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Driving up to the summit of Haleakala National Park is one of the most memorable things you can do while in Maui.
I loved driving up to the summit, but there were definitely some surprises — like how cold it was and how many bicyclists were zooming down the side of the road.
Here’s what you should look out for on your drive to Haleakala summit, and how you can be prepared so you don’t miss anything on this incredible drive.
Getting to Haleakala Summit
Can You Drive to the Summit?
Yes, you can drive up Haleakala summit. The drive takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, one way, depending on where you are coming from on the island.
How Is the Drive?
It’s a long drive, but there are several stops you can make to break up the drive.
The drive is curvy as it goes up the mountain, but it’s not dangerous. The roads are well paved and in good condition.
The drive is easier to do than the road to Hana.
Is It Necessary to Rent a Car?
If you plan to drive yourself, then yes, definitely. Book a rental car as far in advance as possible as Maui is fairly small and many rental car companies had to consolidate during the pandemic.
What about Biking Down Haleakala?
Biking down Haleakala is a popular activity, and you’ll see many bicyclists doing just that. You don’t have to bike up the hill if you don’t want to as many biking tour companies help you bypass that part.
You’ll meet your tour company somewhere at the bottom (usually at their office), then you’ll be driven up.
Recommended Tour Companies to Bike Down Haleakala
Tips for Visiting the Summit District of Haleakala National Park
It’s cold, so bring a jacket. Haleakala is over 10,000 feet elevation, so it’s cold and windy up there! Bring a jacket and comfortable shoes. One person in our party didn’t want to leave the car because of how cold it was. Be prepared!
Fuel up. You’ll be doing a lot of driving no matter where you’re coming from on the island. Fill up your gas tank before heading out.
Pay the entry fee by credit card. The entry fee is $30 per vehicle, unless you have an annual pass. If you plan to visit more than three national parks in a year, definitely get an America the Beautiful pass to save money.
Set out early. The park is open 24 hours, daily. Set out early to make the most of your day.
Get a sunrise reservation. If you plan to arrive before sunrise (or between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.), you will need a reservation. (There are no reservations required to watch the sunset.)
Watch out for bicyclists and wildlife. The Hawaiian goose nene are often spotted on the road as are the many downhill bicyclists. Stay alert while driving to the summit, and go slow. It’s not a race.
Stops to Make on the Drive to Haleakala Summit
On your drive to Haleakala summit, don’t rush, as there are things to do along the journey. I’d suggest stopping at these awesome places and overlooks on the way to the Summit District.
How long to spend on a visit to the summit? You can easily spend all day up at the summit. However, you can also shorten your trip by not hiking, just driving to the summit and stopping at overlooks only.
1. Maui Tea Farm
If you love tea, then you’ll be excited to see the signs for Maui Tea Farm on the way to Haleakala summit.
You can reserve a tour of the tea farm or simply wander the shop and gardens. There’s a walkway covered in wisteria that is just magical (when blooming in spring).
You can try samples of tea inside the shop and even buy a few packs to take home.
2. Zipline
Next door to the tea farm is a ziplining company called Skyline Hawaii. They offer several different zipline packages, which look really fun!
3. Kula Lodge and Gardens
On your way up or down the summit, be sure to stop at Kula Lodge for a meal. There are huge windows in the restaurant offering amazing views.
Don’t skip dessert: They serve Maui Pie for dessert, so try to get a slice before they sell out for the day.
Explore the gardens: After your meal, head out into the gardens and walk around a bit. You’ll find a beautiful array of tropical plants and flowers with incredible views of Maui below.
Browse the gift shop: Near the parking lot, on the other side of the property, you’ll find the gift shop with a great selection of souvenirs.
Stops to Make in the Summit District of Haleakala National Park
4. Visitor Center and Hike Pa Ka’oao
Length: 0.4 miles, round trip
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Once you are nearing the summit, you’ll find the visitor center. It’s a small building with a few souvenirs for purchase. You can also pick up informational brochures here or talk to a national park ranger.
Nearby there is a short half-mile hike called Pa Ka’oao. On the trail, you’ll be able to see the crater.
5. Puʻuʻulaʻula, Red Hill, the Highest Point of Haleakala
Keep driving to reach the highest point at the Summit Observation Deck, which reaches 10,023 feet in elevation. Here you’ll see 360-degree views of Maui below, weather permitting. You’re higher than the clouds at this point.
