Haleakala National Park Reviews

Sadly they started making you reserve 2 months in advance just to park for the sunrise. Very disappointing as halfway up mountain there was a sign saying make sure you have registration. We were confused and saw that since 2017 you can only reserve online to park for 1$ 2 months in advance. Unfortunately you cannot buy then at the park and can only be bought online. When we got there 30 minutes before sunrise the staff was rude and told us "I need you to turn around and wait until the sun comes up then come here and pay 30 dollars.. and dont hover around go drive a half mile back and wait". It was obvious there was parking available. When we arrived after sunrise the entire parking lot was empty except for 3-5 cars. I am from Oahu and wanted to show my elderly parents sunrise. I talked it up so much as I visited this sacred place in 2015 with no issue like this at all. It is a beautiful park but so disappointing how they are controlling it . Shame on this.

The drive going up to Haleakala is great and we had a nice sunny day. We brought our jackets and were glad we did as it was very windy. We attended 2 ranger programs which were very informative. Learned a lot about Hawaiian volcanos.

We went on a cloudy afternoon, and it was still quite something to see and experience. This is definitely something that can't be missed while in Maui.

Wow...just wow! The drive up to the summit is beautiful, but watch out for bicyclists hurtling down the mountain...on the switchbacks and hairpin turns it can get iffy. The summit offers gorgeous views and it's cold and very windy, so dress appropriately. Just down from the summit is the visitor center at 9700 feet, and there are more wonderful chances for photos of the mountain and the cinder cones. We did part of the Sliding Sands trail and every turn provided another Kodak moment. The landscape reminded me of the way I felt at Yellowstone...very otherworldly. Cute items at the gift shop, but your memories and photos are the best keepsakes.

Sunset not to be missed

My advice is to go early afternoon, hike around the crater, and drive up to the top for the most magical sunset above the clouds. Then, stick around for 30 minutes and it gets pitch black, the stars come out, and you can see the entire Milky Way.

Sunrise was spectacular and worth getting up so early! It was a once in a lifetime

achievement for me! The crater itself was amazing to see after the sun came up.

It's not to be missed while in Maui

Ok, so we made it! It seems a lot goes into making it to the summit for sunrise so I'll start from the beginning:

Registering; Make sure you go the nps.gov site to book. You can book only 7 days in advance for the low, low price of $1.00! Bit of advice, this sells out almost instantly since they only sell 50 passes at a time. So go in & register/create your account all your info before trying to book or you'll never get a pass. Then go in @ exactly 7am HST (10am PST). Best to be ready w/ your CC info because this sells out within seconds (I'm not kidding!).

The day before; Check the website because the park may not be open due to weather or other reasons (more below).

The day of; We left Lahaina just before @ 3:30am & made it to the entrance just before 5am & they were closed! WTH?! We stopped at lookout where all the disgruntled people were gathering just below entrance. We spoke w/ a lady who said she saw on site they were closed for winter conditions (we never found that notice). We all stood around complaining on why they don't send an email & trying to download a compass to see if we would be able to see the sunrise from where we were. Spoiler alert, there is NO place to see the sunrise on that side of mountain! We decided to take in the stars (so beautiful!) and could even see the Milky Way! We noticed that some cars were going up but not coming down... We decided to try the entrance one last time. They were OPEN!!! We now raced to the summit to arrive just few min before sunrise.

The summit; It is SO COLD!!! We read it was cold & prepared accordingly. I had a shirt w/ a thick hoodie over, thick pants & a beanie. I was freezing even still! It was <30 degrees w/ wind that cut right through you. Honestly it was the first time since COVID I was happy to be wearing a mask. I recommend gloves & thick socks & maybe bring a space heater... You will still be cold but you won't lose a limb to frostbite.

The sunrise; to quote my friend Jodie "they should have sent a poet!" My word it is beautiful!!! Pictures don't do it justice & my vocabulary isn't large enough to provide a suitable depiction. Words like spectacular, divine, magnificent, sublime, etc. just don't capture it. It must be seen not read, viewed not pictured.

Mahalo for reading!

A week prior to arriving to Maui we had a chance to do stargazing at the Mauna Kea Visitor Center on Big Island, so we were familiar with the strong altitude increase experience already and were super excited to visit the park at least for the sunset - it was something spectacular!

The drive up, reviewed separately under Haleakala Highway (Crater Road) profile here on TA, is an experience in itself! If you have the American the Beautiful Pass then use it here - it's on of the 3 places (technically 4 if you count the area in Hana that has an additional entrance to the "same" park here) in the State of Hawaii where this pass works. We haven't visited any other place in the park but went straight to the summit; there are 2 parking lots;

a. one at the 2nd visitor center (the first when you enter the park is called visitor center headquarters I believe)

b. and another one a bit higher where the highest vista point is available

We were stopped at first by the Park Guide who said the upper level is full but asked if we can still go there and check it out... yes it was full, even more than an hour before the sunset, but it was only 1 car ahead of us waiting for the spot so we waited and within 15m we got our parking spot :) don't leave if you experience the same, there are maaaaaaaaaanyyyyyyyyy people who come here unprepared for the super cold temperatures and crazy wind (we visited in the first week of November) so they tend to leave pretty fast as it's not pleasant - to give you the idea, when we started driving in Kihei during the day it was +90F... by the time we got to the summit for the sunset the temp drop to about 40-45F, I wish I checked what it felt on the skin as the wind was absolutely brutal :) come here with jackets, long pants, closed shoes etc. - the only reason why we "survived" in shorts, in my case, is because we had neck guards, hats, gloves, etc. and still were freezing - let the moment carry you, like it did us! :)

There is this one structure with the glass that allows you to hide from the wind, but it's away from the edge - still great views from here. The upper parking lot has no restrooms, just the one below and it's quite a walk/if you drive down you will lose your parking spot so plan accordingly :)

TIP: take your time coming up, and going down - it's part of the experience, and make sure to visit that restroom on your way down, as it's a long drive and I bet that cold temperature will make you want to visit the restrooms :)))

Long tough drive and upon arrival we couldn't see anything due to weather conditions....cold, foggy & wet. Complete waste of time

Def going to recommend this place to everyone! Its so magical and something that would make you feel you are in your dream, but it's greater!
Two warnings:
- if you have problems with blood pressure or heart, try at least stay a day before going higher to Summit, in higher elevation. My mistake was staying next to the beach and going right up within 3-4 hours and I was passing out on Summit waiting for sunset
- if you want to see sunset in the highest Summit and you are with your car, be there at 4:45 latest as parking gets full by 5pm already. You can chill on top and make yourself comfy, and def bring food and blanket. And please be respectful to others and Hawaiian gods, so don't speak loud to your surroundings. No one needs loud conversations, it's really quiet up there, so everyone will hear you.

We made the trek up to Haleakala for sunrise and once again, got clouds. We have been going up for 34 years and have yet to see a really good sun rising. Maybe next time we will try sunset! It is very cold so wear warm clothes. People don't think it is cold up there because its on Maui but a heavy jacket, hat and gloves are needed. There is a parking lot right in front. You must follow the trail or a security guard will stop you. You also must make reservations because too many people were going for sunrise and I guess they didn't like that. Everyone should do it once!

This is a must-do if staying on Maui! We left our condo at 3:15 &. got there about 4:45 - 5:00 & the parking lot by the observatory only had 2 spots left. The best view is from the wall around the lookout at the observatory parking lot. If that parking lot is full a gate is closed & you'll have to park lower by the visitor center. We went mid-June & it was freezing cold up there! We had jackets & blankets, but I wish I had brought beanie hats & gloves. My fingers were so cold trying to take pics. We got some wind burn on our faces from the cold wind. Once you enter the National Park, there were no guard rails on the roads which was a little un-nerving, so we just drove really slow. Make sure you leave early enough to do that. You have to reserve a spot on-line & also pay to enter the National Park. It was totally worth everything!!

We went to see the sun rise here in Nov so not sure why Tripadvisor saying its closed

You do need a reservation (costs $1) and in addition pay the Park fees. The reservation is only done online but the Park fee can either be paid online or at the gate.

It is very cold at the top, so you need to be appropriately dressed up for that. The temps at the top will be below freezing with wind chill. I am not kidding! IF you are not dressed for that, then you will not be enjoying the sun rise.

The road to get to the top of the mountain is a little challenging, specially because the drive is during the dark ie before sun rise. We left at 3am and were at the visitor center at around 5:15 am. Visitor center is where most people stop to see the sunrise.

The sun will rise from opposite to where you enter the parking lot. Most people will be heading that way, so you can follow the crowds

After the sunrise, you can go to the top and go for a few hikes, but we didnt find anything special and ended up getting off at 3 places, one at the top and the other 2 as we were driving down

The cellphone and internet services are not the greatest here, so be prepared

Probably a must to do in Maui. We were lucky enough to get the parking ticket for the sunrise. However, it is ok to do sunset too. Sunrise is harder to do with kids since you need to make the trip waking up around 3 or 4 am depending on how far your drive is. Do not forget to get blankets. It is crazy cold and a must.

First and foremost, this sunrise is just...look at my pics. Should have sent a poet.

Second, I highly recommend you take a guided tour. They have perpetual access and this is not a road you want to drive on in at night while drowsy.

Third, the crater is just a spectacular ecological site of immense size.

One of the highlights of our Hawaiian trip.

We got up very early to catch the sunrise and were on time at the entrance gate, where we were "welcomed" by a lady with a cane. Unfortunately, she didn't let us in because none of our payment and credit cards worked (we tried four in total). He uncompromisingly sent us away even though we had paid for the parking reservation in advance and the best thing is that she did not offer us any other payment option even though she saw it and tried to pay with our cards in the machine herself. I would say that she almost didn't want to communicate with us. We are from Europe and we were very much looking forward to this experience, which was unfortunately not allowed to us, although in other parks the staff always helped us to pay in another way. We were very devastated and the whole day was spoiled.

We drove up in the dark to witness the sunrise. It was freezing (literally) but the view is amazing and the crater is other worldly. It was also a joy to enjoy the trip down in the daylight; you feel like you're flying.

Came here on a tour with Bike Maui, the sunrise here is incredible. Much information on the park with multiple informative signs, different experience than the rest of Maui.

As luck would have it, one member of our group was military reserve, allowing our party free entry up the volcano, as well as the section at the entrance near Seven Sacred Pools. Thank you National Park Service. Hint: save your paid reciept, as it allows entry into both, (from previous trips).

Our experience at Haleakala was really good. We witnessed a star studded sky like a planetarium, saw a shooting star and then experienced a magnificent sunrise. The visit to the Visitor Center was informative. Highly recommend the sunrise experience. The waking up early in the morning is worth it!

While on the Disney Magic, visited “the largest dormant volcano!” Pretty impressive. Stopped at visitor center, then on to the top.

We did both sections, one for sunset and stargazing and the other at the end of our Rod to Hana day. Both were great. If I had more time I would have hiked more.

Long drive from Kihei but worth the beautiful views along the way up to the summit and again at the summit. Our favorite view of the crater was from the Leleiwi Lookout. Don't pass it up.

Beautiful sunrise, worth the trip! Important: get there early! We thought we were early enough but we’re not! The parking lot was full so we parked in the overflow and walked the incline to the top! The walk isn’t do able for lots of folks! With the elevation and incline together, moderate to difficult walk on the paved road. Positive: sunrise was incredible! 1 of our best things to do!

Drove up to the summit at night. The views are amazing! Drive from the entrance to the summit takes about an hour with no traffic. It was a fun experience to drive through and above the clouds. We hit clouds at 6,000ft, and it was crystal clear once above. Bring a jacket, it was about 30 at the summit in March at night.

Worth the drive to make it to the summit and after seeing both the sunrise and the sunset... BOTH are awesome! I personally prefer the afternoon sunsets. Yes there are crowds but believe it is worth the hassle to make it Haleakala. The view of the craters is out of this worldish! And if a clear day, can see most of the island!

One of the most incredible experiences for dawn.
Must do. It’s cold so rug up, and make sure you take time to visit the crater after the sun is up

We drove to the top, stopping a few times along the way. There were some great views, both below and above the clouds. We stayed for the sunset, and we were not disappointed. Definitely, a must-see.

We decided to drive up ourselves instead of taking a sunrise or sunset guided tour. We downloaded the Shaka Maui Audio Driving Tour App to give us some entertaining information on our trip. This also gave us the freedom to add a few stops on trip back to our hotel. The views were great at all the view points, especially near the summit. We could even see Hawaii with its snow covered volcano. The driving up and down the winding switchback road to the summit was not too bad. Just put your car in low gear on the way down.

This is a not-to-be-missed national park when you visit Maui. The views are excellent and they supply everyone with the history and information to help you get a better appreciation of this area

Haleakala is something every Maui visitor should experience. The winding road to the top is a sightseeing dream. Island views, clouds, ocean views, volcanic vistas. Stop in the various pullouts & viewpoints to get views of the crater. Once at the top, hike the Sliding Sands trail into the crater. We hiked about 3 miles, taking our sack lunch and water. We recommend you start early as the clouds can blow up from the Hana side and obcure the views. We drove up at 8am to avoid traffic, get a parking spot, and see the volcanic landscape. At over 10,000 ft, the high elevation makes it harder to breathe, so take it slow when hiking. Definitely bring warm layers as it is colder at the top. It was 57° with winds at the top. Bring a hat too! The volcanic landscape is stunning. Visit the observation area at the summit to check out the observatory area there. We could also see Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island, both over 13,000 ft.

This was my 3rd visit to the top. It’s a bit like what you’d imagine the moon is like at the peak. The drive to the top is long and winding. It’s always borderline cold. A couple days after our visit they had a dusting of snow. Great view of the peaks of Hawai’i island. Good views of all islands except Kauai when it isn’t cloudy. Takes about half a day. Being at the top for sunrise is awesome but you need to start early to get there on time.

So we came up at 4 PM to hike a little before watching the sunset. Did Hosmer's Grove which isn't that great until you see all the birds. My sun wildlife camera stalked them until he got a great one of an i'iwi. The Hawaiian state bird - the nene -- kept jumping in the road as we drove by...which we loved and we didn't hit any!
We also did the Pa-Kao-o Overlook. Looked like a bowl of clouds until it miraculously cleared for 5 minutes and we got some great shots.
unfortunately, we did the first part of the Sliding Sands trail but the cloud cover was so dense that you couldn't see anything. About a half hour before sunset, we didn't think it was going to clear and we gave up so we'd miss the traffic of trailing behind hundreds of other disappointed people. Good thing. It took forever to get down and began pouring the rain...my husband would have killed me if I made him wait another hour to see nothing and get wet!

Wow! We went for sunset and didn’t have to make a reservation or wake up hours before dawn! Another plus, we got to take our time making our way up the windy, windy road to get there. Heads up- if you are from a flat place with straight roads, this is the opposite of that! It’s not awful though. The views are worth it! There are trails you can take or just enjoy the views from the top. I recommend walking the Leleiwi overlook and short trail. Worth it! Like others have said- take plenty of snacks and water. Be kind and patient when driving- there are scared drivers and bikes on the road!

This is absolutely worth the visit! It is about an hour to drive up from the bottom, so plan ahead. It is switchbacks the whole way up. Get there early for parking if you are planning to watch the sunset, and bring a sweatshirt and/or blanket. Seriously amazing views before, during, and after sunset!

Book a sunrise tour. You won't regret it.

Make sure to dress warmly though and get there early. It fills up quickly and you want to get a front row view.

Well this didn’t go as planned. The climb to the top is a long and winding one. We were not warned that entry for sunrise requires a reservation so we had to wait until 7:00. Entry in is $35 a car (which thankfully due to the shut down we didn’t have to pay) and once we made it to the top of the summit we couldn’t see anything due to the cloud coverage. The trip back down once the sun was up was full of beautiful views. 10,000 feet up and breathtaking. DRESS WARM. !

