on where you stay on the island, it could take 2-3 hours just to get there, so again, plan. You must also register with the forestry service, as they only allow so many vehicles per day for sunrise.

The expanse of the crater was amazing. So many different types of topography and the views of the whole island were fantastic! A definite must see!

During our recent trip to Maui, we took the 10,000 ft high drive to the Haleakala summit. It’s a beautiful drive with views of the ocean, valley below, many diverse growing zones, and greenery everywhere ! When you finally reach the summit - you’re above the vegetation zones. We drove over from Lahaina - it took us approximately 2 hours - across the island, through Kahului, and up the mountain. Traffic was not bad and when we arrived at the summit - plenty of parking available. Beautiful clear day - you could see the entire mountain while driving over to it ! Very rare - usually the summit is covered by clouds - not today ! Highly recommend visiting Haleakala when on Maui - one of a kind !

We were able to snag a ticket for the sunrise on Haleakala. It was beautiful, breathtaking and otherworldly. It was very cold 40 degrees and windy. I wish I had brought some hot coffee. We entered the park at 3 am and were one of the first vehicles there. It was very, very dark. Bring a flashlight. The best place to watch is at the summit on the east side of the windowed structure at the top. There is a rock wall there. I am thankful we had the sunrise ticket, but I do believe that sunset or daytime would be spectacular also. You don’t need a ticket for those times. Just a national park pass. My suggestion is to visit Haleakala crater no matter the time of day. Just visit. It is a must do on Maui.

The ride up through multiple climate zones is amazing. The crater itself changes from minute to minute as fog rolls in and out so quickly. The bike ride down is exhilarating. Don’t need to do the sunrise ride as it’s usually a 50% chance you’ll be clouded out of that opportunity. We did a 9a ride and it was magnificent.

Absolutely stunning mountaintop views! Even the drive up is fun as you experience different climates. We visited mid day and hiked down Sliding Sands Trail. Thinner air for sure and cold and windy- dress accordingly and bring water/ snacks.

It's one of those things you have to do once! To be above the clouds on a volcano as the sun comes up or sets is a special moment. Don't miss it. If you want to see the sunrise make sure you make reservations weeks in advance. There are a few spots available up to 3 days ahead but very few and hard to get. If you want to watch the sun set or just go up in the day time there is no need for reservations. It's COLD at that altitude so make sure you bring the right clothes to enjoy the full experience. We drove from Kaanapali which takes about 2 1/2 hours. ENJOY!

Left our condo at 3:30 in Kihei arrived at 5 am. Road is not easy in the dark. Bathroom situation is not good, so be prepared. Wear lots of layers. It is freezing. When the sun barely starts to rise, the red fireball is incredible to see. We were lucky to have good weather and the clouds did not disappoint.

We took an excursion for an NCL cruise for the sunset. The tour company was Polynesian Adventure. The driver was very entertaining as well as informative. The weather is definitely jacket weather, 84 at the beach and 49 on the mountain. The sunset was spectacular and well worth the long drive up. Definitely recommend this .

More of an FYI, if you want to catch the sunrise, you have to make a reservation at the state park. They require reservations to enter the park between 3-7am, so if you don’t have a reservation, you cannot get in and get to the top for the sunrise. You’ll have to pull over at one of the turn outs below. Then the park opens for everyone (aka those without reservations) at 7am. But you can still get awesome views at sunrise without being at the summit, if you can’t get a reservation.

This is a must-see place when on Maui. Our sunrise tour was cancelled so we drove ourselves during the day. Not a bad drive and the roads are well-maintained. Beautiful view at the top. We happened to go in the am and by afternoon the clouds took over the top, so plan your visit accordingly.

The view was breathtaking! We went for the sunset as tickets for the sunrise are scarce. For the sunset you do not need tickets except $30 entance fee you pay when entering the park. My sugestion to you is to drive up the Volcano early around 4:30PM, calculated driving time from Kahului (1,5hr). The parking space at the summit is limited and they close it when its full. You can then see the sunset from the lower parking space, but is not the experience as from the summit.

