Overview

Haleakalā delivers two parks in one: a Mars-like volcanic crater at 10,023 feet and a lush coastal rainforest zone near Hana. The summit sunrise is legendary (and requires advance reservations), but the real payoff is hiking into the crater itself: seven miles of otherworldly cinder cones and endemic silverswords. The catch: 732K annual visitors create serious congestion (8.4/10), and the summit's extreme altitude hits harder than you expect. Most tourists snap a sunrise photo and leave; the backcountry stays empty.

When to Go

The sweet spot is July — good weather meets manageable crowds. Peak season hits in May.

Warmest temps, driest conditions, and moderate crowds. Best month overall. Sliding Sands Trail is fully dry and accessible.

Monthly crowd levels — click a month for details

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F
M
A
M
J
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A
S
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Low Moderate High Peak

Seasonal Closures

Crater Rim Road: May have temporary closures due to snow, ice, or high winds

How Busy Is It?

How Haleakalā compares to all 62 national parks

Busier than 90% of national parks

QuietBusy
Very Busy

More crowded trails than 84% of parks

QuietBusy
Very Busy

Higher campsite pressure than 75% of parks

EasyTough
Very Busy
How this park ranks

Annual visitors per trail mile

LowestHighest

Annual visitors per campsite

LowestHighest

Notable Trails

Haleakalā has more trail mileage than 15% of national parks, with 29.2 miles across 20 maintained trails.

The difficulty split leans moderate to strenuous; only 25% of trails are rated easy.

Easy 25%Moderate 45%Strenuous 30%
A hiker walks a trail between two red and yellow cinder cones.

Strenuous Hike Across the Crater Floor

strenuous
11.2 mi·7-9 hours hrs
a rocky trail follows a ridgeline surrounded by shrubs.

Moderate Hike to the Crater Edge

moderate_strenuous
1.1 mi·1,400 ft gain·1-2 hours hrs
A trail leads down into a colorful volcanic valley.

Moderate Hike into Haleakalā's Crater

moderate
1 mi·1-2 hours hrs
A canopy of bamboo rises from the left and right blocking out the blue sky above.

Moderate Hike up to the Bamboo Forest

moderate
1 mi·1 hours hrs
View all 17 trails

Camping

4 campgrounds with 28 total sites. All sites require reservations.

A gray tent is pitched next to a grill and picnic table. Tall shrubs and grass line the area.

Hosmer Grove CampgroundReservable

6 sites·$5/night·Seasonal
A green tent is pitched next to a raised grill on a grassy area. Trees cast some shade from behind.

Kīpahulu CampgroundReservable

9 sites·$8/night·Seasonal
a rustic building with tall cliff and greenery surrounding picnic table in foreground

Wilderness CabinsReservable

3 sites·$30/night·Seasonal
orange tent set up in grassy area with mist and clouds in background

Wilderness Tent SitesReservable

10 sites·$30/night·Seasonal

Top Activities

Haleakalā excels at 8 of 17 activity types — here are the standouts rated 7/10 or higher.

Photography

10/10

Volcanic crater, sunrise views, diverse ecosystems

Hiking

9/10

20 trails from short crater rim walks to strenuous crater descents

Scenic Driving

9/10

Summit road with numerous scenic pullouts and viewpoints

Backpacking

8/10

Crater backcountry camping and valley wilderness experiences

Stargazing

8/10

Above the clouds with minimal light pollution; exceptional high-altitude stargazing

Swimming

7/10

Pools and streams in Kīpahulu Valley area

Bird Watching

7/10

Endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers and seabirds

Ranger Programs

7/10

Ranger talks, guided hikes, and cultural programs

Who It's For

Photographers10/10Couples9/10Experienced Hikers9/10International Visitors9/10Families Teens8/10Solo Travelers8/10First Time Park Visitors8/10Adventure Seekers8/10

Planning Your Trip

Getting There

Nearest city: Honolulu, HI (100 mi). Fly into OGG.

In-Park Services

No gas in park ·Lodging available · Cell: limited

Gateway Town

Kahului, HI, full amenities

Featured In ?Rankings based on data-driven scoring across all 62 national parks.

#10Best National Parks for Winter

Stories

6 National Parks You Can Visit Any Time of YearSix national parks where April hits the sweet spot: spring wildlife active, winter crowds cleared, and summer heat still weeks away10 Short National Park Trails That Pack Serious ElevationTen trails that deliver serious elevation in small packages, from Denali climbs to vertical shortcuts you'll pay for on the way back8 National Parks Anyone Can Enjoy From the CarEight parks where the views from your windshield rival the trails, and April is the perfect time to visit them allThe 8 Most Crowded National Parks (and When to Go Instead)The eight most crowded national parks, ranked by density, and the exact month to visit each one without the bottleneck3 National Parks That Stay Cool in SummerThree national parks where March means mild temps, thin crowds, and no need to wait for summer8 National Parks That Stay Cool in SummerEight national parks where June means cool air, open roads, and crowds that haven't peaked yet8 National Parks Where You Can Still See GlaciersEight parks where ice still carves mountains, from roadside glaciers in Alaska to Nevada's unlikely alpine surprise7 National Parks Shaped by FireSeven parks where volcanoes and geothermal systems still reshape the ground beneath your boots8 National Parks for a Couples GetawayEight national parks where April delivers solitude, moderate weather, and landscapes that reward slow mornings and long conversations10 best summit hikes under 5 miles in the national parksTen legitimate summits in under five miles, all in Acadia. Granite domes, Atlantic views, and no all-day commitment required8 national parks with the best sunrise viewsEight national parks where sunrise delivers something you can't get at noon, ranked by geology, elevation, and accessibility8 parks where the drive in is half the adventureEight parks where the road in delivers drama before you leave the car, from glaciers to canyons to volcanic craters

Gateway Cities

Honolulu, HI152 mi / 2.8h drive

Compare Haleakalā

See how Haleakalā stacks up against other national parks — crowds, trails, and more.

Compare Haleakalā

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Haleakalā National Park?

The best month to visit Haleakalā is July, based on a balance of weather, crowds, and accessibility. Peak visitation is in May. The park has 12 comfortable months for visiting.

How crowded is Haleakalā National Park?

Haleakalā is very crowded, with a congestion index of 8.4/10. The park receives 732K visitors annually across 45.5 square miles.

How many trails does Haleakalā National Park have?

Haleakalā has 29 miles of trails across 5 easy, 9 moderate, and 6 strenuous routes. Popular trails include Crater Rim Trail, Sliding Sands Trail (Keoneheʻe Trail), Hosmer Grove Trail.

Can you camp at Haleakalā National Park?

Yes, Haleakalā has 4 campgrounds with 28 total sites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served.

Is Haleakalā National Park open year-round?

Yes, Haleakalā is open year-round, though some roads and facilities may close seasonally. The park's climate is classified as volcanic_alpine_subtropical.

Nearby Parks

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park105 mi away
Redwood National and State Parks2355 mi away
Pinnacles National Park2367 mi away