Make a reservation, arrive early, and soak in this unique experience. This 8-mile trek is actually rated hard, but we suggest you just hike the first mile, then turn around the way you came. The Haleakala sunrise has become so popular that reservations are required. The restaurant, which is a favorite of tour groups, features island specialties such as mango barbecue ribs and Macadamia nut pesto pasta. The view from the summit is spectacular and it is from here that you can. At this overlook, youll see the crater floor from a completely different perspective. However, you can embark on shorter walks, hike only the first section of the hike Ill discuss, and/or use your car to hop from one viewing area to another on the Haleakala Highway. Entrance to the national park costs $20 per vehicle. And indeed, the sun rising over the craggy volcanic rocks of Haleakala is a sight to see. Habit view Hana coast at Leleiwi Haleakala National Park, Photo by Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US, via Wiki Commons. You can take a left onto the, and reach the main road within a less challenging 7.3 miles (11.7 km) climb, after which youll need to hitch a ride back to the parking lot (if you didnt plan this ahead of time with two cars). Some other things to be aware of is that you may experience altitude sickness due to the 10,000 foot climb. haha. From the overlook, youll not only be offered to buy some weed but youll primarily enjoy sweeping views of the coastline and the daring surfers that ride its waves. While its Hawaii, youll still want to dress in layers as temperatures will be much colder at the summit. Seasonal Activities in Southern California. HALEAKALA HI So when you dont have service, it still works! So you may think its well worth it to see the Haleakala sunrise too! WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING Throughout the drive, youll come across a few places to take short hikes. This national park is home to some of the most magnificent sunrise and sunset views. I walked up a path and found a place that was empty when I got there. Crater at Haleakala National Park, Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson.

The summit, at an elevation of 10,023 feet, is likely to be windswept and clear just after sunrise. Plan ahead: There are no gas stations, so make sure you have a full tank if youre driving here and remember youll need to pay an entrance fee at the park in addition to making the sunrise reservation. But this 3-day pass (receipt) is also good for the Haleakala coastal side. Visit historic Makawao Town, Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson. I decided that I did not want to wake up so early and/or put in so much effort to see the sunrise. Its definitely worth a stop! Because according to the Haleakala sunrise reviews, pretty much everyone who goes thinks its an amazing experience and well worth it! This is one of the top surfing beaches in Hawaii! Haleakala is the volcano that created East Maui, so immense that it is roughly the size of Manhattan! You will know best whether you think a sunrise is worth waking up for! Most visitors pass up Leleiwi Overlook but in our opinion its actually one the best on the mountain! doable haleakala This site contains affiliate links. Ready to take the Sunrise at Haleakala Tour? Park your car, walk around the summit or make a quick run into the protected viewing area if its a windy day. Its a great spot to stop and breathe in the fresh air from all the foliage around you. We had originally purchased tickets for Sunrise at Haleakala National Park on the first full day of our trip. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. From the overlook, youll not only be offered to buy some weed but youll primarily enjoy sweeping views of the coastline and the daring surfers that ride its waves. BADLANDS SD If you dont want to commit to a longer hike, you can enjoy the views from here and admire the craters unique flora before heading back up. We recommend taking about 4-6 hours or more to get the full experience. If you are not planning to head toward Haleakalas Kipahulu District, you might want to check out one of the nearby historic Upcountry spots an hour or so from the park.