A long trip to this national park.
When we arrived we could not enter the visitor Center or shops because we had no mask. Strange everywhere on the island there were no masks but at 10.000 feet it was obliged.
The view was ok but HD we known this before. We shouldn’t have done this trip.

The view of the crater from the summit is cool - kind of eerie, it's one of the quietest places on Earth, so that's pretty nuts. It is much higher than you're expecting once you're up there -- you're above the clouds (though the mountain creates it's own cloud & weather systems, so that might affect how low hanging the clouds are). It is definitely pretty cold - I'd say in the 40s. You'll want pants and an actual jacket, the cold is pretty biting. My husband & I drove up here initially to watch the sunset; however, the drive is pretty hairy & we didn't want to be on that road in the dark (how people drive up there in the dark to watch the sunrise is beyond me). The drive has many hairpin turns with no guardrail & a sheer drop down. If you look straight out, it does create a sense of vertigo. We hadn't read that in any reviews & I have a pretty strong fear of heights, so keep that in mind if you have the same fear. We did, however, have lunch at Kula Lodge in upcountry on the way up overlooking the view of the valley & ocean below & that was lovely - probably the best coconut shrimp I have ever eaten! I would definitely recommend Kula Lodge for before or after your trip up to Haleakala, if you're planning to do it.

We drove up to the crater from Kihei - it’s a winding drive not for the faint hearted and it does take over an hour. We arrived around 9.30 and were totally unprepared for how cold it was, dressed in t-shirts and shorts. Luckily the visitor centre at the top sold hoodies and long sleeved t-shirts so we bought one each.

We walked down the sliding sands trail for about an hour before going back up. It’s and easy walk down but much harder coming back with the loose sand. I had to empty my shoes of grit a few times. The views are fab - part of the crater is red and barren, while the far side is lush and green.

As expected, there’s no shade whatsoever so take a hat and sunscreen. And plenty of water - the air is very dry (and thin!). We are pretty fit people but felt very tired after the walk.

Tour to Haleakala Crater today was very informative. Our driver was Gabriel. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Tour was booked thru NCL Cruise line.

Seeing a sunset from the summit is a magical experience!! The drive is a bit scary, but it is so worth it!

There are different trails and elevations to take with different
vegetation. The crater in a moon walk with beautifully different colors of soil and stone. Easier walk down versus up, so pace yourself. Would do this hike again.

Beautiful scenery. Cold and windy. Even though it may be raining on the island or on the way up, it should be clear when you get there. Bring a jacket.

We decided to take friends up to the crater, just to see the views. We drove from Kihei up the. Mountain to the entrance where we pay to get into the park. The person collecting the money told us our 16 lb dog had to stay leashed and stay on paved pathways. We told her no problem!
At the information center, I told my dog out to urinate and a ranger came up and demanded to know what I was doing with a dog in my car. He was incredibly rude and finally repeated what the person at the toll booth said.

Why do people treat tourists with such disrespect?

We had no desire to go against any rules but we never saw a sign that said no dogs. It was only after we drove thirty five miles or so on a very windy road and paid our thirty dollars that we were treated rudely.

Tell people clearly what the rules are but don’t disrespect them especially if you want tourists to return. This ranger ruined the day for the four of us in the car and we will let others know how we were treated.

This place is even more beautiful than the pictures. It's absolutely worth the drive, just make sure you plan for the temperature change especially if you go for sunrise.

Took a tour that started at the crater summit ranger station before dawn. Saw the sunrise on a very clear morning. Spectacular! Saw a few meteors while waiting for the sun to come up. Star gazing is exceptional here. Lots of cool pics. After sunrise, biked the road down the volcano for 26 miles to the beach. Wonderful adventure.

The other worldly features in here means it is surreal. The place is very high in height. This is bad. Not good for not fit.

