Camping in Haleakala National Park

Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui is comprised of more than 30,000 acres of land, encompassing Maui's 10,023 ft peak, Haleakala, which means "house of the sun". Every day, hundreds of visitors make the trek to the top of this dormant volcano before the crack of dawn to witness one of the most spectacular sunrises you will ever experience (the sunset is not bad either!). The park itself has 3 visitor centers and covers many natural environments including tropical rainforest and desert areas.

Many Maui visitors enjoy horseback riding and hiking in the crater and if you love to camp there are two campsites at Paliku and Holua, which are accessible via the trail. Permits are required, free and require a picture ID and 8 minute orientation. They are offered on a first-come-first-served basis and can be obtained at the Main Visitor Center any time before 3pm on the day that you wish to begin your visit.

If you choose to camp in the park, Holua Campsite can be reached by the shortest hike. The campsite is at 6,940 feet elevation and can be reached by hiking approximately 3.7 miles along the Halemau'u trail.

Paliku can be reached with a more strenuous 9.3 mile hike down the Sliding Sands trail. This campsite can be especially cool, due to rain, which is common in this area.

If you prefer not to make the hike, but still want to spend the night in Haleakala National Park, there are two campsites, which can be accessed via car. Hosmer Grove, which is just below the 7,000 foot level, can get very cold, with temperatures that can drop below 0 degrees Celsius. There is a half mile trail where you can learn about the native plants in the forest.

Kipahulu campground is located just south of the Kipahulu Visitor Center on the east side of the island, near Oheo Gulch, just past Hana. The campground is a short walk from the falls at Oheo Gulch and overlooks some beautiful sea cliffs.

For both of the "drive-up" campsites, no reservation is required or permitted, and both are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

No matter how you decide to visit Haleakala State Park during your Maui vacation, be sure that you are fit for the elevation and activity, bring the appropriate attire, and are prepared for the extreme weather conditions.

For more information on camping in Haleakala National Park, visit the wilderness camping section on the National Parks Website.