Took the trip to Haleakala before flying back to Ohua. Nice drive and only took about an hour from the airport. Nice farm land and views on the way up. Stopped to get pictures of wild goats grazing in the rocky fields. Very cold and windy at the top but stunning views. Somewhat foggy but good visibility in most spots that you would want to see. Worth doing while in Maui for a nice day trip.

Love this place and on a clear day you can see all the way to Oahu about 100 miles away. We had clouds while we were there but 30 years ago I did see all the islands to Oahu from the top. This is a must see park.

We stopped at all the overlooks and hiked about 5 miles of the Sliding Sands Trail. We really enjoyed being above the clouds and seeing the different colors of sand, the many cinder cones and the rare silversword plants. The road to and from the summit was a fun, curvy road to drive.

We went up on a cloudy day and we paid $30 at the booth at the bottom. We were not told that we may not get a view.

We saw so many beautiful photos and heard so many great things, but it had been cloudy all day with almost no visibility at the top So, even after driving all the way to the top at 10,000 ft, and changing from shorts and a t-shirt to pants, hoody and rainjacket, we could not see anything!

The staff at the top were nice, but we were not rewarded with a view. I wish they would've told us when we paid so we could've turned around and come back a different day.

The admission ticket is also good for entry on the Oheo Gulch side, so we used it there.

What a glorious opportunity it was to view the environs around Haleakala Crater from 10,000 ft up the winding, switchback road to the Maui heavens. After passing through recropped old sugarcane fields, lush green farmlands around Kula and driving through dense fog and clouds and through forested hillsides we came upon the gates to Haleakala National Park ten miles from the summit. Past the Park gates the landscape turns to lava rock covered mountain sides with the well paved double lane roadway to Haleakala Crater. From here up it was bright sunshine with a white cloud blanket over the lower reaches. The road was dicey and slow going throughout the park as there were sharp corners and no passing areas. You just have to take your time and enjoy the ride and views. The 25 sq mi crater floor provided colorful mounds and cones to view, with trails going down into the 2,600 ft deep crater and up higher to viewing platform. The park has a few campsites and long trails to walk around the mountain where stream courses catapult down through the lava fields. Viewing the sunrises and sunsets in the park is spectacular. Watch for Nene Geese and other birds throughout the park. Dress warm as it is cold, at dusk and dawn, up in the upper reaches of Haleakala National Park.

I enjoyed the drive up and liked seeing the elevation signs. It was cool to feel the drastic change in temperature as you’re going up too. We arrived at the top right before sunset so we didn’t get to experience “feeling like we’re on Mars” but it was pretty cool to be on top of the clouds until the sun disappeared. I don’t think the drive is nearly as bad or scary as people make it out to be.

We did the sunrise experience on Haleakala and figured out a way to avoid the crowds. We decided to spend the night prior at the Kula Lodge, which is approx 45 mins from the summit. This allowed us to sleep in a bit later than is we had stayed in our Ka'anapali hotel and still arrive early enough for some excellent stargazing. It was a particularly cold day in Maui and the summit (with windchill) was even colder than I had expected. We live in Chicago and brought our full winter gear, but were still really cold. We arrived at 5:30 am (sunrise was at 6:55) and there were already a handful of cars there. We walked up to the summit building (closed due to covid). The stars were epic! Very few people showed up until about 30 mins prior to sunrise and then they really crowded around and in front of other people - zero social or spacial awareness. It got so bad that we left 10 mins before sunrise (had already seen so many beautiful changes to the sky) - we were over the people. On our drive back down we spotted the Kalahaku Overlook and decided to give that a shot. There was no one else there and it was the perfect spot to watch the rest of the sunrise. Sure, we missed a few moments during our drive down, but it was amazing to have that view all to ourselves. It also meant that we were the first to start driving back down the hill, so we didn't get stuck behind slow cars or have others riding our tail. I would do it all again, but would bring handwarming packets for our gloves!

Sunrise was beautiful !! I would recommend going early so that you can enjoy the star gazing too as it is beautiful too !!!

This is about a 3ish mile hike. It honestly felt longer than that, but it's a pretty hike with a bunch of different types of scenery. My favorite part was the bamboo forest we walked through. There's another smaller loop down by the water, and it takes you to a black sand beach. Definitely go on that loop for the view, and if you don't have too much time.

Witnessing the sunrise at Haleakalā is an unforgettable experience. As you make your way up the mountain early in the morning, the anticipation builds with each twist and turn of the road. The air gets cooler, and the landscape transforms, with lush vegetation giving way to the otherworldly crater that awaits at the summit.

Once you arrive, find a spot to settle in, we hiked up about 1/8 of mile and found an incredible spot. The view is expansive, offering a panorama of clouds below, often creating a surreal sea of white. As dawn approaches, the sky begins to change from deep indigo to shades of pink, orange, and gold. The moment the sun peeks over the horizon is nothing short of magical, casting warm light over the unique volcanic landscape.

Make sure to dress warmly, as temperatures can be quite chilly before the sun rises! Bringing a camera to capture the stunning vistas is a must, but be present in the moment—it's truly a spectacle you won't want to miss.

Arrive early (we left at 3am from Kihei and felt we had plenty of time) to secure your parking spot, as the sunrise attracts many visitors. You MUST get a pass with a time slot in advance. Also, consider checking the weather forecast to ensure clear views of the sunrise.

Overall, sunrise at Haleakalā is a must-do for anyone visiting Maui. It’s a striking reminder of the beauty of our planet and a serene way to start the day. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or just looking for a peaceful moment, this experience is well worth it.

The summit is a short but moderate hike. The views are great, but there is second lookout off the visitor’s center where you can see three lava tubes which was awesome! I have travelled a bit, but I had never seen lava tubes.

Did the Haleakala sunrise tour with Skyline Hawaii this morning- it was awesome. Our driver/guide Marlon was fantastic- quite entertaining and knowledgeable. The sunrise did not disappoint- absolutely gorgeous and our breakfast at The Mill House was great! Overall great experience!

We decided to drive to Haleakala Summit for sunset instead of sunrise (fewer people, less cold and no need to register) and experienced a wonderful sunset. Highly recommend despite the long drive

This is the coolest place! It was at the top of our list for Maui so we could see Silverswords. They are other worldly plants that shimmer in sunlight. They are only found there!

People say it gets really cold at the top but we're from Utah and it wasn't so cold. It was windy and I'm sure it could get colder so take a jacket, at least.

The Visitor's Center wasn't open but it has bathrooms and some info signs. There are also examples of Silverswords in the little landscaped area out front.

The drive up is nice - it is dry landscape but look out and watch for the plants. They shine in the light. There are a few walks to do up at the top and the observatories are nifty. I wish they'd do a tour or a night show at one.

We stopped at all the pull-outs that had info signs and took pictures of the landscape. There were rangers at one who answered all our questions.

We also hiked at Hosmer campground. The road into it is near the entrance at the bottom. It was a beautiful hike in a cool forest - that's where we needed jackets. We got to see several endemic birds and an owl - the highlight of the trip for the birders in our group! Plan on spending at least half a day exploring!

The spectacular sunrise is a must see and definitely worth getting up for!

We have partaken in this adventure numerous times in the past. My daughter had checked the National Park website prior to our drive up the mountain in January. However once we reached the park gate, we were turned back due to a change in the rules that in my view is not adequately advertised on their website (there were a few road signs prior to the entrance gate though).

In order to view the new rule which came into effect in 2017, it is only accessed when clicking on Plan Your Visit then Basic Information then Operating Hours and Seasons: "everyone entering the Summit District of the park between 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM must have a sunrise reservation that is displayed on their vehicle dashboards, even if they do not plan on viewing sunrise".

This new rule should be described on the FIRST page of the website! This is especially relevant to visitors who have travelled this route may times and supposedly know what they are doing.

The view of the volcanic valley is not to be missed. I have seen nothing like it elsewhere. However, go early as the clouds may roll in late morning or early afternoon and all you will see is fog. We did not go for sunrise, but arrived about 9 so all was well. Recommend a short walk down the Shifting Sands Trail to the viewpoints (about 1 mile).

Jaw dropping views at Haleakalā National Park. Rent a car grab your camera and drive there for seriously amazing views. Love it

The photos of this place are amazing and we did get to see some of the views, but the clouds were moving in below us obscuring some of the scenery. I will try again another time and maybe leave a little earlier, as the clouds tend to gather more in the afternoon. What we could see was otherworldly beautiful. The road is windy and narrow in some spots on the way up. Not for the faint of heart or those with fear of heights.

Drove to the park and did three hikes and then drove all around the volcano to return. Very enjoyable day. Worth the drive.

We enjoyed hiking some of the trails in the area, and of course the views from the top were stunning. Bring a jacket, and, if your bald like me, a hat.

Twisty road and long drive to get there, but so worth it!!
The views are amazing, and we got there at sunset for absolutely amazing view.
It was really neat to see the mountain tops above the clouds!

There is also a lot of information about the weather patterns and how they move around the island which was neat.

It is chilly up there, so make sure to bring layers!!

Haleakala National Park is known for its crater sunrise and sunset views. Come for those, but take your time and experience the park. We stopped at the tourist center and did a ranger hike. Due to the impending rain, we stayed around the center and learned so much about the park and its ecosystem. So impressive!

Let me just start out by saying... yes, this was majestic! But my husband and I also think it's a bit overhyped. I mean it was beautiful, but not life-changing / the most beautiful thing we've seen... maybe our expectations were just too high based on what we'd heard and read.

The sunrise was going to be at around 7:00am (this is in January), so we left around 3:45am from Kihei and arrived around 5:45am (I did drive a bit slower, since I get nervous on windy roads - especially the parts right next to cliff edges, and we also made a restroom stop after we passed the entry fee booth).

We paid $30 for the entry fee.

For the most part, the drive was fine. There were definitely windy parts, but thankfully my husband (who got motion sick on Road to Hana) dealt fine with it. I think what was more nerve-wracking were the parts where you're going up the actual volcano for maybe 50 minutes or so, and it almost kind of feels like you're driving into the sky, and for half of the roads you feel pretty close to the edge of the cliff... if that makes sense. And since we both got back later the previous night, we didn't get much sleep... but thankfully we made it fine with me driving up and my husband driving down. (For me, it helped driving up because there were fewer cars, so I felt less pressure and could drive more slowly.)

I'm glad we got there when we did (5:45am) because then we could stand in the best position at the summit view. We brought beach chairs with us to sit on as we waited... but turned out we didn't use them as much, because I thought I might freeze unless I stood!

Which brings me to my biggest tip: BUNDLE UP! Yes, what you read is true. Wind chill is real. Apparently it was around 40 degrees but it really felt colder than that. I don't know if I've ever been in such cold weather outdoors for so long (note: I'm from California)... I could only take my hands out of my pocket for a minute at a time. I'm so glad we happened to have packed winter clothes with us for our next leg of our trip, and that I also wore double layers of pants. I wish I could've found my beanie, but we just used our scarves to wrap around our heads. But yes... to us, it was COLD!

People also said there were no restrooms, but technically there are - just at the visitor center maybe 5-10 minutes' drive below the summit. There's also another stop close to the entry fee booth with restrooms.

There is also one part a bit below the visitor center where you might get confused and take the wrong path to an outlook... we did that on accident coming back down from the summit. Just keep going on the "main path" - don't follow the urge to take any turns.

And last tip: bring snacks! I had packed us a to-go breakfast parfait so we wouldn't get motion sick on empty stomachs.

The park was our destination and our reason for heading to Maui. The sunrise at Haleakala requires a reservation and getting up long before the sun rises to drive in the dark up a twisting road until you get to 10,000 feet where the oxygen is noticeably missing. It is also chilly on the lookout deck. Nonetheless, if I forget about that, it was an incredible experience. We hiked down the crater, which is desert-like and beautiful. But the return trip back up was doubly challenging as we were deprived of air and there is no shade cover whatsoever.
The lower end of the park requires you to drive the treacherous Road to Hana. After that, though, the contrast with the upper portion of the park is crazy. It's a sopping wet rainforest, including a bamboo forest which is otherworldly (although pretty common in Asia, I guess) for the United States. Plenty of waterfalls and Banyan trees to see. Just a gorgeous park. Put your most competent driver in charge to get there.

Haleakalā National Park is named after Haleakalā, a dormant Volcano, which last erupted sometime between 1480 and 1600 AD. The park covers an area of 52.0 sq mi; and is divided into two distinct sections: the summit area, which has 38.6 sq mi of wilderness, and the coastal Kipahulu area.
To reach the crater at the summit of the Haleakala National Park, there is a long winding well maintained road that contains many blind turns, very steep drop-offs without guardrails, and 32 switchbacks, but also passes the visitor center restrooms.
Sometimes animals including cows and Nene geese cross the highway, watch out for them when the conditions are foggy. Even though The National Park Service has suspended commercial bicycle tours within the park after many fatal bike accidents, they are still a danger on the lower slopes of the highway, especially on blind corners when the inexperience cyclists tend to swing wide.
As you near the Haleakala National Park crater look out for the silversword plant it only grows here and nowhere else on Earth. The grounds of the crater are dotted with numerous rare Ahinahina plants, and Nēnē (Hawaiian geese,) can be seen wandering around near the carparks WC, and steps leading up to the observatory.
For Hikers, there are two trails leading into the crater from the summit area the Halemau'u and Sliding Sands trails. The unusually clear views of the night sky here make Haleakalā one of the best places in the United States for amateur astronomy, so bring your binoculars or telescopes.
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. (You have to book at least one or two months in advance)
To drive the road without stopping to admire the "moonlike" scenery will take between 1 and 1.5 hours, the sunset is just as magnificent, and not as crowded. The last place for food or petrol is in Makawao.

TIP: Buy a National Park pass for $20 from the park warden, it covers the entrance for the whole car, plus it can be used for all the other parks nationwide.
I would apricate a thumbs up below if you found this review informative.
Thank you.

The drive and our time spent were absolutely beautiful! We were in Kahuli for the day on a cruise ship and had rented a car. Admission was free to us, due to the National Park Pass. We spent some time in the visitor center, got maps and some information and drove up the mountain from there. The weather was good, but bring a jacket; it gets cool up there. Later the clouds moved in and we had some rain and fog on the way back down, but it just added to the experience.
Highly recommend to go there.

Great place to hike, can be misty in places, cyclists can be a problem so beware. Well worth a visit to the top and the crater

This national park is open again, although the visitor centers are closed. Bathrooms and water bottle refilling are available. This is a fascinating experience for all - to drive to the top of the mountain and then look inside the crater of a long dormant volcano! Beautiful scenery of multiple biomes along the way. At the end, you’re above the clouds and on a clear day you can see all of Maui and much of the nearby islands. If you are lucky, you may also get to see a nene’ (endangered bird)!

Suggestions- watch for bikers on the road up/down the mountain. Bring along a sweatshirt or light jacket, it’s much cooler on top. No gas/snacks available along most of the road, so plan accordingly. Bring a good camera - these are ‘once in a lifetime’ views! Hiking trails available for those interested. Camping hasn’t reopened yet. Sunrise visits are available again with pre-registration.

Even though it was a bright sunny day as we were driving up the volcano, it did get cloudy and rainy about the time we were entering the park. The Ranger warned us that it had been windy and cloudy nearly all day up there, but we decided to forge ahead anyway. Although the road was not nearly as scary as the Road to Hana, it did feel nerve-racking, the higher we went due to the wind and lack of visibility. We were hoping it would clear so we could see the sunset, but no such luck. So we just ended up turning around so we could do part of the drive back down in the light. I was really disappointed as I had been hoping to see the crater. I definitely want to try going again if I ever make it back to Maui

Due to covid no rangers were present and the gift shop was closed. but the views were spectacular to see.