Went during the day. Views were fantastic! Missed being able to go inside the visitor centers as they were closed due to Covid. Get the Gypsi app to guide you along.

--first of when you pay for entering this NP, it is valid for 3 days which you can also use when going to the last stop on road to hana, so plan both within 3 days.
--the address to the NP in google maps takes you the NP gate where you pay, after that it is atleast an hour to summit so plan accordingly.
--if with family or not a early riser go for sunset, it is equally as good as sunrise and depends on condition of the day
-- i feel sunset is even more beautiful even before you reach summit near Leleiwi overlook(stop here if you were already late and cant reach summit before sunset.

It was a bit of a travel time but nice when you got above the clouds The end was worth it. Be careful to not go where you should not go.

There are so many varieties of things to do at Haleakala Crater depending on one’s capacity and time available. Some preplanning is well worth before making this long trip. Parking at the summit during the night for Sunrise requires a permit. The major experiences would be: Watching the Sunset, Watching the Sunrise, Hiking into the Crater, and just viewing the Crater from the summit and from the overlooks. Driving to the summit during day time would provide familiarity of the long mountain drive for night time driving. It gets very cold after sunset a the summit, so be prepared if you are staying far into the night. The views of the stars is amazing.

The overlook not to miss is Kalahaku Overlook just before the summit. It provides enchanting views of cinder cones and the volcanic crater valley. A vast network of trails are open for hiking starting from the Visitor Center, but we only hiked the short trail; about half mile, it is quite steep and rocky, but absolutely worth it.

Haleakala Crater is very beautiful volcanic scenic place to visit.

We were told by people that went for sunrise that it was very cold and you can watch the sunset anywhere and to skip it. Since we are not into getting up early and we had 2 men who were there for the adventure not the beaches, we decided to pack dinner and snacks and head up around 330pm do a little hike to an overlook and park in the parking lot by bathrooms and watch sunset. It was the end of July and with pants and a sweatshirt we were fine. The experience is something you will never forget ..watching the sunset above the clouds is a once in a lifetime. Extremely happy we didn't listen to others and decided to go. GO!!!

Had to wake up really early..to get there .. during the night..
But its definitely worth it. Tickets bought online.
Been in summer month, wasn't too cold for me ..but I would suggest get some warm clothes, gloves, jacket, hat..

View is amazing.. from a few different levels... also you can see frozen lava.

I been there for the sunrise, because sunset i always see .no regrets

Dress warmly! It is amazing To journey above the clouds and see the coast, clouds, upper earth and sky. Priceless.

The road to it has hair pin turns but well paved. When you reach the top the elevation is 10023 feet. You are above the clouds. It is absolutely incredible. The view is a must see. It can be a bit chilly 58 F. There was a warning that some people may experience dizziness.

Fantastic view from the summit, even across the channel to the Big Island --both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa were visible. The National Park Visitor's Centers were closed because of Covid 19, but the restrooms were open and quite clean. Few tourist or bicyclers on the road or on trails.

The views are amazing here. My husband and I have visited and hiked several volcanoes in the world. The colorful and unique landscape here offers a unique perspective. We were astounded at the colors present in the geological formations. The easiest way to access the top is to drive. Since we were traveling with our (older) parents, we opted for that route. But, you can complete several lengthy hikes, which we would definitely do in the future. Once at the top, you can take some shorter hikes which offer different vantage points, all of value. If you are not accustomed to altitude, you may notice yourself becoming more out of breath than usual. Take breaks and use those mini-breaks to enjoy the incredible scenery. It is significantly colder than at sea level. We were lucky it was a sunny day, temps were about 42 (wind chill at 35) at summit, so we were comfortable in shorts and windbreakers, as long as we were moving! Prepare for lower temps at the top! If you are prepared, you will enjoy your time there.

