Wilderness Cabins

*Updated February 21, 2013*
Three wilderness cabins are maintained by the National Park Service for visitor use by advanced reservation. The wilderness cabins are accessible only by trail. To reach the cabins, you must hike a minimum of 3.7 miles (5.9km) to Hōlua, 5.5 miles (8.9km) to Kapalaoa, and 9.3 miles (15km) to Palikū.

Wilderness Cabin Rules & Regulations

The cabin permit is NON-TRANSFERABLE. The Permittee must be present on the entire trip and is legally responsible for the actions and safety of their group.

• Each person is limited to a maximum of 3 nights per 30-day period in wilderness area campsites and cabins, with no more than 2 nights at any one site.
  
• Maximum group size in the wilderness is 12 persons. Groups and/or organizations with more than 12 may not split into smaller groups. Please call for assistance in planning your backcountry experience.
  
• Groups may not reserve back-to-back reservations exceeding 3-nights.
  
• The Permittee must be an adult age 18 or older, must have a photo ID, and must accompany the group using a cabin.
  
• Wilderness Orientation: Each person staying in a cabin is required to watch an 8-minute orientation at Park Headquarters Visitor Center.
  
• Hōlua, Kapalaoa, and Palikū cabins have pit toilets and water available near the cabin. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking.
  
• Each cabin has a wood-burning stove with limited firewood, 2-burner propane stove, cooking utensils, dishes, and 12 padded bunks. In times of drought, cookware will be removed and you must pack in all your water.
  
• There is no electricity in the cabins. Bring plenty of warm clothes and sleeping bags.
  
• Hiking off designated trails or taking shortcuts is prohibited. Off-trail hiking causes erosion and damages fragile life forms.
  
• Bicycles and other wheeled transportation are not permitted. Horses and mules are permitted at Palikū and Hōlua.
  
• Quiet hours are 8pm to 8am. Please respect the privacy of others camping around you.
  
• Take a look at our suggested packing list.
  

SAFETY: It is the Permittee's responsibility to ensure that the members of their group are appropriately equipped and properly prepared for hiking at altitude and in extreme weather conditions (heavy rain, high winds), and can hike/backpack up to 10 miles one way to the reserved cabin(s).



Requesting a Cabin:

Each cabin is rented to only one group per night. A flat fee per night per cabin is charged. You may obtain a cabin reservation up to 90 days in advance online or over the phone by calling [phone] between the 1:00pm and 3:00pm Hawai'i Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

• You may make an online reservation 24-hours a day by going to the following website: https://fhnp.org/wcr. The wilderness cabins are operated by the National Park Service, though the website reservation system is operated in partnership with the Friends of Haleakalā National Park. Payments must be made by credit or debit card. Cash and checks are not accepted.
  
• If you are unable to make an online reservation, you may call [phone] between 1:00 and 3:00 pm Hawaiʻi Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Payments must be made by credit or debit card. Cash and checks are not accepted.
  
• Permit Pick-up: Your cabin permit must be picked up between Headquarters Visitor Center opening and 3:00 pm.

Costs & Cancellations:

There is a flat fee per night per cabin which accommodates up to 12 people.

Early Reservations (> 3 weeks) $ 75.00 per night

A $10 service fee per reservation night is charged for any changes to the reservation. Cancellations made more than 3 weeks in advance of reservation date will be refunded less the $10 service fee per night. Changes to reservations within 3 weeks is not permitted and any cancellations are non-refundable.

Reservations (< 3 weeks) $ 60.00 per night

When reserved within 3 weeks of night of stay, the fee is non-refundable and the reservation cannot be changed.

Refunds

Partial refunds are provided to Permittees who cancel more than 21 days in advance of their first reservation night. Refunds are NOT given to Permittees for weather unless the National Park Service has closed the park and/or wilderness area.

Hōlua Cabin, the closest cabin, lies at 6,940 feet (2,115 meters) in the shrubland near Koʻolau Gap, 3.7 miles down the Halemauʻu Trail or 7.4 miles down Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail. Visitors staying at Hōlua can enjoy day hikes into the central Wilderness Area. The landscape around Hōlua supports a native shrubland which colonized the lava flows. There is also a campground at Hōlua.

Kapalaoa Cabin, 5.5 miles down the Keoneheʻeheʻe or 7.3 miles from Halemauʻu Trailhead, lies at the base of the cliffs on the south side of the valley. The view from Kapalaoa takes in brightly colored cinder cones, subalpine plants, and dramatic cliffs. In the spring and summer months, the endangered ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel) can occasionally be heard and seen near the high cliffs. This cabin lies at 7,250 feet (2,210 meters). There is no campsite near Kapalaoa cabin.

Palikū Cabin, at 6,380 feet (1,945 meters), is at the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. The cabin is reached via a strenuous 9.3-mile hike on Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail, 10.1 miles on Halemauʻu Trail, or 8.6 miles up the Kaupō Trail. Clouds and fog often roll over the top of the cliffs behind Palikū. The extra moisture makes this spot exceptionally cool and lush. There is also a campground at Palikū.

Visiting the Haleakalā Wilderness is a wonderful opportunity to see native Hawaiian wildlife. As Nēnē (Hawaiian goose) are often seen near the cabins, please enjoy watching them and other wildlife from a distance.