Hours & Visitor Centers | Getting There | Recreation & Activities | Weather & Safety | Accessibility | Fees | Links

Visitors to Haleakala National Park can explore the summit area and the Kipahulu area on the coast. Each area tells a unique story of the park, in nature and culture. Although the park extends from the summit of the mountain to the coast, the summit and the coastal areas are not directly connected by road. It will take two separate trips to see both areas, and your entrance fee is valid in the whole park for 7 days. By visiting both the summit and Kipahulu, a visitor will experience contrasting yet genuinely Hawaiian environments that can deepen an understanding of Hawaii.

Map showing park areas.

Summit Area
A view of the cinder desert at the summit. NPS photo.A visit to the summit area will transport you to a world of dramatic scenery, a diversity of landscapes, and hiking trails that explore geological, biological, and cultural features. Many visitors enjoy the expansive views from the summit of Haleakala; at 10,023 feet it is the highest point on Maui. A drive through the summit area traverses many different landscapes, all home to exceptional native Hawaiian plants and wildlife. It is here one may see the ahinahina (Haleakala silversword) and nene (Hawaiian goose). The most distinctive landscape feature in this area is the eroded valley carved into the mountain where recent signs of volcanic activity are evident.


Kipahulu Area
Pipiwai stream runs through the Kipahulu area. NPS photo.A world away from the cinder desert of the summit's eroded valley is the lush and fertile valley of Kipahulu. Along the coast ten miles south of Hana lies Kipahulu, a relatively recent addition to Haleakala National Park. The coastal area is lined with beautiful freshwater pools and waterfalls including the pools of Oheo, which are accessible by car. The high-elevation region of Kipahulu Valley protects the largest intact Hawaiian rain forest ecosystem teeming with native life. Steeped in the rich traditions of a living culture, Kipahulu is a place to learn about the life and land of the Hawaiian people through the generations.


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To facilitate a safe and enjoyable visit to Haleakala National Park we recommend that you take a few minutes to review the following information. In planning your trip to Haleakala, consider driving conditions, weather, and what you might do while you are here. Whatever you decide, you need to bring suitable gear, food, and water. There is no food or gas available in the park, so fill up the gas tank and the cooler before heading toward either the summit or Kipahulu area of the park.

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Season and Hours of Operation
Haleakala National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for severe weather closure.

Visitor Centers and Exhibits
Park Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakala Visitor Center, and Kipahulu Visitor Center are open daily and year round subject to staff availability (with the exception of Haleakala Visitor Center on December 25 and January 1).
All visitor centers have cultural and natural history exhibits. Books, maps, and posters are offered for sale by the Hawaii Natural History Association. Naturalists are on duty during business hours to answer questions and help you make the most of your visit. Programs are offered regularly. There is a pay phone near both the Park Heheadquarters Visitor Center and the Kipahulu Visitor Center.

Hours
The park is open 24 hours a day.
Park Headquarters Visitor Center (7000 ft/2134 m) - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Haleakala Visitor Center (9740 ft/2969 m) - 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Kipahulu Visitor Center (sea level) - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Getting There
Plane - The main airport is in Kahului on central Maui. Major airlines fly from the U.S. mainland and inter-island flights are available between the inhabited Hawaiian Islands.
Car - Haleakala National Park extends from the 10,023 foot summit of Haleakala down the southeast flank of the mountain to the Kipahulu coast near Hana. These two sections of the park are not directly connected by road, but both can be reached from Kahului. The summit area of Haleakala is a two hour drive from Kahului. The Kipahulu area of the park can be reached via Hana Highway, a curvy, often wet road, three to four hours from Kahului. Maps and Directions are available.
Public Transportation - There is no public transportation available either to or in the park.

Weather and Climate
The weather in both the summit and Kipahulu areas of Haleakala National Park is unpredictable and can change quickly. Be prepared for a variety of conditions. Temperatures in the summit area commonly range between 32 and 65 degrees F; wind-chill can dramatically drop the temperature below freezing at anytime of year. In Kipahulu, high temperatures are common but can drop quickly with the frequent rain showers. Intense sunlight, thick clouds, heavy rain, and high winds are possible at any time in either area of the park.

Health and Safety Concerns
Summit - The high altitude at the summit area may complicate health conditions and cause breathing difficulties. Pregnant women, young children, and those with respiratory or heart conditions should consult their doctors prior to traveling to high elevations. To help avoid major safety concerns, be sure to walk slowly at high elevation, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, and check in often with elderly friends or relatives to make sure they're doing okay. Turn back and seek medical aid if you have health concerns.

Kipahulu - There is no drinking water available. Visitors should bring mosquito repellent. Dangerous flash floods do occur - check at the visitor center before entering the water.

Report accidents, violations, and unusual incidents to park staff. Prohibited activities include: hunting, use of firearms, rollerblading, skateboarding, or disturbing any natural or cultural features. Bicycles are restricted to paved roads and parking areas.

Food and Supplies
There are no facilities to purchase food, gasoline, or supplies in the park. There is no drinking water at Kipahulu. The towns of Kahului, Pukalani (17 miles from the summit area), and Hana (10 miles from the Kipahulu area) have limited stores and outfitters.

Accessibility
In the summit area the following facilities are wheelchair accessible: Park Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakala Visitor Center, and Hosmer Grove picnic area. Accessible restrooms are located at Haleakala Visitor Center, Kalahaku Overlook, Park Headquarters Visitor Center, and Hosmer Grove. Accessible water fountains can be found at Park Headquarters Visitor Center, and Haleakala Visitor Center. The summit building is accessible, with assistance, via a steep ramp. Park trails are currently unpaved and not suitable for wheelchair use. For the hearing-impaired, a script is available for a backcountry slide orientation program at Park Headquarters Visitor Center and Haleakala Visitor Center.

In the Kipahulu area, there are accessible parking spaces and restrooms near the visitor center. The only paved portion of trail leads to the visitor center. At this time the trails leading to the pools and the forest are muddy, steep, and rocky. Access beyond the paved trail is difficult for wheelchairs or for persons requiring assistance.

Fees
An admission fee of $10.00 per vehicle is charged at the park entrances. Bicyclists, motorcyclists, and hikers on foot are charged $5.00 each. At this time, credit cards are not accepted. Keep your receipt since the entrance fee is good for seven days in both the Kipahulu and summit areas of the park. For information on annual passes, commercial fees, or special passes, click the admission fee link above.

Accommodations
Wilderness camping, car-access camping and wilderness cabins are available in the summit area, and car- access camping is available in the Kipahulu area.

Other Concessions and Opportunities
Several private companies operate tours within the park. They include downhill biking on the park road, horseback tours of the wilderness, and guided hikes. Check the yellow pages of the Maui phone book, the activities desks at hotels and resorts, or consult the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau for information.

Contact Information
WRITE TO:
Haleakala National Park
P.O. Box 369
Makawao, Maui, HI 96768
PHONE:
Visitor Information and Headquarters - 808 572-4400, Kipahulu - 808 248-7375.
E-MAIL:
hale_interpretation@nps.gov

Other Helpful Sites for Planning a Trip to Haleakala
Some of the links we provide connect with non-National Park Service Web sites (non-NPS). We provide these links as a service to potential park visitors in search of more information. Use your browser's BACK button to return to this page.

National Parks & Historic Sites in Hawai'i

State and County Parks on Maui

Please contact the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau for general information on accommodations, transportation and activities in Hawai'i and on Maui.