People who think this road is dangerous are scaremongering. Its absolutely safe. Ridiculous reviews here. The drops aren't thousands of feet. The road is well maintained and much better than the Hana road which is still fine in my world but people on here seem to freak at that too. I have wicked vertigo and I'm rubbish at heights but honestly no squeaking from me on this road, I'm sure my husband was delighted 😄 I've certainly been up scarier roads in Scotland, the Greek Islands and Maderia. We thought the road was great, the views are fantastic and the crater is completely awe-inspiring. Do it!

Haleakala Crater is a must do activity to add to your Maui itinerary.

First, let’s talk about the reason your probably reading this, sunrise. I did not do the sunrise on the summit, but keep reading. To do the sunrise on your own you’ll need to make reservations 60-days in advance. If tickets are gone for the day you want, you’ll have another opportunity 2-days before the intended day. Tickets release at 7:00am Hawaii time. Good luck, I haven’t seen tickets sell out quicker than when I tried to watch my favorite music performer in concert. When I looked up tours I was astonished. I was not about to drop $200+ PP to go watch a sunrise. I decided we’d do sunset instead.

The advantage of doing sunset is: no reservations required as of writing this (10/3/2022), you do the drive to the summit during the day, and it’s warmer. Here’s the truth you probably don’t want to hear because everyone has hyped up the sunrise. I’ve seen hundreds of sunsets and sunrises around the world. They aren’t any different from each other. If you’re trying to decide between the two, do the sunset. It’s less chaotic, you won’t lose sleep, you won’t freeze, and you’ll thank me later. The other advantage all comes down to science. There is ALWAYS more cloud coverage in the morning so you risk not seeing a good sunrise at all and in some cases it’ll rain. The sun burns off the clouds while it sets (there will be some cloud coverage in some cases - after all, it’s nature). With a sunset, you’ll just have a really good chance (better than sunrise) to actually see the sun do it’s thing.

With that out of the way, I also HIGHLY recommend doing the trail into the crater. You don’t need to do the whole thing, but do enough of it to experience it. The landscape and colors within it honestly make you feel like you’re on another planet. Make the trip for the sunset worth it by going early to get this done first or stay after the sunrise if that made it on your itinerary and do it then.

The best parking for the trail is the first parking lot you encounter. Once you’re done there, move your car to the next parking lot on the summit. If you’re going for sunrise, try and park on the summit to begin with and then move to the second parking lot to do the trail and if you’re coming for the sunset, I’d move my car to the summit lot at least by 4:00pm.

There’s plenty of space to see the sunrise/set. For either, dress warm and with layers. I live in New England and even I was a bit cold. It wasn’t unbearable in shorts and a tee for sunset, but I definitely wish I had a jacket. I’d expect the morning to be around 40 degrees.

Tips: bring snacks because there aren’t many places to buy them on the way. Fill up your gas tank, you don’t want to be left stranded and it’s a long drive up/down. Be patient, when driving there there will be a hundred cars in front of you and behind you. Everyone moves pretty smoothly; it’s not stop and go traffic by any means.

Our third trip to Maui decided to finally make this trip. First off, don’t forget to make a reservation. If you do (like we did) you can check at 7:00am Hawaii time and they release more spots which is how we got in.

We left the Grand Wailea at 3:30am after reading this took several hours. Google Maps was tight it was just about 1,5 hours so we were there WAY early.

It is cold. We’re from Iowa and no stranger to cold though didn’t have our full arsenal of gear, we thought we were prepared but were not. Pack gloves, stocking cap a “base layer” for your legs. I’d honestly wished I had my Carhardts like the park ranger did.

We were “weathered out” in that the wind was blowing the “wrong way” according to one Park Ranger, so right as sunrise approached suddenly we were blocked in with fog/clouds and couldn’t see a damn thing.

We commented we didn’t quite know what we could see that would be worth getting up so early and making a 1.5 hour drive. We couldn’t come up with anything. We were home and exhausted by 10:00am and slept. So it was a wasted day freezing our baguette’s off.