Please pick up your trash; never touch any marine life, plants, or other animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Youll still get a great view of a crater rim in the condensed version and you'll have more time for the rest of the activities on this tour! At 10,023 ft (3,055m), the highest point on Maui is a prime location for scientific and space observatories. If youd prefer just a taste of the crater trail, head to the first overlook, about a half-mile in. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Once back on Earth, well celebrate Polynesian culture in one of the best luau shows in Hawaii. Between ocean adventures and waterfalls, there are so many amazing things to do on your visit to Maui. Take your time on the way up and get acclimatized to the altitude. As you are driving the Haleakala Highway in the dark for your Haleakala sunrise, take extra care to look out for wildlife, including nene! See current fees. Check out our Sunset & Stargazing Haleakala Tour. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Nearly 11 miles long and featuring approximately 2,500 feet of elevation change, the Sliding Sands Trail is rated as difficult. Unlike the hike to the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island, in Haleakala, you hike down to the main attraction, and theres no better way to fully experience the Haleakala Crater than on the Sliding Sands Trail. GRAND CANYON AZ Bring food for the day, snacks, and plenty of water (min 2L per person if hiking). The Haleakala summit, where youre headed to see the Haleakala sunrise, is at high altitude. When youre in Hawaii, we ask that you act respectfully towards the locals, land and wildlife. Depending on the length of your hike, lunch could well be your next stop. The summit area has more than 30 miles of hiking trails, so its easy to access one of the popular spots as you begin your descent. When you make it to the summit of Haleakala, you will no doubt comprehend the meaning of its name in native Hawaiian , . Hosmer Grove is located just outside the national park entrance at an elevation of 6,800 feet. The blue sky melds with the far-off coastline, contrasting beautifully with the red and black rock formations at the summit. This is the actual summit of Mount Haleakala at 10,023 feet above sea level. In a very specific area of the beach, dozens of green sea turtles are huddled together as they work on their tan. . Pick up the trailhead from the visitor center parking lot and begin the descent towards the crater floor via several switchbacks. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If youre still in the summit area, check out the sunset and then stay for the night sky. Once again, if you will be hiking, I recommend leaving the viewing areas (aside from the summit) for the drive down since the views on the hike will trump those from the lookouts. If you want to shorten the morning drive time to the Haleakala sunrise, then there is the Hosmer Grove Campground located in Haleakala National Park that you can try. If youll be visiting the Big Island, you can get a similar experience by.

In such a tropical island, exploring this natural marvel is a shocking discovery. It was also not as packed as it was for sunrise. Be prepared for a slightly eerie drive along winding roads. I recommend wearing several layers on this day, including long sleeves and pants, and a final layer wind-blocking material. It gets trapped, condenses, and rains down on the Hana coast, leaving this part of the island bone dry. Why Keeping Your Clothes On Could Save You Big Bucks In Sorrento, Italy, JetBlue Could Soon Become The Fifth-Largest U.S. Instead, I went to the Haleakala summit during the day, and I thought it was amazing. As we near the base of Haleakala we will approach Upcountry Maui. (There are only 6 campsites.). Another thing that you may consider as you are planning your Maui itinerary is that you might try to schedule your Haleakala sunrise trip within the first few days of landing in Maui. Youll also come across many overlooks and pullout spots on your way up Haleakala. With over 60 audio points, a variety of hikes, and a number of lookouts plan on spending about 4-6 hours driving to the summit and back. The advantages of venturing deep into the crater floor include a unique vantage point towards the trailhead section of the crater and a closer inspection of the bizarre cinder cones and their Martian-like soil. Bring your I.D. If youre not a morning person, visit during the day or at sunset for another unique experience. (map), The drive time from West Maui / Kapalua to Haleakala summit might be around 2 hours. Instead, we just decided to visit Haleakala on our last day before heading back to the airport. Finally, you can check Maui Winery which is famous for its pineapple wine. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Spend some time on luxurious Wailea Beach, and dont miss these hidden gems. We are on a mission to make travel easy and accessible for everyone. Keep in mind that the weather can be unpredictable, especially at the summit. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. A warm coat, a hat, and gloves are recommended. The day before you will also want to be sure you have a full gas tank so thats not something you have to worry about in the morning! For plant lovers, theres Kula Botanical Garden. The trail runs for a total one-way distance of 9.2 miles (14.8 km), requiring you to camp in one of the cabins along the way (with advanced reservations). I will have to check it out. It gets VERY cold all throughout the year due to the altitude. The views are surreal: endless shades of red, cinder cones galore, and clouds hanging over the scenic Hana coast. If you dont want to commit to a longer hike, you can enjoy the views from here and admire the craters unique flora before heading back up. before calling it a day (see day 1 itinerary). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its an easy process, and the fee is minimal. I saw it too but I actually liked sunset even more. And the remote Kipahulu District is an iconic Maui destination. My Airbnb rental provided coats and wind pants. Itll go automatically throughout your entire drive (unless you choose to turn it off). Both of these were actually rather good things. The drive time from South Maui / Wailea to Haleakala summit might be around 1.5 hours. The Haleakala National Park 3-day pass is around $30 per car. Also as part of your preparation to enter Haleakala National Park before sunrise, you will want to make sure you are ready to show proof of reservation. Don't want to wake up for sunset?