We went first thing in the morning. The drive is part of the adventure to get there - you wind up on along the cliff of the volcano. The views are inspiring as you climb above the cloud line. We were fortunate, and it was a completely clear day. The view inside the crater of all the cinder cones and the long drive up makes you feel that you have driven so high that you have reached another planet. You see mounds of multi-colored cinder cones spread throughout the crater. They say that the crater wasn't created how typically created, but rather by enclosing in on itself. Definitely worth the trip to be aweinspired by both inside the crater and outside.

Whether it's because you can't get the (required) tickets to go at sunset (you could always book a tour group that can provide you with a ticket) or because driving the mountain in the dark worries you, please know that it's still worth a visit if you can't go at sunrise or sunset. I wasn't up for driving the side of a mountain in the dark, so we opted to go mid-day. It was rainy and we wondered if we'd even be able to see anything once we got to the top, but as we stopped at the Visitor's Centers on the way up, the Park Rangers were able to give us current weather conditions and they were hopeful. It turned out we had no problems - enough clouds so that we could tell how high we were (some were above us, we were above others) but not enough that they obscured our views.

If you're going to Hawaii and will be driving once there, I highly recommend the GyPSy Guide app, which you can download to your phone (for a fee - we paid $40 and got all of Hawaii, not just Maui, and we loved it last year on Kauai and the Big Island, and again this year on Maui). It provides driving directions, but also commentary on what you're seeing, the history and culture of the islands - it was like having a professional tour guide in the car with us. The GyPSy Guide had said that we shouldn't let the weather at the bottom worry us, and it was correct. It also made the 2 hour drive in each direction more interesting, filling the time with facts, figures, legend, and some levity.

Take food and water for your trip, as none is available once you're inside the park. Also, come prepared for the weather - it could be cold and windy (it definitely will be at sunrise) but at that elevation you could also get sunburn, so layering is a great idea.

Know ahead of time that the park admission is valid for 3 days, so if you plan to visit again or want to visit the other section, you'll want to plan your initial entry accordingly. There are two distinct sections of Haleakala National Park: the Summit District (the crater and the 10,000 foot summit) and the Kīpahulu District, which is found past the end of the Road to Hana, and meets the sea.

We were unable to go for the sunrise because you need reservations which we didn't have, but went anyway just after and it was awesome, so glad we did. It is cold on top, bring a jacket or some kind.

We have visited a lot of National Parks since we are seniors with a Lifetime National Park Pass. The ones we visited while in Hawaii are definitely the fartherest ones we have ever ventured to from our home state of Missouri. This one is a little past Hana when driving the Road to Hana. I walked the first half mile up the trail towards the waterfall. My friend and I turned around and our husbands walked the rest of the way to the waterfall. They said it was worth the walk. They didn't get back off the trail until almost 4 so we had to drive straight back and ended up driving the last hour of the Road to Hana in the dark which I do not recommend.

Apparently one needs to make a reservation to enter and see the sunrise prior to 6:59 but are free to enter at 7am.

They claim they were trying to keep at 50 people people but how would that work if one can enter shortly after sunrise and join the reserved people?

Mountain View and sunrise are beautiful the mindsets running the park not so much.

Be sure to reserve your entry to the national park to watch the sunrise.

Amazing and breathtaking. It was cold, mainly from the wind chill. The views were breathtaking. Everything felt very precious there even before the sunset views. This is a must do in Maui Even though the road may be rough due to all the hairpin turns. I don't recall any scary hairpins but most hairpins were definitely 10 to 15 mph limits.

An amazing park a the top of the world. Hiking at 10,000 feet
was like walking on the moon. Very windy , but we had a sunny day- great ! it felt like we were on the moon with beautiful water below. Dress in layers for this experience and don't miss it.

Beautiful!! Excellent views. The scenery was outstanding. Made our trip complete! We thoroughly enjoyed hiking here.

Definitely go to the summit at sunset instead of sunrise, it is as spectacular and means you don’t have to get up at 3am, and it doesn’t require a reservation! At any time of day it depends what the clouds are doing that determines how spectacular it looks.

It takes a couple of hours to get up the mountain and I advise getting up to the top at least an hour before sunset is scheduled as the car park at the summit does fill up, even for sunset.

It is very cold so bring plenty of layers and also snacks/drink as there is obviously nothing up there. There are a couple of restroom stops on the way at the visitors centre

There are also plenty of hiking trails if you want to go earlier in the day and make a day of it.

Bought the Shaka guide for our self guided trip to Haleakala. It provided a great narrative for our trip. Pointing out all of the different places to stops, overlooks, hikes. We had a wonderful time. The sky even opened up for a couple of minutes for some pictures!

We loved our stop here! So much to see! The bamboo forest was awesome! The waterfalls at the end of the hike were the icing on the cake! Nothing else like it!!

Woke up at 2am to make sure we were there for the sunrise. The drive completely in the dark with so many switchbacks was a bit scary especially with the tour busses speeding behind us, but well worth the time and the drive. Make sure to dress warmly because it is cold at the top, but you will be rewarded with a glorious sunrise. Tickets are released 60 days in advance and they only release 125 tickets per day so reserve well in advance.

If the weather is clear, the views at the summit of Haleakalā National Park are spectacular. Watching the sunrise as it appears over the crater is said to be an almost spiritual experience. I didn't do this as it requires being on the road by 4-430am if staying at Ka'anapali Beach and you will need to make a reservation for entry either 60 days in advance of 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. I arrived at 1045am with the intention of hiking the strenuous Sliding Sands Trail. 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 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. This was a strenuous 6-hour hike down into the crater starting near the visitor center. The last 2 hours hiking out of the crater through the numerous switch backs was brutal. Hiking poles are a necessity. Only hiking out of the Grand Canyon was comparable. 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.

This was a half-day car trip from Wailea but well worth it. We were aware that a lot of people like to go to the top of the mountain for sunrise and sunset. To avoid the crowds we didn't head up until late morning. Traffic was pretty minimal and most of the bicycles had finished their descent. The roads are very good but speeds are slow in getting up and down the mountain. We lucked out and there were no clouds/fog to deal with. It was a bright sunny day with 55 degree temps at the top. We didn't bring jackets but since we'd come from snow at home we didn't feel too cold! We could see Lanai, Molokai, and the big island very easily from the summit, including the snow-capped peaks on Hawaii. $30 entry fee but well worth it. Visitor Centers are OK, nothing overly great.

Haleakala National Park is always a great place to visit. The trip up from the bottom takes about 90minutes depending upon traffic. And it is always a thrill to drive up through the clouds and see them many feet below. This was our 4th or 5th trip to the park. This time the view into the crater was not obscured by clouds. It was great.

Hiked an amazing trail. Felt like we were on Mars. Saw the most amazing sunset ever. We won't ever forget it.

The road was curvy and a little intimidating at times but worth the trip up. Great views if clear, but even when there is a cloud, you go above that. Did not know there was a $30 entry fee to go to the top but you can see plenty up to the entry area.

Not too much to add to the thousands of reviews here and the travel books. Only to say the drive up is definitely sporty if you're not used to tight turns in a rental car after a rapid elevation ascent. The views of course make up for it!

Struggled to get a reservation for sunrise, but it was worth it. However cold you think it's going to be, you're wrong. It's colder. Dress warm!!

We spend the late afternoon hiking, learning about the ecosystem and stayed to watch a spectacular sunset.

We recently toured the Haleakala National Park as part of a packaged tour. The area and its flora and fauna is a highly educational experience. We felt completely safe in the escorted bus tour. Having a knowledgeable, local, guide is a lot easier than trying to navigate your way up the mountain on your own. We were able to walk around for sunrise photos, and we enjoyed commentary about all of the native plants and animals, some that are not found anywhere else in the world!

We stopped at both the visitor center at the summit and the other visitor center about half-way up the mountain. We looked for the elusive nene bird but never saw one.

Tip: The restrooms are open at the top of the Haleakala mountain. The other visitor center (gift shop) was unfortunately closed due to Covid. Due to the altitude you need to be careful when you arrive at the mountain top and begin walking. Also, dress warmly.

WOW!!! The volcanic scapes are mind boggling, hard to describe - good thing there are lots of images online for you to look at! At 10,032 feet above sea level, the summit is the highest point on Maui and is very visible from the Big Island. So much geologic history here! Endangered species, and some which are only here in the National Park, nowhere else in the world. The drive up to the top of the crater through the clouds, and then back down again through the clouds, is really something - but be careful as visibility can be minimal. We came here as part of a tour through Polynesian Adventure Tours - the only tour company which is allowed inside the National Park - and I highly recommend them.

Were at sunrise in this park. Ticket must be reserved early enough otherwise you will not have access.

Was cool in the truest sense of the word. Attention you are at 3000m and it is cold. Warm clothing is absolutely necessary otherwise you won't stay there long. Had little weather luck and still saw the sunrise. Waiting in this cold is a challenge.

We drove from our condo in Kahana (using the Shaka App), planning to watch the sunset. It was interested seeing the vegetation change as we climbed higher and higher on the mountain.

We stopped along the way, seeing the crater from different viewpoints.

Take a coat or sweater -- it gets chilly after sunset -- amazing for being in the tropics.

Highly recommended.

It was our 1st full day in Maui when we chose to visit the summit of Haleakala. Don't be discouraged by the clouds and pea-soup fog as you ascend...as you drive you will rise above the clouds, and the views will be spectacular.

Haleakalā National Park on Maui is home to the dormant Haleakalā Volcano and Nene, the endangered Hawaiian geese. The drive to the summit can take 1.5 to 2.5 hours. One individual had biked up to the summit that took him four hours one way. The 37-mile drive goes up from sea level to the summit at 10,023 feet and is one of the greatest elevation gains in the shortest distance in the world. The thrill of driving above the clouds cannot be duplicated. There are a good number of pull-offs for photo ops and the change in environmental scenery based on altitude. Haleakala is home to the unique silversword plant that only grows at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Several things to keep in mind as you begin your adventure. There are no restaurants or gas stations within the park. Stay for the sunset and star gazing. You have to be part of a tour group or have a permit to visit at sunrise. Don’t do what I did and not prepare for the drop in temperature. Bring or dress in warm clothes as it does get cold in the evening.

This again wa an attraction I visited on one of my trips back to Maui with my friend. It is an incredibles experience and I do recommend travelers to check it out. We went for the sunset view and it was spectacular! It gets a bit chilly up there so make sure to bring a jacket or sweatshirt to put on if needed. Safe travels to all!

We visited Haleakala National Park on the road to Hana which is required to park and hike the Pipiwai Trail. The Pipiwai Trailhead is located in the Haleakala National Park and requires a pass to be purchased before entering the park. It is beautiful and well maintained park located in a rain forest. It's a drive to get there but highly recommended.

Visited on June 8 with family to watch the sunrise. First of all, be sure to go online and make a reservation if you plan to watch the sunrise because they will not let you in without it before 7am. The cost is $1.00 for the reservation then you pay the entrance fee at the park entry gate upon arrival. The entry fee is per car. Be advised that you should plan to get into the park between 3am and 5am, if the sun is to rise around 5:30. The drive up is about 15 to 30 miles depending the area, and the road is winding and steep; so if you are fearful of heights on a narrow two-lane road you might not want to be the driver. It is very dark going up, and super sunny going down. Some people hang around and hike the trails after watching the sunrise, but we didn't. It is slso very cold and windy, so you will definitely want to wear a warm jacket, maybe even a scarf and gloves, and warmer clothing. This sunrise view is definitely the best on the island and is worth fighting the chilly temperatures. I highly recommend this activity if you do not have a height phobia.

It is amazing that you can travel from sea level to over 10,000 feet in such a short time! There are no guardrails once you enter the park and there are multiple switchbacks. Not a drive for someone who is afraid of heights. Panoramic views all the way up to the crater! Crazy tour drivers tend to tailgate but there are areas to pull off.

The last time we went to Haleakala National Park was in 1980 on a beautiful clear day, so we thought it would be great to see it again. Mother nature had other plans!
On our way up we stopped at a vista (around 8000 feet) and we were above the clouds; how cool is that. We get to the top (around 10,000 feet) and we were in the clouds.......and it started to rain, bummer. So our view of the crater was zero, but what can you do? Mother nature is in charge up there; one day the view is great and the next, not so much.

Yes yes, everyone and everywhere touts the sunrise. Yes I've heard what Mark Twain said about it. But let's consider some very real complications ....the weather! Go with realistic expectations that there could be complete cloud coverage and visibility will be zero. i went for sunset which theoretically provides equally stunning views of the sun cutting rays over the clouds. However the day I went, there was intense fog and we couldn't see anything . Only when I was driving down did it clear up slightly enough to see the setting sun over the clouds. It's beautiful yes but for a sleepy head like me, I don't NEED to get up at 3 am to get there before sunrise.

If you plan a visit to Haleakala and want to hike, I would book a sunrise parking space and stay to hike. There are several hikes where you can leave you vehicle at the summit but if your plan is to hike the Haleakala Crater Trail then you will need to drop your vehicle at the Halemau'u Trail Head parking lot and hitch hike back up to the top. There is a designated hitching spot for this very purpose. Hiking this trail was on my bucket list and it was an amazing journey with every turn providing spectacular ever changing scenery. The sun shining on silverswords upon the lava is breathtaking. The trail is not overly crowded with only 5 of us doing the day hike. We met one other couple staying at one of the cabins inside the crater. It is an 11.2 mile hike and we did it in 6 hours. You need to bring plenty of water. As a reference we drank 70 ounces each. After descending into the crater for about 9 miles, the hardest part is climbing 1400 feet back up via switchbacks to the Halemau'u Trail Head. Plan on clouds rolling in where you could get wet, so bring a protective rain jacket. Worth every minute!

This NP is incredible. It’s two completely distinct sections wrapped in one NP. The crater district and the Kīpahulu rainforest district have separate entrances. You cannot do both sections in one day, as they don’t connect. Both districts require long, winding, often scary drives. They are both totally worth it. The crater district has a moon like appearance and the coolest sunset views we’ve ever experienced. The Kīpahulu district was a magical tropical rainforest just past Hanā. Both had epic hikes that were stunning in their own ways. If you go within three days to each side you only pay the fee once.

the views can be spectacular, but keep in mind that the timing is everything. We expected wind, but it was stronger than expected and I was very surprised to see people in shorts and tank tops, clearly they didn't realize the temperature difference can be 30 degrees lower.

By far, the best of my 2 week Maui vacation. We did both sunrise and sunset (on different days). And I recommend them both! Unlike what we heard, there really IS a difference! Sunset was beautiful and after we watched a fog roll in. Sunrise was spectacular! Make sure to have a reservation and leave early! Also wear warm clothes! I will always remember this sunrise experience!

This has got to be on anyone's list that loves nature and the beauty of the islands. If you are lucky enough to get to the summit for sunrise, dress much warmer than you think you need and you will have a much better experience.

I would HIGHLY recommend getting to the summit before twilight as the clear night sky is bursting with light and amazement. I doubt I will have have another sight like this in my lifetime.

Many don't realize this amazing park stretches to the ocean. The Ohe'o gulch trail is easy to moderate but spectacular the whole way. I could spend hours in the bamboo forest...

We took the Piilini Hwy (360) which was really not bad at all other than the occasional look from a local driving 40 mph faster than us.

make sure to bring a light jacket and appropriate shoes. The pass last for 3 days so we were able to see the crater and then rest of park on Road to Hana,

We visited Haleakala for sunrise and enjoyed it so much we came back a few days later for sunset. It is most definitely worth the trip. Go extra early so you can park at the actual summit, rather than below (it’s still nice, but if you’re going to make the trip- do it right). Don’t rush out right afterward. Shortly after sunrise the people were gone and we had the place to ourselves. It was beautiful!!! Shortly after sunset, the stars come out and you get a beautiful view for stargazing. Some people brought beach chairs and blankets to stay for stargazing…great idea! Highly recommend!!!

The drive up is amazing and a bit unexpected! Curves and clouds and Nenes! The sun the clouds the terrain is awesome!! It’s far better than RTH.. which we did some of… so glad we had this experience ! We went in the afternoon!