Do yourself a favor and stay on the beach.

We headed up 9:30ish am. No traffic going up however it was cloudy. Definitely head up earlier. The view by observatory is a great view and looks like Mars. Neat to see the another ecosystem up there. Ate at Kula Lodge afterwards.

Absolutely breathtaking!

This was another must do to add to your list when you visit Maui! The drive up the mountain is fun. Climate changes a couple of times the higher in elevation you get.

**Tip - I'm sure the sunrise tour is cool... BUT if you can't get tickets, we personally went for the sunset instead and I thought it was gorgeous. Actually, I would recommend that instead for two reasons:
- You can get there earlier, find a parking spot and do some of the short hikes.
- You can stop at the store on the way up
- Most important of all, if it's a clear sky, stay until the sun goes down completely. You will see more stars than you could count in a lifetime. It was the prettiest night sky I've seen in my life. I promise it's worth staying another hour or so.

**Tip - I thought there's no way it could get remotely cold in Hawaii; I was wrong. Make sure to at least bring a sweatshirt or blanket. Started out at 79 when we were at the base, it was 44ish by the top. Constant wind.

This drive and your can take anywhere from 6 hours and up depending on time you dorms enjoying the overlooks, hikes and views and is obviously best when it is less cloudy. Cost for the National park entry is $30/vehicle (good for 3 days at both parts of the park). We started out around 10AM and stopped first at Hosmer’s Grove where we hiked the short trail and enjoyed the trees and the peaceful trail. (About .25 miles short loop and .6 longer hike - we did the longer one). It was starting to just but we continued to Halemau’u Trail. We planned on walking only to the rim overlook and back (about - mile each direction) because it was starting to rain pretty good and there may not be a good view. We were right - got there very wet with little to see, but snapped photos anyhow! We decided to continue up because by the time we got to the car the rain had stopped and the sun was peeking out with the cloud cover moving out. We stopped at Kalahaku Overlook and spent some time taking pictures and enjoying the views of the crater floor. Next stop at Paka’ao’ao we took the short hike and again spent time taking in the views and lots of photos. We then went to the summit and took pictures and spent about an hour enjoying it all! The sunrise at the summit requires advance reservations and tickets but the sunset and star viewing I have heard are just as good snd don’t require the reservations. We were there during the late afternoon (around 4-5) and people were already setting up for sunset views. It was absolutely awe inspiring! It can get cool up at the top so plan on having a jacket or sweater, especially if staying after dark.

This drive into the state Park is a must.
The road and pull offs are in tip top shape, pavement looks new as most Maui roads.
The views and photo opportunities are around every corner. Once you get to visitors center at the top be prepared for cooler temps, warm hats and jackets may be needed.
Your above 10,000 feet , if your not in great shape or not use to them altitudes, limit your hike as breathing is a little more difficult.

At the risk of sounding like a nagging mother 😂, wear sunscreen and bring snacks and water (for everyone in your group) in your backpacks on this adventure!

Even if you drive through clouds on the way up, don’t worry! Haleakalā is the House of the Sun, and there is a great chance that you will break through the clouds and have a sunny experience before you get to the summit!

Once you drive into the park, start out at the Park Headquarters Visitor Center to get the lay of the land, ask the park rangers your questions, use the restroom, and buy your souvenirs. (It closes at 4:00, so you might not have time at the end of your excursion if you wait.)

Then, take the drive all the way to the summit overlook to the highest elevation at 10,023 feet. Next, head back down a little to the Haleakalā Visitor Center. (This visitor center was closed for repairs when we were there, but there were restrooms and clean water.) When you get there, take the short hike on the Pā Ka’oao Trail to the overlook and then walk into the valley/crater on the longer Sliding Sands Trail. However long you walk into the crater, plan on it taking twice as long to come back up. You’ll need to be in pretty good shape for the hike back up.