. Honestly, I thought I would bump into the Mars Curiosity Rover at any point. NEW YORK Watching the sunrise at Haleakala National Park in Maui is one of the ultimate experiences in Hawaii. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". However, you can simply hike part of the trail to get a feel for the crater floor which is exactly what I did. This side of Haleakala National Park is where you will find the famous bamboo forest and famous waterfalls.). WIND CAVE SD If you decide that youd rather not do it on your own, there are also Haleakala sunrise tours. Then just hunker down and keep your eyes on the east. , you can simply hike part of the trail to get a feel for the crater floor which is exactly what I did. Dress in layers that you can peel off as it starts to warm up after sunrise. One of the most important things you should know about doing the Haleakala sunrise on your own is that it requires waking up very early. The walk is just .5 miles, and its well worth it. You can take a left onto the Halemauu Trail and reach the main road within a less challenging 7.3 miles (11.7 km) climb, after which youll need to hitch a ride back to the parking lot (if you didnt plan this ahead of time with two cars). The cost to make a Haleakala sunrise reservation is $1. It is also a very (very) windy place. The good vantage points will fill up, so even though its tempting to wait in your car, its best to stake out a spot. We especially enjoy visiting National Parks, wine tasting, and taking day trips around Southern California! When driving back down from the summit area, shift your vehicle into low gear to avoid unnecessary strain on your brake pads. Once you arrive at the Haleakala National Park entry station, you will also need to pay a national park entrance fee. You now need to make a camping reservation through the National Park Service.

Once you arrive at the summit, you will want to join the crowds gathered along the ledge as soon as possible. , in Haleakala, you hike down to the main attraction, and theres no better way to fully experience the Haleakala Crater than on the Sliding Sands Trail. ), The Haleakala website says, With world-class night sky conditions, Haleakala offers one of the most easily accessible places to watch the planets, stars, and moon after dark.. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Standing at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet, Haleakala is the worlds largest dormant volcano. The view from the summit is spectacular and it is from here that you can witness how Haleakala creates weather in real-time. As we pass the ticket booth for the park entrance, you will see a sign on your left for Haleakala National Park. On the sign you will see a depiction of the Hawaiian legendary God Maui with his rope trying to pull down the sun. Todays itinerary includes an awesome hike that will take up the bulk of the day. This is a short, relaxing, half-mile loop trail. If you only have two or three days in Maui, do not miss the visit to the Haleakala Crater part of Haleakala National Park. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It took me a total of 5.5 hours to make it back including many stops, but I must admit that climbing back up was challenging and slow-going due to a combination of fatigue, dryness, wind, and high altitude. The dormant volcanos crater is actually a valley carved by erosion, and the experience of watching the sunrise or sunset from Haleakala wont disappoint. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. (pronounce: nay-nay), Its happened on the Haleakala Highway. Depending on the time of year, the sun rises over Haleakala between 5:45 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. The summit is also home to a string of futuristic-looking domed observatories. First up is Sliding Sands Trail. (aka the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park aka the Road to Hana side of Haleakala National Park! Cindy's articles about outdoor adventures have appeared in numerous regional and national publications. Advanced reservations are a must as this show often sells out weeks in advance. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. With more than 600 curves along the way, the road is not a quick and easy drive. (Credit cards are accepted.). This is a kitesurfing beach but even if youre not hitting the water, youll be treated to awesome views of the suns rays piercing through the cracks of the Iao Valley and the beautiful Maui locals that like to hang out here. If you dont feel like a luau show, head to Paia after catching up with the turtles and dine at the. Once the sun rises, take your time and explore Haleakala. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. If you want to go after sunrise time, then you can go to Haleakala without a reservation on your own! I posted pictures of it in case you want to look. It is also a perfect way to start your day at the spectacular Haleakala National Park. So first, yes, you can do the Haleakala sunrise on your own! At Haleakala National Park, you can spend the day hiking or going a bike riding tour, but watching the sunrise from the summit is worth setting your alarm for and making the drive to the top. You see, Haleakala is so massive, that moisture carried by the trade winds rarely travels beyond its steep slopes. LANAI In Upcountry Maui there are a couple interesting farms in the area. After 3.9 miles (6.3 km), youll reach the floor of the crater and a fork in the trail. After the dusty red of Haleakala, its time to return to the blue of the Pacific. Shaka Guide's Sunrise at Haleakala National Park Tour Itinerary, 10 Ways to be a Safe and Responsible Traveler in Hawaii. Still they stay, in anticipation of one of Mauis premier attractions. Airline, The Best 9 New Hampshire Vacation Rentals To Enjoy Fall Foliage, 11 Best Places To Stay In U.S. National Parks, 11 Best National Park Properties Our Readers Love. Finally, the tip of the sun will appear, to the collective gasp of the crowd. ), You will make Haleakala sunrise reservations through the National Park Service reservation system which is recreation.gov. Temperatures will start to warm up, and when you walk around, youll be able to see the ocean and other views of Maui. There is no daylight savings time in Hawaii. Do the math, and youll see that a 3:30 a.m. departure time is typical for people driving to the summit. IDAHO What luck! The Old Lahaina Luau is regarded as the best luau in Maui.