We came for the sunrise and it was indeed lovely. Worth the trip by itself. But don't stop there! Explore the trails, check out the website and park education building for exceptional content ... This place is a national treasure for so many reasons.

Things to keep in mind while planning: you need a reservation for the park, dress warm and check the weather - it is chilly. Make sure you map out the drive and plan your time to arrive in time - it does take an hour to drive to the summit from the base.

We had to leave our condo in Kihei at 3:30 AM to catch the sunrise and it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! Make sure to plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the START of the sunrise to ensure a good spot on the viewing platform.

We visited in December 2021 and wished we would have planned better for the weather - it was REALLY cold and a bit windy. It takes about an hour for the sunrise - just be sure to dress appropriately - the summit is 10,200 feet in altitude.

The road is very windy but the speed limits are set low to protect the wildlife as well as you - heed your speed and the drive will be fine.

We saw the sunrise while we were above the clouds, this was an amazing sight to see and I highly recommend this while in Maui!

The park is unique for its characteristics of vegetation, fauna, and soil. The Haleakala volcano crater is mind-boggling and if yo see the sunrise on top of it you will never forget the experience. Because there are no towns nearby, the starry sky is marvelous....

We drove up ourselves in a jeep wrangler for the sunset fitting 5 people. The drive up had some excitement and was much shorter than we expected. It took about a hour and a half to get there from waliea. It was breathtaking once we reached higher than the clouds. Once we got up there the sunset was around 20 minutes away and we walked around and saw some cool plantation and the crater. It was essential to be dressed warm since it was chilly. The sunset it itself wasn’t really what we expected but it was totally worth it and will be recommended to others!

This was my 22nd National Park—I’ve now visited over 1/3 of them. Haleakala National Park was absolutely unexpectedly amazing! We thought Hawaii Volcanoes NP would be the highlight of the Hawaii Parks, but we were blown away by Haleakala! The journey up through the park is one crazy, twisty & turning road that takes you up above the clouds. It was white knuckle for sure, especially driving up through the clouds where visibility isn’t great, but it was 100% worth it. We thought the view from the visitor center was incredible, but we were speechless when we got up to the summit. The views from the top are expansive—you could even see the two volcanoes on the Big Island. Overall, this was one of our favorite things we did on Maui. Wd did stop at the one visitor center about half way up and it had a small gift shop and we got a passport stamp. If I had one small suggestion, it would be to have a NPS passport stamp in the little indoor viewing area at the House of the Sun at the top that says ‘summit.’

If you come to Maui and don't go to Haleakala at either sunrise or sunset, you are seriously missing out! Get there very early for the sunset, like around 5pm. Parking is scarce so you might have to walk uphill for a half mile to the summit to see anything. Seriously though, like WHOA, what a stunning sunset and totally worth the 60 minute trip from the bottom to the summit. Make it a whole day trip and visit the visitor's center to get a closer look at what makes Haleakala so special. Bring warm clothing and I'm serious when I say that. It was very cold at the summit: like 50 degrees. Do not trust the temps at the beach to be similar to the summit.

We had reservations for the Sunrise,it was very cold,but so worth it,just amazing to see,and a special treat to hear the park Ranger sing a Hawaiaan Song as the sun was rising.Also done some Hiking,amazing Terrains,plants and animals.

We only went to the lower section and saw wonderful beaches and lots of surfers and big waves. Other areas were isolated and we were alone in many spots. Took some beautiful pictures and videos of the waves. Some day I will see the volcano, which was accessible from the other entrance to the park.

We've done both sun rise and sun set both have pros and cons. Sun Rise has an awesome call out to the sun to rise and shine - gave me chills listening to the story and watching the sun come up. But it is EARLY, cold and CROWDED!
Sun Set has become our new favorite. It's the same stunning view just not as crowded (it's still crowded but less than sun rise). We pack a picnic dinner and chill out watching the colors across the sky. This last time however we were clouded out - which was still fine, the company and laughs were worth it.

We discussed trying to get reservations for sunrise, go for sunset, or just go at our leisure. Ultimately we decided to wing it and arrive about mid morning. We were so glad we did as it suited us fine.

We left our hotel so we would arrive between 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. The morning crowds were gone and we were able to take a leisurely drive up and down, with very few people around. The views were spectacular as we had no clouds. It was very windy and in the 50s by the time we got to the top, about 25 degrees cooler than at the bottom. We were glad we wore pants and had hoodies with us.

Our timing allowed us to enjoy lunch in the area and see other sites nearby.

We travel a lot in what we call the shoulder seasons, off peak travel times but close enough where we have nice weather. We were on Maui Nov 13 - 25 and we found this was a great time to visit. I recently read of 45 minute waits to get into the park over this holiday season. Glad we missed those crowds.

We just drove up the summit in the middle of the afternoon. I am not sure if you have to make reservations to see the sunrise and sunset. You also don’t need a 4 wheel drive vehicle either. It was also very cold and windy at the summit.

This park is full of beautiful views of the island and spectacular scenery on the volcano. The hikes can be challenging due to the high elevation but just take your time, its well worth it!

Definitely take a jacket and shoes as it gets really cold. Was 79 at the beach and 41 at the summit 10000 feet. Must see a sunset or sunrise from here as it was amazing

Trevor was an excellent guide! He shared so much informative and interesting stories along the way. His driving was excellent, and we felt totally safe. We really appreciated his keeping us ahead of the crowd, so that we could have a prime spot for watching the sunrise. Also, he provided comfort stops, and a wonderful place for breakfast afterwards. We certainly enjoyed this tour, and would definitely recommend it.

3-7 AM require a reservation. Long windy road with cliffs along the side. Lots of bikes. Top is just over 10,000 feet with sweeping views of the island, neighboring islands, and the crater. Saw a Nene- endangered bird and rare plants. Costs to get into park- but free if a retired veteran.

My husband and I are not morning people so we decided to drive up to the summit for sunset. We were not disappointed it was phenomenal. I can't imagine seeing anything like this again. The road up terrified me because of the drop-offs and all the S and hairpin turns. Still worth it!
I had done a little research before we went so we arrived well before sunset so we could have a good parking space and in what I felt were warm enough clothes. . It is cold up there. Let me repeat myself-COLD!! We wore pants, long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts. Being from New England I was confident we would be fine. Nope, we were freezing because of the wind. I should have had a winter hat and perhaps gloves then the wind probably would not have bothered me as much. Still the sunset was still worth it.
I say this is a must see.

I was able to see the sunset from the summit of Haleakala, which I had longed to do.
I had been to the summit of Haleakala several times before, but in each case, fog and rain prevented me from seeing the sunset. This time, however, I was able to see the sunset through the clouds. If you visit Maui, please come and see the most beautiful sunset you have ever seen.
Depending on the day, you will need to be at the parking lot at the top at least an hour before sunset, as parking spaces can be scarce.
To be sure of seeing the Haleakala sunset, please get the latest weather information on Haleakala in advanced.

We did the sunrise at the summit. I was able to snag a ticket when they first became available. It was beautiful, quiet, serene, otherworldly. There are restrooms at the top. It is windy and very cold. Dress warmly or you will not enjoy it much. We got there right at 3 am and we were one of the first cars there. We also drove to the Pipiwai Trail the next day. Both areas are part of Haleakala National Park. You can use your park pass for both if used within three days. We have a lifetime senior pass. Wonderful! Both areas of the park are musts! Do it!

I will echo what other reviews share. Drive up in the wee hours of the morn is fine (better that Hana Rd). Get out to stargaze. Wow. ITS COLD AND WINDY!! The wind cuts right through every layer you might have. Bring blankets+ from where ever your staying. The glassed-in lodge at summit is where you want to be to avoid wind but once light starts to peek get outside. Diff vibe being out by ledge. Awesome. Tips: I brought a headlamp that served me well. Did I mention its dark up there? Plus it's small and easy to pack. Biggest tip though...if you are a pro photographer with all your fancy equip and think you need NatGeo grade pix DON'T be an a*hole to all the other people around you that simply wants to take a pic too. 2-cents out.

Really enjoyed hiking in this National Park. The Pipiwai Trail was something my wife had been told by a local this was something we must do even if the first waterfall at Makahiku doesn’t have much water coming down (it didn’t) but walking through the bamboo forest was just so cool.

This was awesome. We got there just at sunset. Could not believe that we were above the clouds. However, it was very cold there.

Looking from the top of the crater, you get a sense of the extraordinary expanse and power of this earth.

Unique and diverse National Park. We were impressed with the diverse landscape along the switchback road to the top to see the summit and the lava domes. The literature helps explain the landscape and the views are vast!

It is cold at the top so take a jacket and water. The landscape is rocky so wear closed toe shoes with support.

The view from the summit of Haleakala is stunning. Well worth the 30 minute drive to the summit. The secondary overlooks on the drive to the summit should not be missed. Highly recommended.

We left Wailea at 2:45 am to make the trek up to the summit in the dark and it was so worth it. Don't Miss It! You will need to reserve a parking spot in the lot for $1.00 and they sell out fast so reserve online as soon as they go on sale. You will also need to pay a National Park fee to enter. This can be done on line ahead of time or at the Ranger Station on your way up. Make sure you dress warm as the summit is 10,000+ feet high and and is very windy. There is a pavilion to stand in that blocks some of the wind but you really want to be outside It takes about 50+ minutes to watch the entire sunrise.

Have been to the crater several times but this was first for sunrise. Need reservations which is nice to limit the number for better viewing and safety. Have your account ready in advance and go on site immediately seven days prior in order to secure date you want. We had to try two different times. About an hour and forty-five minute drive from west Maui to the summit. Great view but remember it is cold and breezy at 10,000 feet. The previous two years we were not able to go up in February due to snow/winter storm.

This was pretty awesome we came to see the sunset as the sunrise needed some more work to get a reservation or a 180 USD Tour that we don’t really wanted to pay, in any case it was awesome!

First of all I’ve read a lot of reviews that say the road’s not good and it’s pretty good in my opinion! It’s actually fun! A Lot of Switchbacks and going up and down makes a really different experience I loved it!

There in the summit it’s freezing please bring warm clothes, chairs might be awesome if you do not have a Blanket could do the trick!

The only thing I didn’t really like about this was the people behavior, at the moment of sunset everyone was standing with their selfie stick so couldn’t really enjoy the best moment of the evening but aside from that everything was awesome!

Ps you can stay a little bit to see the stars as it gets dark!

Very enjoyable park. We were able to visit both visitor centers and take some short hikes. I would highly recommend visiting.

now this one I went in a mini bus - very interesting driver who told us of the unique flowers and birds found here - very hot at grand level but very cool and blowing a gale at crater level - an excellent 1/2 day

It was an early morning as we drove from Lahania. We were somewhat prepared for the 30 - yes - THIRTY - degree drop in temperature. However the fog made it so we couldn’t see the sunrise at the 10K elevation. We drove down and were able to see some fabulous views. Loved the rainbow!

This is a must do when visiting Maui. We did a sunrise tour, and the drive up from Kihei was about 2 hours with a few stops along the way. It was much colder than we imagined, and we had layered up as suggested. We arrived about an hour before sunrise and found a good spot while we waited. It was definitely worth the wait. Absolutely indescribable. Amazing and so beautiful. It is truly the House of the Sun. Put this on your must do list when visiting Maui. If you decide to drive up instead of taking a tour. Please take your time, especially in the early morning before the sun comes up. The road can be Windi at times. Don't forget to layer up if you go for the Sunrise. Hand warmers and blankets are a big help.

I had trouble convincing my travel companion to visit this park and it turned out to be their favorite. The views are amazing! I do not recommend hiring a guided tour as it is easily accessible on your own. It was very cold at the summit so jeans and a jacket are a must. It is a lengthy drive to the summit and there is an entrance fee. We did not go for sunrise as we would have had to leave our hotel at 3:00 am but I would imagine it is beautiful. Park rangers provided good information on the dormant volcano and geology. Highly recommend!

We took the Polynesian Adventure tours to Haleakala and our guide was Michael Reed. He was very thorough and knowledgeable about the places we've been in this tour. His attention to details was remarkable including the silversword flowers we found in the park and the stars we saw after the sun had set and returning to Lahaina. He was also considerate, left my baseball cap in the van and he contacted me to inform me how I could get it back. We felt secured with him and safety and comfort were top in his priority for us. He's well rounded and highly knowledgeable.

Download the Shaka app for a downloadable audio tour and live driving map. You can drive to the summit for the sunrise with a reservation, OR drive up for the sunset without. We did the latter and it was amazing to watch the sun set from 10,000 feet above the clouds. We arrive 1.5 hours before sunset for the best seats and parking. It's cold-- bring portable chairs and jackets and a blanket. Stay an extra hour for incredible stargazing! There are hiking trails along the way up too

Going all the way to the top (10,023 feet) was incredible and a chance to see the SilverSword Plant, the only place in the world it grows. The crater is beautiful and stunning to see.

I stayed in Kamaole Beach Royale. It took us about 2 hours to get to the visitor center for sunrise. We left at 3 am, got there about 5 am. Several shuttles for tours got there the same time as us. There were some people already there. The railing were full of people, we walked around and luckily we found a spot against the railing.
The sunrise was about 5:45am, there was some red color already. The sunrise itself wasn't as good as we saw in Acadia national park.
After sunrise, we walked a little bit on the sliding sand trail. It was amazing landscape. We didn't walk far since I felt hard to breath when walking back with up hill and high elevation.
We stoped at several outlooks. We were above clouds. Looked around, we could see ocean and volcano.
It was amazing and must do in Maui in my opinion.

Unfortunately we could not spend a lot of time at this national park. It was at the end of our Road to Hana trip and we were well aware of not driving back in the dark.
So we made the hour or so that we had really count.
We stopped by the visitor center and got some information and decided to take the shortest trails down to the shoreline and back where along the way we saw some awesome waterfalls before making it to the rocky shoreline.
The park's volcanic roots are on full display at the shoreline and the views were fantastic. We also experienced a little bit of the lush rain forest atmosphere before we had to get back on the road.
As it turns out, we visited the Summit part of this same park on our first try at the Road to Hana. But we were not appropriately dressed (we were only prepared for the road trip but had to turn around) and ended up very cold but got some eyepopping views as part of the side trip.
It is at 10000 feet elevation and very windy and cold. I had to have my husband hold on to me while I took a few photos.
The two sides of the park are as different as night and day, but both offer great experiences and unforgettable adventures.

Met tour at sunrise and then rode bikes done the winding road. The views are great, hiking in the crater was fun. The best thing was the cool ranger talks.

We went to the far side entrance near Hana and we need to return because the other road to the crater is closed. We did the Pipiwai trail, which was a wonderful hike. We shall return.

prepare for very winding roads. It is cold. Biking is an option, there are horses at the top. It is a breath-taking view. If you get motion sickness take dramamine or zofran. must see!

You drive along the winding road to the summit. Other than the dirt, clouds, cold and wind, there is not much to see. The one star is for the visitor centers where you can use restroom.

The crater and park were nice to see. I got altitude sickness so I stayed in the car most the time..

On a previous visit 20 years ago we drove up during the day. This time we took a tour that enabled us to see the wonderful sunrise. It was delightful but very, very cold despite lots of extra layers!
On the descent we took in some lovely sights.
A brilliant experience.

I have seen a couple of sunrises at the top of Haleakala over the last 19 years, sunset at the top of Haleakala was a first. Our trip into the visitors centre to answer the questions for an Earth Cache also gave us the opportunity to hear advice on the best spot to watch the sun disappear.
Some spare time before sunset allowed us a quick trip to the Summit and then back down to the parking bays at the visitors centre. Colours and ambience just stunning. A very calm and peaceful sunset. The drive up and down the mountain - particularly down after sunset was a real treat...

A group of us went up to the top to watch the sunset. The drive up was fun and not dangerous at all. There are lots of cows wandering around slowly. Driving down was a bit spookier because it was so dark, but drive slowly and you'll be okay.