Side note: on this adventure, it was the only time we spotted a nēnē (the Hawaiian state bird) and the rare silversword plant.

Coming back down Haleakalā is a great opportunity to see an amazing sunset, so plan your time wisely. You might get lucky enough to see the sun set into the clouds and then again into the ocean.

The drive (up and down) is not for the faint of heart—there are lots of curves and no guardrails! Consider this as you plan your time if you don’t want to drive down once it is dark.

That being said, being here is an otherworldly experience and it makes one wonder, When God created Earth, did He start with Maui?

We were looking for something different to do, so we decided to check out this crater. The drive up takes a bit, but the views are beautiful. It is chilly up there, so be sure to take a jacket. We had a cloudy day, but it still cleared enough briefly for us to see how beautiful it is . Also keep an eye out for the nenes - they are so cute! We definitely recommend this stop!

Many go here for the sunrise however mid day is warmer and also very appealing. We always enjoy our kid day trips to the top of the mountain

as long as you're here, pay at the gate, get to the top and hike around. bring a jacket and hat- it's often blowing and cold. Bring your lunch, enjoy the view. It snows up here every 5 years!

We came here 25 years ago and just wanted to revisit and reminisce. It was as magical as the first time we were here! It is definitely worth the drive. Just be sure to bring a jacket. It does get cold up there!

We had heard that watching the sunrise from the top of the crater was a must see. It really was beautiful! We did however have a hard time getting a permit to enter the park. They only release so many because of the parking spaces and most are sold out way in advance. Two days prior to your visit, they release 80 more, but they sell out within a matter of minutes. The cost is only $1, but then you pay $30 to get in the park the day of your visit. The road up is very curvy and you are climbing from sea level to an altitude of 10,000 feet. Because of having to leave at 2:00 in the morning to allow for the drive up to get there before the sun starts coloring the clouds, everyone was sleepy, car sick, altitude sick and freezing cold. Actually, the stars and satellites that crossed were the highlight of our trip.

This was the most moving tour in competition with the Grand Canyon! Nettie, our Kapuna tour bus driver took us up to Haleakala National Park on Maui at sunset. She was a 12 out of 10 commentator and informing as well as inspirational tour guide! We were so honored to be with one of only 500 full blooded Hawaiian's left as a tour guide. We had a heart stopping view of the crater and the mind blowing sunset above the clouds. Our most memorable tour of our cruise and excursions!

Depending on where you are coming from, your final approach to Haleakela National Park, and Haleakela Crater will be on Haleakela Hwy, just over 20 miles of climbing and twisting up the side of a volcano. The views will get more and more other-worldly as you climb. You will come to the Park Headquarters Visitor Center first, and this might be a good stop for information and to use the restrooms. When you finally reach the visitor center at the top, at 9,740 ft in elevation you'll know you are not in Kansas anymore. From the visitor center you have great views down into the crater. There are a couple trails that start right from the visitor center parking lot. I went out only a short distance on the Keonehe‘ehe‘e (Sliding Sands) trail and got a different angle on the view into the crater, and it was away from the crowds at the visitor center. You can go a little further along the road to the Red Hill summit building, but other than a close up view of the Haleakela Observatory buildings, which are closed to the public, the views are about the same. Be aware that the climate at the top can be drastically different (COLDER!) from that where you started your drive. Plan ahead. Also, we drove in and out of fog / clouds as we climbed higher. It doesn't mean it will be socked in at the top. You really do feel like you are standing on the moon when you look down into the crater with it's beautiful color hues and desolated slopes.

Just an incredible experience and view. Unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Looks like another planet and not of this world.

If you reserve up to two month's in advance, you have a 4-hour window to arrive (from 3:00AM to 7:00AM). We were up in Ka'anapali, left at 5:15am, and barely got there before sunrise. Dress warmly as is it COLD and WINDY. Incredible experience though!

Excellent journey into volcanology. More switchbacks than moments to enjoy. Vesuvius is more exciting.