Thanks for your support! If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive early. PEARL HARBOR HI MAUI The park recommends that you rent a pair of binoculars at one of the island dive shops, pick up a star map at the Haleakala Visitor Center, stop at one of the park overlooks, and see if you can spot the moons of Jupiter. After youve paid the park entrance fee (or showed the receipt from your visit to the Kipahulu side of the park from day 1), stop at the Park Headquarters Visitors Center before the final ascent to the summit and inquire about weather conditions and various hiking trails suitable for all fitness conditions and time constraints. In fact, it is so trendy that, If you wont be getting up (super) early for the sunrise (like me) hit the road by 7:30 am in order to have a full day and optimal weather on Haleakala. So if you decide to go and you get good weather so that you can see the sunrise theres a very good chance that you will think the Haleakala sunrise was worth it too! Located on the western slope of the Haleakala Crater, it sits in a garden of flowers and offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui Mountains. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS It takes at least an hour each way just to drive up and down Haleakala, but remember youll be stopping along the way for trails, overlooks, or to possibly watch the sunrise or sunset. At 10,023 ft (3,055m), the highest point on Maui is a prime location for scientific and space observatories. Still, the views are sure to make up for the difficulty of the road. Bring a jacket and blanket. The road to the Haleakala sunrise viewing area is a national park fee area. Theyre not open to the public (except for on special astronomy tours), but it is interesting to read about the role they play in astronomical research by entities such as the Air Force Research Laboratory. You may also see nene in Haleakala National Park. Bring something to eat; there is no food available at the park. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (Exact time difference will depend on when you go. Since youre at the summit already, be sure to take the time to wander the lava fields. Coupled with the gusty wind and drizzling rain, that 42 degrees felt much colder. Advanced reservations are a must as this show often sells out weeks in advance. You need to buy your Haleakala sunrise ticket from the National Park Service before you go. Bookmark this link to search for the best places to stay in Maui., Before you go: Make a reservation to enter this National Park to watch the sunrise. Known as the worlds largest dormant volcano, Haleakala reaches a height of 10,023 ft (3,055m) and, as well soon see, is responsible for much of the bizarre weather on Maui: the tropical north and the dessert-like south. On the October morning that I visited, the temperature at the summit dropped to 42 degrees. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING The summit gets really chilly, especially at sunrise. For a view of the pools, the half-mile Kuloa Point Trail is an easy option, or for waterfalls and a bamboo forest, the Pipiwai Trail is about 4 miles long. Known as the house of the sun, Haleakalas elevation is over 10,000 feet above sea level. It is also a very (very) windy place. Youll definitely be driving through and above the clouds on this trip, so be prepared for that too! Haleakala means house of the sun in Hawaiian. Take your time and breathe deeply, the air is much thinner up there. Here you can find the Alii Lavender Farm, a great place to unwind and enjoy the fragrance of lavender. Eat a meal before going in or bring one to have a picnic if youd like. The main visitor center is near the summit. And considering all there is to see, your 3 a.m. wake-up call for catching the sunrise will put you in a good position for a full day of sampling what the park has to offer. One Day In Arches National Park Itinerary, The Hunt For The Rarest Flower In Raiatea Island, Top 10 Things To Do In Zion National Park, Summer in Sicily! Now, I have not actually seen the Haleakala sunrise myself. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Check the weather before you go. NATIONAL LAKESHORES But the road is paved and well maintained, so an alert driver should have no problem navigating it. It does not store any personal data. BIG ISLAND And the views! It was such a serene experience, and while I was exhausted on the way down, it was worth it. Leleiwi, on the other hand, offers impressive views of East Maui and its coast. . (No reservations are currently required for the sunset. You see, Haleakala is so massive, that moisture carried by the trade winds rarely travels beyond its steep slopes. Thanks for your support! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Going to see the Haleakala sunrise on your own means a drive to the Haleakala summit. Camping sites are also available. The parking lot fills up fast, get there early. Since theres still so much to do on the tour today, we recommend you just hike to the first switchback or until you get tired. ARIZONA Additionally, reservations are required for entry from 3am to 7am. 15 Best Hidden Gem National Parks To Visit In The U.S. For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, national parks requiring changes for visitors.