It gets extremely cold up at the top with the wind. We brought our winter parkas, boots, and pants because we knew just how cold it would be. One of our friends brought a hoodie and it was definitely not enough.

The views are seriously amazing and it's a must visit if you're in Maui.

Mountaineer on vacation so had to keep fit and do this hike.
Enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and great weather in the morning but typical for the region, ended up in the rain after noon. Overall a great place to do some serious hiking - but definitely not for the unfit. And take plenty of water, suitable rain gear and suitable hiking footwear. I saw some people wearing flimsy trainers - not a good idea.
Parked my car at the very bottom of the National Parkway Road and hiked on the road all the way up to the summit which took a little over 5 hours. Then took the route back down through the crater where the weather quickly became less friendly. The crater pathways are not always well signed and I was glad I had navigation on my watch in order to be sure I was on the right track. Last part of the crater exit becomes fairly steep and is not for the faint hearted. Once out of there, I continued on the road back down to my car. In total, hiked for just over 11 hours. Unless you are really fit, you won't want to do this !

Went for the sunrise view - well worth the early get up and the winding drive up the mountain and the cold temps at the summit. View was fantastic, as we were above the clouds. A unique way to see the beautiful sunrise.

Working on my bucket list items and of course that quest took me to the Hawaiian Islands. Haleakala National Park was breathtaking and of the twenty or so National Parks that I’ve been to ranks in my top three.

Words fail to express the beauty of being at the top of the world (or so it seems) looking out above the clouds. It was exquisite!

We loved our early morning drive to the summit of Haleakala. Be sure to take warm clothes. When I walked from the car to the bathroom my fingers were tingling cold in seconds. It is also windy at the top. We couldn't get sunrise reservations for an extra $25 and instead opted to arrive soon after opening.

This takes nerves of steel to drive up in the dark, and then it's cold and the air is thin. But the crowds are lighter than sunset. As a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it was worth it. Not certain I would do it again, though. Also, the entire park only has one open visitors center. If you want a park stamp, though, the front entry gate has them, as does the ranger stand on the southern Hana side.

The ride to get up to the top is scary and beautiful at the same time. We went there on Sunday morning so there were not many cars and people. It took about 2 hrs drive from Lahaina beach. Recommended to pack water and some light snacks. We got lucky that the weather was very nice in the mid 60’s at the end of Nov. My husband wore short and I wore a dress without feeling cold. The admission is $30 and you can pay with credit card only. If you plan to go there to watch sunrise & Milky Way between 3-7 am, reservation is required. We took a lot of photos. The view was incredible.

I participated in a sunset tour at the top of the mountain and experienced a sky full of stars.
It was a very satisfying experience, even closer than the starry sky I saw on the Big Island a few years ago. I think it will change anyone's outlook on life. I especially recommend it for children!

At around 9000 feet, one is essentially in the clouds on the crater of a large volcano that last erupted in the 1790s. It has a very interesting flora (including the unique to the islands Silverswords) and fauna (including a flightless moth and the almost lost Ne-Ne).

When in maui dont just stay at the beaches, check out this 10,000 foot high mountain and the upcountry for an entirely different experience experiencing the world at and above the clouds with different climate and vegetation. the view of the crater from above and the sliding sands trail is really amazing.

Visiting Haleakala is a MUST DO, while in Maui. Be sure to go prepared (a jacket/sweater/pants) and check the temperature, before venturing to the summit. When we visited, the temperature at ground level was 23 degrees C and at the summit it was 7 degrees C. I packed a puffy jacket (packs well and was perfect for the summit visit).
It has an otherworldly ambience and was the best place to feel that you were truly very far from home.
There are trails, if you wish to walk down into the crater; however, the views from the summit are worth the drive up!!

Stunning sunrise. Very cold so bring jackets gloves and a toque. Get in early and bring some hot coca

This national park, which spans the slopes and crate of the dormant Haleakala volcano is a place of immense natural beauty. There are many trails and vistas to enjoy. A good road leads all the way to the summit.

Best part...being above the clouds. Enjoyed hiking in black lava/stones on Silver Sands Trail and amazing to see the volcano crater!

First, let someone else drive. There's 620 hairpin turns with 40 being 1 way. Getting up there during daylight is one thing, but you have to come back down after the sunset & there are no streetlights to help.
We had a tour & our driver narrated areas of interest on our drive up. It was a slow ride (about 1.5 hrs from boarding the bus to debarking at the top) & you could see areas you may want to revisit on your own.
While up at the top, you have enough time to go hiking (there is a trail that goes above the parking lot), look around at the ever changing view, or get a spot for a great sunset. Pictures are a must even tho they won't really do the view justice.
We had a park ranger who gave some info about the area in both real (a million years ago, the Earth's crust...) & mythological (the demigod Maui lassoed the sun...) while answering questions about the area or about being a park ranger with a cool job.
Bring some warm clothes as it can get chilly, but I have heard that it can get cold. Plan for 32-55 degrees F (0-10 degrees C).

We hiked around 3.7 miles down 2500 ft to the crater bottom, a rigorous hike. Ranger recommend we use our 3 day Park pass for both Kipahulu and Haleakala visitor centers.

We visited Haleakala on a cruise ship excursion arriving mid morning. Needed a light wrap but not freezing. This was my second visit as the first one weather prevented us from seeing into the crater. This time the views were amazing! So glad I came back! The colors of the canyon look like water colors and the photos look like they must have been retouched - but they weren't. This is a must see. Beautiful! Bike riders are not longer allowed to ride up or down from the summit due to a tragic accident.

Sunrise amazing. I am so glad we got up at 2 am to see this
The park service manages this perfectly so it is an amazing experience despite the crowing of tourists on this island.
Several months in advance I got a reservation on nps.gov. You have to keep checking to see when these open up. I think they release a few the day before but why gamble.
We left Wailea at 3 am. If you are coming form eastern mainland if you plan this at beginning on your trip not as brutal as it is 9 am EST.
The road is very windy. At the park entrance they check you off as they have a list of who has reserved and wont let anyone else in. Then you drive another long drive up to either summit parking or visitor center. The whole second hour of the drive is very dark and very tortuous-. Watch out for cows on the road.
Be aware it is VERY COLD
Like we were in gloves, hat, sweatshirt, long pants (my husband in long johns) and STILL cold.
We got to watching station by 5 am. I thought, great, I have to freeze to death for an hour. The the hour is very dynamic and you see beautiful changes in the sky over the hour that are all worth
The crown was very nice and it was not overcrowded but if you get there later you might not have a perfect view.
There was a junior ranger who gave a short talk and they were to give a chant.
Very moving and not to be missed experience.
The volcano in front of you looks like a moonscape.
After this we did a short hike. There is a weird forest of a number of imported trees such as Eucalyptus, European trees, etc that is a very short and easy hike. I think there is another one on the road out
My only complaint, the NPS had everything closed up. Would have liked to buy some park swag and support the park

This sunrise is something else like I've never seen before. I can try and describe it, but it's pointless because unless you experience yourself it won't convey the beauty. It's like if someone shows you a picture of the Grand Canyon it's a big hole but when you see it in person it makes you wonder how nature can be so grand.

I do recommend doing this with a guided tour. Here's a short list of reason why I think this:
1. A guarantee that you go to the crater. The tour companies have perpetual access.
2. You most likely did not pack the proper gear for sub-40 degree temperatures with high winds.
3. The guide talks the entire time so you really know what you are looking at
4. The drive is switchback crazy which you likely will not want to do in the dark at 3 am after likely staying up late.
5. Transportation to and from your hotel, so when you start feeling tired after waking up at 2 am you don't have to worry about driving back.

Great for geologists to get up and close. The drive from Kihei is about 1:30, but well worth it when you get to look into the eroded mass of the volcano. Some small cinder cones at lower elevation. Clouds roll in from the east during the morning and the later you leave it the less chance you have of a clear view. Some information in the visitor center, but one of the park rangers gave his "life story" rather than a presentation on the volcanic setting as promised - so that was disappointing.

My friends bailed on the whole sunrise/bike ride plan I had..it didn't seem like much fun and we were on vacation. Instead, we went for sunset and it was gorgeous. Go early, wear warm clothes (seriously--it gets chilly up there), bring a towel or something (even a beer or glass of wine) and enjoy. Really a great stop.

We arrived here early in the morning and stayed until the early afternoon to soak in the scenic views and take some healthy hikes with fewer crowds.

We loved heading up in the afternoon, day hiking, and leaving right after sunset. Would do it again in a minute.

Haleakala National Park was not on my list of sites to go see but I am so glad that we took the drive. It was BEAUTIFUL at the top. You are literally above the clouds and the views were breathtaking. IF you are lucky you will come across some Nene.

The summit craters and lava fields are beautiful, raw and almost frightening. One can just imagine the inferno in past history. It would be helpful if the park developed more loop hikes to branch off the Sliding Sands trail.

Worth the really early wake up time to see the sun rise at the top of the world.

Dress warmly though and be early so you get a front row view. It can fill up!

Took our own rental car up the mountain early in the morning after all those sunrise tours left. Driving up the mountain was fun as I was the driver. I don’t think my wife enjoyed it too much due to all the curves going up. Once you get to the summit at 10 thousand feet you are rewarded with amazing views. What a great experience.

We drove up Haleakala to see the sunset. The drive itself is an adventure! The twisting road and full exposure keeps drivers alert, white knuckling at times!

The crater is HUGE! Parking was sparse due to the large number of folks wanting to see the sunset. We were able to park in the lot nearest the observatory and walk to the peak. A Park Ranger informed us that the sun would be setting behind the observatory, so we should descend to the visitor center if we wanted to see the actual sun set. After some time hiking around the summit, we did go to the visitor center parking. The lot was full, so we parked along the road. The sun setting into the clouds was absolutely beautiful! That alone was worth the trip to the Park.

In addition to the sunset, we did get some hiking in and were able to see the Silversword plant, which exists nowhere else. It was a wonderful time!

We went with a tour guide and visited the crater and walked a few trails. The scenery is beautiful and at 10K feet you get a view of Maui and the other islands. Would highly recommend.

The sunrise summit on Haleakala is a MUST on your visit to Maui. You'll have to go recreation.gov two days prior to your visit to make a reservation. The pass is good for three days (Do Ohe'o Gulch as well as the 400-ft Waimoku falls at the end of the road to Hana). You'll need park reservations to enter from 3am-7am (we made reservations for this timeframe but drive in at 2:50a and no one was at the gate). There is about 15 parking spaces at the summit parking lot and then more at the Visitor Center lot. It really is AMAZING to get there so early, we were able to see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Even my 9 and 11 year olds were in awe. It is COLD up there, bring a beanie, sweats, hat, blankets, anything to nip that cold air. There is a small viewing room with glass that blocks the wind. Mostly people stayed outside and on the road to view the sunrise. It truly is majestic watching the sky change every color of the rainbow as you are high above the clouds. The pictures really do not do justice. The visitor center at the summit is open early and you can get your national park stamp there as well as cool souvenirs. Definitely a memorable stop!

Beautiful place!!! I do strongly recommend when staying in Maui! Beautiful views, just take care about the weather, follow the forecast, avoiding cloudy and rainy days, so you can be sure getting clear views from there!!!

Really worth making the time to do this. Road up is in great condition. It winds around a bit but and gets a bit steep but at the correct speed for the road is totally ok. The view of the island and sea below is breathtaking and the crater is stunning.
Wear long pants, a windbreaker and a sweater or fleece. The wind is icy!

Loved this amazing National Park. Was a surprise since I never imagined the cool temps here. Would hike this park every chance I could get if I lived on Maui.

We were in Maui for just a day, so we only visited the Summit District of Haleakala. Driving up to the top takes a while, but it's very scenic and completely doable in a standard two-wheel drive car. Once at the peak, there is a very small visitor center as well as restrooms and some interpretive signs.

While we weren't there for either sunrise or sunset, the views are amazing, and we could see all the way to Molokai and Lanai. I also did an out-and-back hike on the Sliding Sands Trail for about two miles. Inside the crater is a stunning and otherworldly landscape of volcanic rock surrounded by clouds.

The trek back up the trail was tough, and you definitely want to bring lots of water and take it easy in the high elevation, but it's definitely worth the workout.

Unique views that are truly worth the trip. Awe inspiring. Prepare yourself for the temperature difference.

Had to wake up at 3am, leave at 330am for the drive from Kihei to make it for the sunrise atop of Haleakala! It was freesing, bring everything you own, wished I had gloves and a toque! I brought a blanket, but wished I brought chairs! We got there for 5am, and made it in time for the upper parking lot, which is a huge bonus. Not only do you get a better view, it is a long walk from the other parking lot if you don't make it before the 1st one closes. We stayed until 730am, it is splendid. But take note you need a reservation, there are only 80 tickets, I believe. You should do at least once!

We got up at 3 am & drove to the top to see the sunrise which was AMAZING! It seems crazy to get up at 3 am while on vacation, but it was so beautiful! It is a special memory that I will never forget!

The road on the way up in the dark is SCARY, SCARY! After you enter the park, there are NO guard rails & you are driving along cliffs. National Park employees, if you are reading this, put guard rails on that road!! When we got to the park, there was only 1 parking spot left at the top where the overlook is. The ranger was closing the gate to the parking lot. The wall around the overlook is the best place to watch the sunrise. Once that parking lot is full, you have to park down at the visitor center.

It was FREEZING, even in June, so bundle up. We had wind breakers & blankets, but I wish I had brought beanies & gloves too. We felt sorry for the people in flip flops & shorts. My fingers turned purple trying to take pics. After we saw the sunrise, we ate breakfast which I had brought with us, then we took the Sliding Sands trail. We hiked almost to the crater about 2-1/2 miles down. We saw some amazing views & hiked through a cloud back up. I would dress in layers because we got hot hiking down, then when we walked through the cloud going back up, we got wet & cold again.

We saw a Chukar bird in the parking lot.

After we came down the mountain we ate a delicious lunch at the Kula Lodge restaurant. I got some hot tea to warm up. We had a table by the window so we were able to watch their beautiful garden.

A few days later, we did the Road to Hana & hiked the Waimoku Falls trail on the other side of the park. It was a great hike, however, you cannot hike all the way to the falls. There is a sign that you cannot go past due to rocks coming over the falls. It would be great if there was a way to see the entire falls without being in danger.

You must drive up here to see the stars
I have never seen them so crisp and bright in my life
That is one of the reasons they have the telescope up here
It’s like another planet watching the sunset
Bring your warm clothes it’s very windy and chilly
Well worth the drive

Haleakala at sunrise is a must-do. The reservation was made first thing 60 days in advance but worth it. The drive up in the dark was an adventure in itself. I would recommend arriving 15-30 min prior to sunrise to get a good spot. With windchill it feels much colder than the 30-40 degrees we were told to expect and I recommend to dress appropriately with layers! Pack a large breakfast with plans to get something on the way back or breakfast and lunch to make things easier.

Though the sky initially looked like it wouldn't cooperate, the clouds cleared up and dazzled us. There was a daily sunrise ceremony(?) led by the rangers that added to the experience. The views were amazing, enhanced by the small amount of snow and ice. There are a number of good trails ranging from moderate to difficult, short and long. We tried to keep our eyes open for the endangered nene and while we didn't see one, it was fun nevertheless.

We do not get up at 3:00 in the morning unless we haven't gotten to bed yet. So we decided to head up to the crater at about 2:30 in the afternoon. This gave us plenty of time to explore the mountain before watching an amazing sunset - without crowds, without the hassle of getting up early. We had fun going to the Lavender Farm and the Surfing Goat Dairy in Kula before heading up to the top.