Very lovely! Dress warmly! Several short trails around top. Be sure to visit the top summit view. Weather is constantly changing. Clear one minute and cloudy the next. 10,000 feet high! Do the lookouts on way down.

The drive up Haleakalā is a sporty experience and be ready to take your time, be safe, and courteous to fellow drivers, cyclists and Ne Ne (and other bird life). That said, the road is in excellent condition, two lane, all paved, and well marked, especially on the hairpin curves, pull offs, and trail heads. We’ve driven up Mt Washington in NH (terrifying) and Rt 340 on the north end of Maui (don’t recommend it) and this is far less terrifying but still a technical drive. We got lucky with clouds and had a pretty clear day. Trails are well marked if you do some day hiking. Do bring plenty of water…you are at between 9-10K ft after being at sea level, and you will feel it when you walk the trails and it is dry and can be very sunny even if it “looks” clouded over from the beach. Total worthwhile day trip. We drove up around noon, hit the summit around 1pm. If you do sunrise/sunset, just know there are no road lights and it is a technical driving experience. So go with a tour operator for sunrise/sunset if you are a nervous/bad driver.

Sunrise or Sunset on top of the Haleakala, that was the question. I went for the sunset as you don’t need a reservation for it like you do for the sunrise. That’s how I could check how the weather was on the same day and deceive spontaneously which day to go. You want to bring warm clothes or even a blanket as it gets quite cold up there. The view is stunning and you can easily look over to Big Island from the top. After sunset you want to leave very quick as everyone starts to drive down again.
My tip: the entry ticket is valid for three days, so I recommend to combine visiting the Haleakala for sunset or sunrise with your Road to Hana Trip in this period of time as you will need the entry ticket as well to visit the seven sacred pools.

My family loves visiting national parks and Haleakala did not disappoint. The views driving up the mountain and from the summit were incredible. We also hiked the forest trail at Hosmer Grove and visited some of the viewpoints on thew ay up to the summit. We took our time soaking everything in. A highlight of our Hawaii trip!

We drove up to the summit of Haleakala Crater to see the sunrise, but the night sky without ambient light or pollution was equally spectacular. We left our hotel at 2:30 am (yes, that early) since the 35-40 mile drive is nothing but switchbacks w/o any lights. Also, you need a $1 ticket to get into the park before 7 am and need to get it in advance online.

Once we got to the summit, the stars we totally amazing. I have never seen so many stars, nor actually seen the Milky Way by looking into the side of our galaxy. And then we watched the night sky slowly give way to a spectacular sunrise, The colors over the crater and in the crater morphed and blended ever so slightly over time but presented a beautiful view over time.

Unfortunately we did no get to see the sunrise after getting up a 2:00am for a 3:00 pickup from the hotel. It was cold 43F and the wet clouds were sitting on top of the crater. You take your chances.

Getting to the top, with little traffic this visit, was one thing due to covid-19 that I didn't mind. A very chilly and windy greeting, made for a quick trip to the lookout points. We stopped at the lower parking lot for a restroom visit. Both stops offered clear vistas into the crater for some great photos. A bit greener this visit.
Mahalo.

There is a trail that goes down into the "crater". Apparently it's not technically a crater as the landscape was formed from erosion and not volcanic activity but either way it's beautiful. There are many colors present due to the different minerals. For example the yellow colors from the sulfur. There are excellent lookout areas for picture taking.

Haleakala Crater looks like what another planet might look like. Beautiful in a desolate sort of way. Be sure to take jackets. It is windy up there! Even when the sun is shining, the altitude makes the Crater area much cooler than you might imagine. This would be a great place to take school age kids, something most kids won't experience in a lifetime! Allow about 4 hours to drive up then back down. But GO ! It is worth the time you spend doing it. The roads are well cared for and speed limits are slow. The scenery along the way is also very beautiful. Rolling valleys, with cattle roaming and farms flourishing.