does an annual pass make sense (Haleakala NP)

Question

Hello! I'll be in Maui for about 5 days. We have our sunrise reservation for Haleakala and also plan to visit / hike in the area. On another day - we plan to hike the Pipiwai Trail. It looks like we will need to pay a vehicle fee ($30) at both locations - is that right? If so - we'll pick up an Annual pass ($55). Just making sure I've understood the process correctly. Thanks!

Answer

Yes, you are on the right track! Here's a breakdown of the fees and whether an Annual Pass makes sense for your visit to Haleakalā National Park and the Pipiwai Trail.

### Vehicle Fees:

Haleakalā National Park: There is indeed a $30 vehicle fee to enter Haleakalā National Park. This fee gives you access to both the summit area (where you’ll be for the sunrise reservation) and the Kipahulu area (where the Pipiwai Trail is located). The fee is valid for 3 days, so you will be able to use it on your multiple visits to the park.
Pipiwai Trail: The Pipiwai Trail is located in the Kipahulu District of Haleakalā National Park, so the $30 vehicle fee also covers your entry here.

### Annual Pass:

Annual Pass to National Parks: The National Park Annual Pass is $55 and covers entrance fees for more than 2,000 national parks, including Haleakalā. If you plan to visit additional national parks within the year, it can be a good deal. Since your current trip only involves Haleakalā and potentially one other visit to the park (with the sunrise reservation and Pipiwai Trail), you might not get the full benefit of the pass unless you're planning future park visits within the year.
Cost Comparison: For your trip, the $30 entrance fee will cover both Haleakalā and Pipiwai Trail, so the Annual Pass may not save you money for this specific visit. However, if you plan on visiting more national parks in the next year (such as in the mainland or other islands), the Annual Pass would be a good value.

### Conclusion:

For this trip, if you're only visiting Haleakalā National Park, it might be more cost-effective to simply pay the $30 vehicle fee. The Annual Pass would only make sense if you plan to visit other national parks in the near future. However, if you anticipate returning to national parks within the year, it might be worth purchasing the Annual Pass for future savings.

Hope this helps! Enjoy your hikes and the sunrise at Haleakalā!