Haleakala National Park is a beautiful place to visit in Maui. There two sections of the park - One at the summit and the other one on Kipahulu at the southeast coast. This review is based on visit to the summit area. There are so many things to do there that one is sure to find their favorite activity. Main activities are: Scenic drives, Look outs, Hiking, Guided bike tours, Dark sky observation, and awesome Sunset and Sunrise. A great variety of hiking trails are available ranging from short and day hikes and backpacking multi-day hikes. The hikes also offer variety in features. For example, Hosmer Grove offers a trail through lush forest, while Sliding Sands trail offers fantastic volcanic scenery. As far as scenic overlooks, the one not to miss is Kalahaku Overlook which provides breathtaking views of the volcanic crater and cinder cones.

I would say the two things not to miss in Haleakala are the Summit Sunset and Sunrise. Sunset viewing is more accessible in the sense that there are no permit requirements and not much pre-planning is required. One just has to be present at the summit before the Sunset. But, be prepared with some warm clothing since it gets pretty cold when the sun starts going down. On the other hand, for Sunrise viewing, entry permit will need to purchased on-line well ahead. And then one will have to drive the long mountain road in the night to be at the summit before Sunrise. It could be sub-zero cold at the summit at that time, so one will have to be adequately dressed. One should also arrive early enough to observe and enjoy the awesome dark sky. My recommendation is that driving to the Summit during day time (for Sunset) would provide familiarity with the mountain road for the drive at night (for Sunrise).

The only disappointment with the Park was that the Visitor Center feature is not as elaborate as at other National Parks. There are actually two visitor centers; the main one is at 7,00 ft elevation, and the smaller one is at the summit. But, the exhibits are still informative and the Park film is well worth watching. If you are in Maui, plan a visit to Haleakla for an unforgettable experience.

It is a long winding road but we’ll worth it. We were lucky, for once we didn’t freeze our buns off, the summit was clear, and as said in Maui revealed( best guide book) your are above the cloud, watching turbulence without being in it. On our way home we stopped at Kula bistro, had some great pastries. Overall a fabulous day, a must do while in Maui

Amazing views, a variety of lookouts and hikes. Camping too when itʻs not covid season. I love hiking out Halemauu a bit beyond "rainbow bridge" the views are spectacular without intense hiking. The cloud forest with native birds and plants in Hosmerʻs Grove are Maui treasures.

We ventured to the summit and stopped at the visitors centers along the way. My partner and daughter really enjoyed the experience. It’s like Mars looking into the Crater.

Great view and worth the drive to get there..and don't forget if you plan to arrive before sunrise you have to have a reservation. Ok in afternoon/evening.

Many twists and turns as you head up and down the mountain but worth the trip! Lots of cycles on the road so you have to watch out for them but great scenery and changes in vegetation and landscape as you go.

We took a ride up here to see the crater, didn't get a good view because it was overcast. Still pretty. Bring jackets as it does get cold up here sometimes.

We had a glorious sunny clear day at Haleakala which is rare. It was about a 2 hr 20 minute drive from Kaanapali to Haleakala. We had 4 vehicles with our family and chose to arrive late morning. The 20 curves made a few of us car sick, so taking dramamine or wearing sea band wrist bands would be helpful. We all brought our National Park passes and did not need a reservation since we arrived around 11:00 am. Two of our families had 4th graders, so they were able to get free National Park passes in advance for their families. They got the Junior Ranger badges when they were there.
There are restrooms at the first Visitor Center as well as at the upper Visitor Center. The overlook at the upper Visitor Center is great with incredibly beautiful views of the crater and cinder cones. Some of our group hiked the Sliding Sands Trail part way about 2/3 a mile. AFterwards we completed the drive to the Summit.

Great trip to watch volcanoes, nature and drive by near towns. Great fruit options on the way, Italian and Hawaiian cuisine

Scenic drive through the park- make sure you get all the way to the top for an unspoiled view. Even better if you go for the sunrise

If you are in the mood to do something different from the tropical paradise feel of the island, this is your thing. The drive up to the top is interesting as you watch the foliage change with the rising elevation. At the top it is a cold desert. The views from the top are a bit hazy, but still great. The geography at the top is fascinating. The temperature is about 30 degrees cooler than ocean level and the wind blasts. I wore a windbreaker over a hoodie and some pants and I was fine for about an hour of walking around. But, I tend to run a little warm blooded. You can hike around as much or as little as you like. You could have a great time even without getting out on the trails, but you will probably have to get out of your car to appreciate the crater views.

Amazing view of the sunset. Well worth the drive. Gets cold so dress appropriately (jacket, long pants)

This is the best sunrise we have ever seen in our lives. It is definitely worth the 3 am wake up time. It is cold! Take a warm jacket or blankets from the hotel. The road winds back and forth going to the top so if you don't want to try it on your own there are many tour buses that go that way. Also with a tour bus your fees are covered. So by the time you get to the top you are above the clouds. This alone makes you feel like Indiana Jones. Then the sun starts to rise and it is breath taking. I don't use that word lightly. It is really gorgeous. Take a lot of pictures. We took and ton and a few actually conveyed how amazing it was. Do it you won't regret it.

Observing Sunrise at Haleakala Summit is a beautiful experience if one can manage to make it come true. It takes quite a bit of planning to be at the summit for the sunrise. First of all, if one is visiting from outside the park, a permit for Sunrise has to be purchased well in advance for a nominal fee from the National Park Service. Permits are required due to limited parking space at the summit. Then, one has to drive in the night up the mountain road to reach the summit, though it is not a bad drive if the weather is clear. Proper clothing for freezing cold weather is essential at the summit. Get there early enough so that you have enough time to enjoy the dark sky with an unbelievable number of twinkling stars. Then wait for the sun to peek out from below the clouds. It is just amazing how quickly the night sky transforms into bright day light. The sky color change in the process is so heavenly.

My suggestion for the summit drive is that one visit the summit during day time to get familiar with long drive before doing the night time drive. Of course, the Summit Sunset itself is another experience not to be missed.

Definitely do this if you are in Maui. If you are not going with a group make sure to make a reservation with recreation.gov 9only place you can make them), it costs $1 and you cannot enter without one. These are limited and sell out months in advance, however they release a group of tickets for 2 days out at 7a Hawaii time every day. For example I made a Recreation.gov account, woke up on Saturday at 6:55a, logged in, and hit refresh on the booking page right at 7a, and was able to get a $1 pass for Monday's sunrise.

Pack plenty of water and snacks, make sure you have at least 3/4 of a tank of gas (no shops or gas stations up there..but they do have port-o-pottys!), bring blankets, layered warm clothes, and hats and gloves and even face covers because it gets windy and cold (20-30F) before and during sunrise...then warm by midday (70-80F).

It's about 2 hrs to drive up from Wailea or 1.5 from airport at average speed, traffic/slow-driver can impact times, plan to get there around 1-1.5 hrs before sunrise, and keep in mind it starts getting light about 45 minutes before actual sunrise, so if you want amazing pictures of the starry night sky, get there more towards 1.5 before sunrise. If you don't care about stars then 45 minutes before sunrise is perfect.

You can view from the parking lot platform, which is nice, but if you are able, bring a flashlight or use your phones flashlight, and make the 10-15 minute hike up to the actual crater view, it's worth beyond worth it!

I'm a local and I've come here a few times- never have I ever been disappointed. The views are totally worth the drive, and I definitely recommend going for sunrise. Even if you're groggy from the early wakeup time, the freezing, crisp air will jolt fresh energy into your bones.

Last thing, this is an amazing spot to take a significant other! Although there are often many people there, while it lacks privacy, the spectacular sights and the calming silence set the perfect romantic mood. 10/10

First of all you'll need reservations to be able to view the sunrise. It's online and for $1. We left our hotel in Kaanapali at about 230 am and got to the parking lot about 2 hours late. Besides the reservation fee you need a national park entrance fee. I would say to arrive before 5 since the small parking lot fills up. at 430 about 1/3 of the the lot was filled. By 6am folks were already outside waiting for the sunrise. Though this is Hawaii the temperature is in the low 40s at such heights. come perhap or you'll be shivering. most folks start to left about 15 mins after the sun rise. There's 2 visitors centers. the main one at the near the entrance has clean bathrooms. The one near the top has portable restrooms and long lines. Go to the bottom if you can.

We originally tried to get reservations for the sunrise but was unable to snag the reservations which defaulted to the sunset and I'm glad it worked it out that way. I'm not a fan of getting up at 3 am and dealing with cranky kids the rest of the day!

The view from the national park is amazing. Where else can you be above the clouds to watch the sun set. Make sure to bring a coat/sweater or a blanket. Also, the road up/down is windy so keep that in mind if you have someone in your party that is prone to get motion sickness. Bring some medicine or a plastic bag just in case ;-)

I have a full video review on youtube if you look up my username or click on the link in my profile.

My wife was hesitant to drive up to the summit of Haleakala because the volcano top was cover in clouds based on the view from our resort. It took a little convincing that the peak would be above the cloud. After a long drive ~ 1.5 hours from Kihei, we arrived about an hour before sunset, which gave us enough time to check out the visitor center and do a short hike with a nice view of the crater. Just before sunset we went to the location recommended by the park staff and enjoyed an amazing sunset as the sun descended and set in the clouds. The best colors happen 10 minutes after sunset so stick around to see them and wait for the stars to come out. The stars are truly amazing without the light pollution.

We definitely enjoyed the entire experience including the fun drive up and down

This was definitely a highlight in life's journey. I don't know of too many trips that one can take that includes such a range of emotions. Excitement, fear, serenity, calmness and joy rolled into one. For us it began from our hotel for an hour and a half ride before our 3 a.m. reservation. The stillness and darkness of the night broken only by the light of the full moon (how fortunate were we for that). Then the slow ascent up the mountain towards the summit. The twists, the turns, THE EDGES of the road and the view, WOW! We reached the top and found a few cars there before us. We parked and walked up to the summit encased in a cool 48 degrees to what can only be described as one with the earth. Went back to the car and set our alarms for 5:30 so we would not miss the 6:10 a.m. sunrise. We awoke to a full parking lot and about 100 people already at the summit waiting for that moment when the sun breached the clouds which are underneath you. As the crowd got larger you could feel the anticipation in the air as dawn slowly crept upon us. Then the crescendo arrived, the sun breaching the clouds to create a silver lining and slowly bring night into day. Then began our slow decent to some of the most gorgeous views. Mahalo to those who maintain this beautiful place.

We were staying in Kihei so we had to get up quite early to make it to the top for sunrise. We left our hotel around 3am for a 6:27am sunrise. We got to the top around 5:40 and the lot at the very top was full but we kind of made our own spot and it was fine. Many others did the same after us. It was definitely chilly but gorgeous. A man proposed to his girlfriend right in front of us during sunrise so that was adorable. We hiked around the top of the crater a bit and the kids had a great time. They were so excited to be 'in the clouds'. The ONLY disappointment was that the visitor center/gift shop was not open that early so we stopped at the one on our way down....only to learn that the one at the bottom was closed due to COVID so we had to order the sticker online for our National Park Passport.

We got here around 5:00am for the 5:57am sunrise. There were already several people out and about getting a good spot to view the sunrise. Bring warm clothes and a blanket. It was 45 when went. Exploring the rest of park afterwards is well worth it. A great place to spend the entire day but the sunrise is an absolute must-see.

Our recent trip to Maui Summer 2021 we took a drive up to the summit! This is a must see! Be prepared to take amazing pics! You do not have to get overwhelmed by planning a sunrise or sunset or (eeeek bike ride - more on that later) - just take your rental car and drive up - pack layers, you will need at least a sweatshirt, preferably both a sweatshirt and windbreaker. It is windy and it is cold (was 43 degrees at summit on a 86 degree day) bring food and drinks and you can picnic at the top (in your car as it is too windy & cold to eat outdoors). It is a $30 entrance fee you DO NOT need a reservation if you are NOT going for sunrise. We went around 1:00pm took about 1.5 hours from Whalers Village area. There are hairpin turns but all paved roads. I can't imagine biking down this road though I must mention it, my family and I are avid bikers but I felt that there was not adequate area for bikes and it appeared to be dangerous to me to do the drive down on your bike. I don't feel there is enough clear info out there about the reality of this bike ride down the mountain. You need to be very good bikers and feel comfortable on the main road without bike path, there are crazy hair pin turns and steep declines. Don't miss this chance to experience this wonder!

Required reservations between 3:00 and 7:00 am help to make this experience memorable and pleasant for all. NPS limits them number of cars that can enter which means there isn't overcrowding or searching for a parking space. Plan an hour travel time from Paia to get to the entrance gate and another 20 minutes or so to get up the mountain. We arrived about 45 minutes before sunrise and we could have been a bit earlier. Part of the experience is watching the subtleties of the changes in light. Depending on where you park you might have a short hike to a vantage point so be sure to have flashlights or head lamps. This is a MUST for anyone traveling to Maui. There are two entrances to the park. Plan to do both. The Summit side can be done with your sunrise reservation and the other side of the park in conjunction with a drive of the road to Hana. Get up early and drive the road all the way to the park for an excellent hike to a waterfall then work your way back towards the Waiʻānapanapa State Park (reservation require).

We went up twice to the top. On the first trip up rain clouds enveloped the mountain and we had no visibility we just got wet. We had been told, if you can see because of clouds just wait awhile and they will clear. They did not. We went back the next day, when we could see from the central part of Maui that the volcano was clear of clouds. Some clouds formed in our drive up, but not enough to block our view. The view from the top both into the desolation of the center Calderon and looking out are amazing. We will come up again during our next visit to Maui.

Many years ago I already did the tour at sunrise, and afterwards I rode my bike back down. A great experience, at that time still at an affordable price. The cost of this is simply astronomically high today and hardly financially viable for a family of four with over $1,000... just as spectacular, but much more predictable and much cheaper is watching the sunset. Unlike at sunrise, you can already see from below during the day whether you can actually see the sun on the summit of Haleakala, or whether the summit is in the clouds. At sunrise this is a pure roulette game... the cost of entry to the park is €30 per car, not per person. It is advisable to drive up earlier in the afternoon, which guarantees a high degree of security a parking space on the summit. The time until sunset can be used wonderfully for a hike into the crater on the Sliding Sands Trail. The length of the hike can be adjusted quite flexibly, but you should remember that the way back can be upwards and therefore a bit strenuous, as up there the air is already getting a little thinner..... the sunset is then no less spectacular than the sunrise, just a great natural spectacle over the clouds that you can enjoy well dressed quite relaxed. Remember: temperatures are in the low single digits.....
If you have some time, you should let the long consolation of returning vehicles drive and look at the fantastic starry sky, which is not disturbed by any artificial light... .

My family and I had a blast exploring this other-worldly landscape, which differs so much from the rest of Maui. Cinder cones, lava flows, and lava rock abound throughout the park!

There are several trails and overlooks to explore, so there's something for everyone! Our trip to Haleakala included:
--Leleiwi Overlook for gorgeous views
--Pa Ka'oao Hike (0.2 miles) to another great overlook
--Sliding Sands Hike that leads down into the crater
--Summit Overlook; we could see all of Maui from up here!

Make sure to dress in layers and bring plenty of water. The road to the summit is quite twisty, so car sickness is a possibility (two members of our party felt queasy).
Get an early start to make sure you see everything you want to.

This is certainly a must-do item on your Maui Bucket List!

Went to Haleakala summit to witness the sunrise and also walk along the Sliding Sands trail.
Getting a spot to view the sunrise can be quite a challenge if you don't get there early. The sunrise time when I travelled was 6:38 am and I was there at the summit by 5:30am. Getting there early gives you the best chance to find one of the prime spots right in front of the summit observation tower. Once the first light started glowing, there was a steady stream of people wanting to squeeze into available space. The sunrise was spectacular and worth every second of the wait.
Once sunrise viewing was done, most people left the park. We found that this was the best time to explore some of the hikes that the park had to offer. If you are in Haleakala, do not miss the Sliding Sands trail. It is a 11-mile long trail that goes downhill first and then uphill. It is a strenuous hike and be prepared to spend an entire day at the park if you are planning on this hike. For those who are bound by time, walk atleast up and until the first 1.5 miles of the trail. You will not be disappointed. The views are other-wordly and it feels like you are on another planet altogether. The clouds floating past the cindercones is a treat to watch.

This place will awaken your senses and make you feel closer to God when you see the sky painted with sunrise or sunset colors!

Made our way slowly up the mountain in time for sunset. The views were amazing. We brought a picnic to eat (in the car because brrrrr) while waiting on sunset time. Arrive early for a parking spot. Stay about an hour after for amazing stargazing too!

Visiting Haleakalā National Park was one of the highlights of our Maui trip. The experience was absolutely incredible—from the sweeping views at the summit to the surreal beauty of the crater below. My son, my brother, and I spent about an hour hiking down into the crater, and every step revealed something awe-inspiring. The landscape feels almost otherworldly—like walking on Mars with clouds drifting below you.
We were especially amazed by the observatory at the summit. It’s fascinating to see such a high-tech facility perched above the clouds, and it adds a sense of wonder to an already magical place.
Whether you're into hiking, photography, or just soaking in nature’s grandeur, Haleakalā delivers. The views are unforgettable, and the sense of peace and scale is something you have to experience in person. Highly recommend making the trip—sunrise or not, it’s spectacular any time of day!

We left Lahaina at 330AM to make sunrise. It was 71 degrees when we left and it was 30 degrees on the summit. We were prepared with layers. We packed our thermals, sweatshirts, hats, wool socks and gloves.

The drive on the way up is along the mountain edge in the pitch dark. The good news is the road is paved and very well maintained. The not so good news is Yes it is scary to drive the road up to the summit. I would have tapped out before we reached the check in to enter the park. My hubs was a trooper. He white knuckled it up there. He said going down was worse. He was on the brake going down. No gas necessary because gravity pulls you down. Seeing yourself drive down in the edge of the volcano did him in. He was laser focused and no chit chatting. LOL!

The views were incredible and we're glad we did it. But we don't necessarily have to do it again. A one and done for us. But it was definitely a sight to behold. Standing above the clouds. INCREDIBLE!

This National Park has many entries around the island. Including this entrance near the ocean to see waterfalls. Beautiful all around. Highly recommended!

incredible. worth the drive. Amazing to see the beauty of Hawaii... and meet the locals who call Hawaii home.

This place offers really breathtakig views once yuo reach the top by car, over 3000 meters over the Ocean is really something unforgettable and the drive up is worth it

The history behind this magical island was really brought to the forefront. Its super cold at the top but on a good day, you can see the highest mountain across the ocean on Hawaii. And going to the other side on the road to Hana was worth going from one extreme to the other. Amazing!

I enjoyed doing the sunset experience. There wasn't as much of a crowd there but it was cloudy. I still enjoyed the sunset but would have been better if clear. It is about 25 degrees or more cooler at the top. Dress warmly

It's a must. Amazing views. Our tour forgot us at the airport so we rented a car and drove. I wasn't going to miss it. They reimbursed us, no problem, all was good. Whether you tour or go on your own, just Go ~ We've been to a # of National Parks, but this one is Gorgeous. 10,000 feet up in the cloud. You can see the water below. There is a Visitor Center: gift shop about 1/2 way up and then also at the top: Summit. The stamp there reads Summit. Stop at both and get both stamps in your NP Passport Book. We aren't hikers, we just go to see the beauty and support by buying lots of souvenirs. I did not get a Nene Crossing sticker because we didn't see one on the way up, but we did on the way down, so I stopped and got the sticker :-). We haven't seen all the National Parks but I can't imagine one more beautiful than this one.

We went for sunset viewing. Due to government shutdown there was no fee collection. It was pretty busy and upper parking lot was full by 5pm (including extra parallel 'spots' by the curb). Lower lot still has spots and it is a 10min uphill walk to the summit so not too bad. You can drop off stuff at the top then park lower. The sunset (at 6pm) was lovely and being above the clouds a unique experience. Definitely gets cold even with nice weather so bring long pants, jacket and even gloves. Driving down in the dark was orderly and safe.

Hiking the Pipiwai trail to the big falls in the Kipahula District… hours for this area in the park are 9AM -5PM so plan accordingly. If you have visited the crater you can use the receipt for entry if it is within 3 days. We have the annual National park pass ($80 for a year/ all national parks vs $30/visit) and used that. The park buildings are closed from visitors inside (rangers are in the open doorways handing out maps and answering questions) and restrooms were open. The trail to the big falls is 2 miles in and the same out (4 miles round trip) and is moderately difficult climbing. There is a falls at .5 miles, a large banyan about 1 mile in and the bamboo forest not long after that with two bridges and other falls along the way to the giant falls (450’). The walk in and out took about 2 hours and was very worthwhile! Some people took lunches they ate near the big falls. After that hike we did the nearby trail (about .5 miles) for views of the seven Sacred pools, and the O’he’o Gulch. It was s as n easy hike and the pools snd falls were very cool to see. (The best view of all was actually from the bridge you drive across after visiting.) there is no swimming allowed in the pools.

We were not fortunate enough to get tickets to go up to the summit at sunrise. However, we did spend most of a day exploring this amazing national park. We saw nene, hiked down into the valley of the volcano, and enjoyed our time above the clouds.

You really must take clothing layers for a visit to this park. the summit is quite cold and windy and other parts were very warm.

The way is the target! Going by car is a kind of an adventure. The road was really in good condition and the varying nature is really interesting. And once you reach at the top at 3.055 m, it is amazing and reqarding for the drive of more than one hour. Clouds were interchanging with sun, but at the summit it was really sunny and not too cold.

Please go and see this BEAUTIFUL sunrise above the clouds! You do have to wake up EARLY but it is so WORTH IT! I am so GLAD my family watched this together. It is COLD up at the summit...wear layers, jackets and bring blankets. Also go drive around to the other lookout points and do a hike if you have time.

My favorite part was the sunrise, it was really beautiful and there was a ranger up there that was helpful, nice, and made sure everyone followed the rules. The visitor center had lots of awesome trinkets and the costumer service was great.

We hiked a part of the Sliding Sands trail at Haleakala. Wow. It was gorgeous. Great photo opportunities. Our kids were at different stages of readiness to bear this trail. Our 3rd grader was finished after 1 mile - but then had to trek that 1 mike back. Oof. Our 8th grader made it nearly six miles round trip.
When hiking this trail, wear a hat and a long sleeve shirt, take plenty of water, and know that cell coverage is limited. Pro tip: the hike back is much harder, due being mostly uphill and at high elevation (or maybe it is my middle-aged status!). What a memorable excursion and a beautiful piece of our National Park.
We visited the ranger station and gift shop. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. We left satisfied and grateful. This is a must-do stop when visiting Maui.

Since we rented a car we planned on driving ourselves up to the sunrise Haleakala's summit. I missed securing a ticket the early reservation block so I called recreation.gov and received good advice on snagging one of the limited number of tickets released at 7 am two days before the day you wish to go. The advice is: have your recreation.gov account previously set up, be logged into the system and few minutes prior to 7am, get to the Haleakala sunrise reservation page, have your 1 car entered, and have anyone else you're with do the same on their devices--then all of you hit you enter/send within seconds prior to 7 am. The site sells out the remaining tix within seconds of 7am. This advice worked for us. We got our reservation. We left Kihei around 4:15 am and got there prior to the beautiful colors of pre-sunrise. Bring your winter coats, hats and gloves to HI for this visit alone. It was bitterly cold and windy, we had coats and still had chattering teeth. My granddaughters and I took a break inside the NPS viewing post for a few minutes. It was worth it--we all loved it, including the kids. Particularly moving was the prayer chant sung native islander at sunrise. We followed the trail up to the tippy-top after the sunrise (the entire place clears out just after sunrise, all the tours leave). Quite memorable--we drove down to the Twin Falls afterwards (very different temperature!) and went swimming in the falls' pools there, then visited the North Shore and ate lunch in Paia, returning to Kihei after lunch to swim at our own beach. A great day! If you're a senior bring along your senior pass and save the $30.00 entrance fee to the park. If you want coffee, bring your own--my son-in-law brought a pot of coffee in our van and he refilled prior to going into the cold So many people asked him where he got the coffee. Understand there is no Starbucks or snack bar at the top! :) Highly recommend.

Enjoy sunrise between 3 am and 7 am. Book upto 60 days in advance to avoid disappointment. though we booked very close to our travel. A 2 wheel drive can take you comfortably up the winding roads. Travelling from Lahaina as early as 3 am can be quite challenging. So stay close to the Park, go to see the sunrise, spend the whole day enjoying the ocean views, the mountains and the drive around the crater rim and return to the same close-by accommodation. Simply fascinating. Around dusk, enjoy the sunset view and the stars. The pictures taken are at an altitude of 10,000 ft which shows the different colours of the volcano soil and the beautiful blue sky.

This was a highlight of our Maui trip. We hiked down into the crater with clouds rolling in and the views were simply breathtaking.

You need a permit for the sunrise. We tried several times, so you need to plan accordingly. It seemed like there was only 50 spots available when we tried 48 hours before. Make sure you are logged in before the spots open at 7am Hawaii Time.

We stayed in Kihei and left at 2:30am. It was slightly earlier than we needed, but it allowed us to take our time going up.

We parked at the parking lot with the visitors center (and bathrooms) and it was perfect. Visitors centre opens after sunrise.

Bring blankets and dress warm!

This was totally worth is and my highlight of Maui. If you find a spot to place your phone, take a Timelapse video, it is worth it.

So special and worth the trip up! I’m The fee is now $30/carload but the view is stellar and unworldly. If you can, do the bike up, and down (down if you’re not up for the climb, which few are).

The sunrise was amazing, as was the stargazing. Nothing much to add there. But I wanted to give a few pointers!

You need to book a reservation ahead of time. We did it about 6 weeks ahead of time. The website told us to print out the reservation and have it displayed in our car. This turned out to be unnecessary. We just gave them our name at check in and we were all set to go.

It is definitely worth it to get there early in order to see the stars while the sky is completely black. We were also able to park in the first parking lot by leaving early. As recommended by others, arrive around 5am. Get out of your car, and gaze at the stars by the overlook for 10 minutes.

Then get your ass back to the warm car and wait for the sun to rise. Truly beautiful.

The most helpful tip I received was to BRING YOUR HOTEL BLANKETS with you to the sunrise. I had packed a few light layers (mainly thin hoodies) and it was not enough! However, it's Hawaii. You don't want to pack a winter jacket that you're literally going to use for 2 hours during your entire trip. That's where the hotel blankets come in. I just happened to read on a messageboard to do so, and I am soooo glad I did. Kept me warm and made the trip bearable.

Totally mind blowing experience to stand ABOVE the clouds and watch the sunset and the amazing colors on the clouds !
Word of caution: it is 30-40 degrees colder than sea level and the wind chill can be brutal!
Go PREPARED! Warm blankets, jackets etc !!!

Also if you get motion sick ,a scopolamine patch is a MUST! My poor wife kept throwing up non stop directions the winding roads in the mountains!

Also watch out for cattle on the road in the dark!
Sunset doesn’t require reservations, but sunrise does!

Yes it takes some time to get there but it is absolutely worth going to the summit. The views are great. Unfortunately during the covid outbreak there were no sunrise tickets available and I really wish there were but it is still worth the trip to the top.

Be prepared for cold winds- bring jacket. Rain or shine, the top might be clear once you get there. BLow off the sunset bike tours, they dont go to the top in the park, rent a good road bike in Paia and ride up yourself- 4 hrs. Have your national park card for entrance, or pay at the gate- worth it to get to top.

Proudly claiming 10,023 feet at its peak, Haleakalā is Hawaii's third tallest volcano. We visited the park 11 years ago, but bad weather decided to hide the summit in thick fog. We had chosen a beautiful sunny day for the second try and it paid off. The journey via Haleakalā driveway to the top is simply mesmerizing. Upon entry, visitors must purchase a recreational pass at a cost of $30 per car. Bring extra layers to change into when you arrive and expect strong winds or sunshine. Sunscreen is not an option but a requirement. Do your homework before deciding to hike, some trails are time consuming and not for the unfit. If you are lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, the views at the top are breathtaking. Among a wide variety of lava colors and rocky landscapes, you will see the rare and famous silversword. We arrived early to avoid the midday crowds and had packed snacks and brought water as no drinks or food are available in the park. We felt slight signs of altitude sickness, on the summit crater of Haleakalā, but nothing major. On your way if you want to stop for lunch, we will recommend the town of Kula. Bottom line, the scenic drive and summit hike was memorable and highly recommended.

The drive is crazy so go slow, be careful and take nausea medication. Also stay hydrated!! This park is truly breathtaking! Go early before it gets busy and make a reservation if you go before 7am. I recommend the slippery sands hike but if you go past the half mile point be prepared. It takes twice as long to hike back up. Truly an experience I will never forget!!!

Visited early am-hiked Pipiwai trail (LOVE) and the pools (beautiful)! Hope to visit again some day soon!

We arrived at the entrance station around 8am (you can't enter before 7am unless you have reservations which seem impossible to acquire). Anyway. We tried but couldn't get sunrise reservations & was certainly not going to bother with a tour. So it goes! Gorgeous views from the summit and plenty of parking as everyone who watched the sunrise seemed to be headed down the hill. We are mountain people, so we came prepared with our down coats and mittens & you'll want to be prepared the same. There are some informative signs around The House of the Sun where you can also view the nearby observatory (not open to public). Teeny tiny visitor center at the summit (this one closes at noon).

We did a trail-run/hike from Sliding Sands trail to Kapalaoa cabin and looped around to the Halemau'u trailhead. There are several paths to take & distance-combos, but this loop ended up being around 14.5 miles. While we were chilly at the summit, we were down to our tank tops & shorts inside the crater itself. The running quality is excellent, save for the flat portion to Kapalaoa cabin which is a bit softer/challenging sand. We didn't see many people despite it being an absolutely sunny & gorgeous day. We hitched a ride from Halemau'u back to the summit to get our vehicle. This obviously isn't a guarantee, but we're used to hitching rides in Nat'l parks so it worked out. Of course, bring all the layers, water, sunscreen, etc. like any other run/hike...

Absolutely worthwhile to trail run and/or hike within the crater itself. The terrain is more varied than appears from simply looking down into the crater. Reminded me a lot of the variation when climbing Kilimanjaro, which I did not expect! There are not many hiking trails off the main road to the park, so plan on a longer adventure unless you prefer out and back. Remember, what hikes down, must hike up!

Do not leave Maui without visiting. We went for the sunset and the views are spectacular. The drive up & down is also a part of the experience you will never forget. Dress warm and take your beach chairs and blanket with you if you plan to stay for sunset.

I read a lot of the reviews about the curvy road to the summit. This was a little nerve wracking, but it was an enjoyable drive to me. I live near the mountains in East Tennessee, so curvy roads was just up my alley. The views from the summit and along the road were fantastic The first time I went up to the summit was 10 years ago and it was covered with clouds so we could not see anything. This time, it was clear. We stayed for the sunset, but it was, in my book, a flop. Just a little bit of reds & orange. We didn't even try for sunrise tickets, we are not morning people.

This was a great experience, and I'm glad we didn't skip this attraction in Maui! The drive up to the park was not fun. However, once we got up to the summit, the views were amazing! We went during the day, and it was still chilly, so bring a light jacket or sweatshirt!

Haleakala is a great place to visit. Love the silver sword plants, the views and the crater. It is interesting and always enjoy visiting there. My mom always said that seeing Haleakala was what it would be to visit the moon.

Haleakala means "House of the Sun" where the sun rose and set. The Lao (Valley of the Kings) is a tropical paradise dominated by the "Needle", a monolith towering over the valley floor that is he centerpiece of this National Park

Haleakala National Park offers breathtaking views and a truly unforgettable sunrise experience from its summit. My family and I were amazed by the sea of clouds stretching below us, creating a surreal and peaceful atmosphere. The park’s diverse landscapes, from volcanic terrain to lush greenery, make it a must-visit for hikers and nature lovers. The drive up is scenic but winding, so planning ahead is key. Whether you're here for a sunrise, sunset, or a daytime hike, Haleakala delivers a memorable and awe-inspiring adventure.

Only had a short while to do this on our last day because of a storm that hit the other days we were in Maui. The drive to Haleakala Nat'l Park is a windy scenic one with views far and deep of the island and surrounding waters - barely looks real and photos don't do justice.

The Leleiwi Overlook is a short walk to a beautiful viewpoint, however weather conditions change instantly (described on an info board) and your majestic scenery disappears *into thin air* right before your eyes.

We parked at the top and it was winter conditions with temps in the 30s, windy AF and fog so thick you couldn't see 2 feet in front of you. We waited a little while but we were not prepared with proper layering/clothing/gear and we were short on time so we just drove back down slightly bummed but still mostly in awe of how worth-it the drive alone was. Descending down the curves of the mountain the weather cleared up again. Would go back with a coat, hat and gloves!!

We started trying to get reservations the first day they were available and were never able to get them. Not sure how to obtain, think it’s more luck than anything.

My kids did not want to do this drive, and they are glad I forced them! I read about this trip before we went so we packed coats, hats and gloves. We decided to do the sunset as it fit our schedule better and we didn't have to get a reservation. We headed up the mountain in the late afternoon after stopping to pick up sandwiches. We loved listening to the Shaka App guide and learned a ton as we drove up. There were so many different landscapes. We arrived at the top about an hour before sunset and the top parking lot was already filled. We went to the parking lot just below and found a great spot. We hiked up a little trail and had our sandwiches as we watched the sun go down. We stayed about an extra hour to watch the stars come out. If I had to do it again I would have gone up earlier to do some of the hiking trails.

We had a beautiful sunny day for our drive up to the top of Haleakala. We arrived at the top around 10am and the views were amazing.

I love National Parks so easy for me to give 5 stars. This is an experience you should have, though. It is an odd trip up a mountain that high coming up from the beach. Through miles of clouds, coming out on top to a barren landscape of volcanic craters. We didn't do the sunrise thing - you won't see the white's of my eyes that early, but I hear it is life-changing. And the sea views were blocked by clouds on our visit, and my guess is that's the case on many visits. But how often in your life can you see something like this? Its a bucket list visit.

The colors in the rocks are amazing. Black, brown, grey, white, red, green.

Well marked beautiful park with a very informative visitor center!!!Well managed with park rangers who were caring and informative!

Beautiful views on the drive up and from the top even on a rainy day down below. Was a nice trip we worked in when our helicopter tour got canceled due to rain down in Kahului. Felt like we were in another world up there-can drive right up to the top and feels like you could drive off into the clouds. We did this trip mid-morning and I would still recommend it. Don’t forget to dress warm! We did a little bit of hiking on the shifting sands trail and nearly froze. Pretty cool perspective of how big it is when you consider the long drive on the Road to Hana we did earlier in the week, and that it’s the same mountain that we woke up to from the back door of our hotel in Wailea. Great experience and super clean restrooms at the visitors center up top!

The drive to the top was a little slow because of the curves and switchbacks, but very much worth it! The view at the top was phenomenal. We walked a little way into the crater, but not too far. It was windy at the top, so bring a jacket.

Our visit today was at a perfect time. Light crowds and beautiful weather. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. We did not hike to the bottom but the views were still outstanding.

After our early morning sunrise adventure we completed a 3-hr family hike of the summit of Haleakalā volcano. It was grueling and not for the faint of heart. Definitely not for those not in good physical condition, or with any significant health issues. It was breathtaking but a tough hike very prone to altitude sickness.

Make sure to come prepared for the various temperatures.

With over 30 miles (48 km) of hiking trails, that range from just 10 minutes to multi-day overnight trips, there are many options in the Summit District.

If you are prone to car/motion sickness, this may not be for you but if you can manage, it’s definitely worth it because the views are spectacular. We went in the afternoon but from what I’ve heard from other travellers, the sunrise tour is exceptional.

My husband and I drove up Haleakala ourselves. It was a bit nerve wracking for my husband as he is scared of heights but once he got to the top he said it was all worth it.
We were lucky it was a warm day and we're just in tshirts and shorts but as we went to leave a thick cloud cane over.
Also be aware that because of the altitude yoh may find hiking harder than normal

Oh my goodness. A must see, but do pack warm clothes it’s a bit chilly. We visited during the day, and it was cloudy but still was able to see the crater.

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 was our second visit to Haleakala and it did not disappoint. Even if the mountain looks like it's covered in clouds, go up anyway as you'll drive through the clouds and then have some amazing views. I like the feeling of driving through clouds.

An unforgettable adventure—starting at 85° on the beach, then climbing over 10,000 feet in just over an hour and a half to reach a cool 60° at the summit. The silence up there is otherworldly, with sweeping views into the massive volcanic crater that feels like another planet. If time (and parking space) allows, stay for the sunset and stars. Just a heads-up: there are no bathrooms at the summit, so plan ahead. 2nd visitor’s center is a half mile away. Bring chairs, warm blankets, and some tasty snacks to make the most of the wait for nature’s grand finale ✨

Sunset - phenomenal!
You were lucky. On the long but very nice journey there was fog and clouds. At the top, very cold, also fog. It's really wet and...
Shortly before sunset fog gone and the sun has danj set beautifully in the clouds.
Sunset clear recommendation.

OMG going 9179’ above sea level, being above the clouds, seeing the awesome natural made crater, the vegetation growing only there and just viewing the lava mountain up close and how it formed was just amazing!! Our driver Gabriel was professional, safe and very knowledgeable about plant life and the history of Hawaii.

There are so many views but of course most people go for the view of the "crater" which technically is from erosion but still very nice. Caught the sunset which was also nice. Keep in mind parking is limited at the top so arrive early if you want to park there. There are a couple of other nearby lots but you will have to walk and those fill up as well. Also it will get chilly once the sun starts to go down.

Absolutely a must-do if you’re visiting Maui for the first time. Came here with my boyfriend in the afternoon. We tried multiple times in the days leading up to our trip to get a sunset reservation but were unsuccessful. Luckily, there’s no reservation needed to watch the sunset. We were told to park in the parking lot at the top a couple of hours in advance of sunset to secure a spot, so we did. People brought chairs to sit along with blankets. It’s a good idea to wear layers, as it’s much colder on top of the mountain. There are various hiking trails of different lengths but it’s still a good place to visit at the different summits to lightly stroll and take photos. It’s good for large groups and families along as couples.

My family went there with the Maui All Stars Tour and oh man, this was our most favorite event of the entire trip. It below our minds! We learned so much from the tour guide. He was so courteus and professional. It gets really cold so you have to bring full winter clothing for this. Did you know the sunset is more beautiful than sunrise? It's because the air is more polluted in the evening so the sunset/sky look prettier. The guide also took so many wonderful pictures on our iPhone and he was so talented.

This park is just gorgeous. There is a fee to get in to drive up. The drive is stunning but need caution. The road can be a little narrow and 2 way traffic. And you will be driving on the cliff side at times. But I wouldn't consider dangerous unless you don't drive on the cautious side. There are look out points which I recommend stopping and taking some pictures. You won't see these views once at the top since the road is hidden by the crater. We spent a half day driving up (which takes about an hour without stops) and same driving down. The views from different perspectives is really amazing as you climb the road to the top. Obviously if you are taking the drive the goal is to get to the top to see the crater. There are many hikes along the way and at the crater top. Take the time to do some. I wish we would have taken the entire day to enjoy. Hopefully there will be a next time.

Unbelievable scenery. I will say I knew it would be cold, and still wasn't prepared for it. It was still more that worth the visit.

It is definitely worth visiting both the Summit and Kipahulu Districts of this park. The Kipahulu District is certainly a long drive, but if you're already driving to or staying in Hana, it is worth the time to visit, especially for Waimoku Falls and the Pipiwai Trail. The summit

The sunrise was worth the early morning wake-up. We left West Maui around 3:00am and had plenty of time to find parking and a find spot at the visitors center. The drive up in the dark is not the easiest and I would recommend wearing winter clothes. I would also recommend sticking around for awhile to see all the amazing viewpoints. Also, take the time to drive up to the summit so you can witness some even more spectacular views.

We drove up mountain and got to see just amazing views! It was cloudy as we went up but sunny at the top as ur literally above the clouds! $30 fee to get in the park is credit card only.

This was an amazing expereince - Haleakala National Park.
It was like you went up to Mars when you saw the top of the moutain. Having lunch above the clouds was something truly special and the hiking trails were very safe. Just a great experience.

We did not do Sunset or Sunrise (It was a rough drive up the mountain and assumign it would be tough in the dark) but it was a great experience.

In terms of hiking we drive all the way up the Summit and stopped at 17.5 - Leleiwi Lookout and also did Sliding Sands Trail (Keoneheehee Trail) with a picnic lunch there (we bought some sandwiches in Upcountry)

Haleakala National Park is beautiful!

Summit:
- If you want to see the sunrise, make a reservation or join a tour group.
- We didn't do the sunrise or sunset, but it was still very much worth the drive.
- even if it's cloudy, go up to the summit above the clouds. The views are stunning.
- save the receipt for the entry fee ($30 per vehicle) if you don't have a National Parks pass. It's good for 3 days.

Pools of 'O'heo (Seven Sacred Pools)
- Beautiful views of waterfalls and pools
- waterfall pools were closed for swimming but it's still worth the visit

If you travel to Maui you should not miss this park. The best is to be on top of the crater area during sunset. The rest is fine.

The drive up into Haleakala National Park to the crater was steep, switchbacks galore but so worth it. We drove through thick mist but stayed on to the top, which was clear and sunny. The views of the crater and the island of Maui were incredible.

This amazing destination is a time commitment, but the views are unlike any you will see ANYWHERE. That being said, the sunrise experience gets all the press and thus the demand. Obtaining tickets for the limited audience permitted access for sunrise is next to impossible. The alternative? Sunset!

Sunset is amazing as you tower over the clouds and see the kaleidoscope of color created in the evening sky. If you are thinking about making the trip, don't look at the clouds shrouding the mountain and decide against going - that's the magic element that makes it all so unique. You'll be above the cloud cover and the visuals are simply jaw-dropping. Sunset - do it!

We finally made it up the mountain to watch the sunset on Haleakala. We are not really early morning people and knew we wouldn't make sunrise. Lol! It was stunning! Totally worth the drive!

This is a must visit place on Maui. It’s very interesting and the views are wonderful! No matter what time of day you go, be prepared for it to be cold and windy. Wear plenty of warm clothes any time of day. There’s a wonderful stargazing tour you can go on that brings you up here at night with a wonderful telescope and guide. After dark it is quite cold!

I took my grand daughter and her friend here to see this amazing iconic place. You must go here when visiting Maui. It's like nothing you have ever seen before. I have been here 4 times now and never not amazed at its beauty and splendor. As an added benefit is the beautiful drive getting there. It is a lot of twist and turns but what a view!

Recommend getting the sunrise tickets in advance on recreation.gov and setting your alarm early! Remember to get up there about an hour before sunrise and bring warm clothes. Also enjoyed a moderate hike out to see the crater from above starting at Halemau'u Trailhead. Also recommend going around to the backside of the park on a different day and doing the Pipiwai Trail with the Banyan tree, bamboo forest and waterfall.

The drive was about 90 minutes. We stopped at the visitor center. The drive up to the top has beautiful sentry. So many rocks, mountains , greenery to see. When you get to the top be ready for chilly weather with high winds. The best thing at the top is a rainbow over the crater! Breathtaking!!!

We would rate this National Park a 1.
We tried for months to get tickets to see the sunrise on Maui. When we got to Maui I would set our alarm for 6:50 am to try to be one of the 50 tickets. 7:00 am was when they went on sale. By 7:01 am they were all gone every morning. We never got to sleep-in and we never got to see the sunrise. We emailed for help in regards to why if we we were online at 7:00 am, why were we never getting one ticket. No one helped us.

One time I did get through on a number, and the lady employee said to use Google Chrome as our browser, and we already were. Also, not everyone is able to go online, they might not have a lap top with, they may not have a Smart phone, and many older people are not familiar with having to go online to to get a ticket, and they never were able to get tickets either. They were upset and frustrated.

Also, be prepared, the drive up to this National is a long way, and once you get past the fee station, there is a good chance you will be above the clouds, have rain, wind, and you can’t see anything.

Our wish for you is for you to have sunshine… and some form of a miracle happen, so you are able to get a ticket.

Safe travels friends!

This is the 4 or 5 time to visit the mountain. It never disappoints. We had a beautiful clear morning and could see the island of Hawaii in its entirety. It’s worth your time to walk even for a short distance on the Sliding Sand trail to get the feel of being in the crater. Haleakala is a beautiful place.

You need a reservation to enter before 7 am so plan ahead. We wanted to be at the summit to see the sunrise but misjudged how long it would take us to get there. So after an extremely long and slow drive...we arrived to clouds. Bathrooms were closed but they had portable potties (which could not have been filthier). Dress warmly, temperature is easily 30 degrees colder.

We drove up to hike the crater but turned around at the entrance after being told the road was closed to vehicles due to snow and ice. Second try we made it up, and very glad we did. Great hike, gorgeous colours and amazing views. Check weather and road conditions before you start your drive.

Amazingly beautiful! Driving through the clouds and then above them is a magical experience. Easy drive and stroll to (if you want) hiking and horseback ridding. Fun drive up, not as intense as the Road to Hana. It's cold, jeans and a hoodie at a minimum.

We decided we would go at sunset, rather than sunrise. It was a tough decision, we were happy we did it. So, if you are like us, you came to Maui to have beach time, snorkel time, and see the sights. We spent nine days in Hawaii; consider the first day and last day travel days when you get the lay of the land or are in transit (think jet-lag). You are down to seven days; we felt Pearl Harbor (Oahu), snorkel day, Haleakala sunrise/sunset, Road to Hana, Hookipa Bay (the turtles), Keone’o’io Nature Preserve and two beach days rounds it out with a spa morning and some evening dinners. So there you have it, a busy vacation with a little sun time; now back to Haleakala. We did not feel waking up at 1:00 a.m. to be in line at 3:00 a.m. is worth it if you budget your time for a week-ish vacation. Instead of getting up in the middle of the night for Haleakala, we got up early one morning, drove straight to Hana- go past Hana and see the waterfalls, eat at Huli Huli Chicken on the beach in Hana, stop at Coconut Glens for an afternoon snack, drive up to Haleakala, see the sunset and hike a bit before that. The turtles are 15 minutes from the airport, do them the day you go home. Skip the expensive snorkeling and rent at the beach on Ka’annapali Beach near the Black Rock. It’s not everything, but it hits the high points. FYI; the pass to get into Haleakala is $30, but it’s good for three days. If I gave you bad advice, you can go back in the morning (get on the National Park Service reservations 2 days in advance). Remember, you don’t need a reservation for the sunset, just the sunrise. Another tidbit; the road to Haleakala is just a lot of turns and I don’t know why other reviews are so hung up on it; think Rocky Mountain National Park.

We tried to get a reservation for sunrise - but were unable to. We had visited a number of years ago and did the bike ride down after watching a sunrise covered by clouds. The sunset was magnificent! We went to the top (plan - it was cold - 44 degrees!) and walked a bit then drove down for better views of the sunset. Really not to be missed and much easier to predict!

I am not sure what else to say that already hasn't been said about this place. If you are on Maui this is the one spot you truly need to hit as seeing the sunrise above the clouds is truly an experience. However, just make sure to dress warm as it will get very cold up there no matter what time of the year that you go. After the sun is up, you can't believe just truly high up that you are. This place is truly special and must visit if you are in Maui.

We took an over 6 hour drive from Kehei and once we arrived to were told to take a path to the pools just 15 minutes to the right. What we saw was true decadence in beauty.