The elevation is quite high atop Haleakala so it feels much colder than the beaches below.
Is Haleakala crater worth it? Yes, it’s definitely worth it to visit the Haleakala crater. The views are incredible.
6. Kalahaku and/or Leleiwi Overlooks
On your drive up or down the summit, stop by one of the overlooks for a quick walk to see incredible views of the island below. There are small parking lots at both overlooks for you to pull over and park. Views can be shrouded by clouds or inclement weather.
7. Sliding Sands Trail
Length: 11 miles, round trip
Elevation gain: 2,000 feet
The Sliding Sands Trail (Keonehe‘ehe‘e Trail) will take you down into the crater. It’s an 11-mile round trip hike that can take all day, if you let it. However you can shorten the hike as there are various points of interests on this trail, and you can turn back at any point.
The hike begins at the Haleakala Visitor Center parking lot, at the Keonehe‘ehe‘e Trailhead.
- First overlook — 0.5 miles into the trail, you’ll reach the first overlook.
- Crater floor — 3.9 miles into the trail, you’ll reach the crater floor.
- Pele’s Paint Pot and the Bottomless Pit — About 5.7 miles into the trail, you’ll reach the end of this trail (before you’ll have to turn around), near the Halāli’i cinder cone and Kawilinau, a volcanic pit.
8. Hosmer Grove
Hosmer Grove contains both native and non-native trees. There’s a half-mile trail here to take you through the various trees. You may be able to spot a honeycreeper bird here; they are found nowhere else on earth.
How to See the Sunset or Sunrise at Haleakala Summit
We visited the Summit of Haleakala at midday and enjoyed the views but you can also opt to visit the summit at either sunrise or sunset.
Sunrise: If you are going to the summit of Haleakala for sunrise (anytime between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.), you will need to make a reservation. Reservations can be made up to 60 days ahead of time, and a portion of tickets will be released 48 hours in advance.
Is there a way to get last minute reservations for Haleakala sunrise if the website is sold out? If the sunrise reservations are sold out, you can try to wait for the small portion of tickets that are released 48 hours before any particular day.
What to do after watching Haleakala sunrise? After watching the sunrise at Haleakala, head down to the Kula Lodge for breakfast. From there, you can decide if you’d like to do a hike or explore other areas of Haleakala.
Sunset: Drive up Haleakala at golden hour in order to watch the sunset. You don’t need a reservation. However, parking fills up fast, so you may need to go early to ensure you have somewhere to park.
Join a Group Tour for Sunset/Sunrise
If you don’t want to drive yourself to the summit, you can also join a group tour.
Interesting Facts About Haleakala National Park
Two Districts: Summit District and Kipahulu District
There are two districts in Haleakala National Park — the Summit District and Kipahulu District. They are separate from each other, with no direct road to/from the districts.
Elevation from 0 to 10,023 Feet
The lowest point in Haleakala National Park is sea level and the highest point reaches more than 10,000 feet. The huge park covers more than 30,000 acres.
“House of the Sun”
In Hawaiian, Haleakala means “House of the Sun.” In Hawaiian folklore, the crater at the summit of Haleakala was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui, who helped him slow the sun’s journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day in the summer.
An Active Volcano
While Haleakala is technically considered an active volcano, it hasn’t erupted in hundreds of years. However, in the last 30,000 years, it’s erupted numerous times, and it’s erupted at least 10 times in the last 1,000 years.
Where to Stay in Maui When Visiting Haleakala National Park
I’d recommend finding a hotel or condo in Kihei, Maui, as it’s a very central location, in the middle of the island, close to everything. It was very easy to do day trips to Hana and Haleakala while also being close to the beaches and the towns.
Where we stayed: We stayed in a condo on Sugar Beach (in Sugar Beach Resort) near Kihei Town and loved it. We were walking distance from an ABC Store and a farmers market as well as steps from the beach (plus there’s a pool).
Most of the condos in Sugar Beach Resort are short-term rentals. Some are ocean front, some are on the ground floor, most have one bedroom, some have two. Look through all the options and take your pick!
Recommended Hotels in Kihei, Maui:
What to Pack for Hawaii
Here are some of my favorite things I brought with me to Hawaii:
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Snorkel set
- Waterproof phone pouch (to take photos underwater)
- EPA-registered insect repellent. There are mosquitoes in Hawaii, and while it’s rare for one of them to be carrying a virus, it’s best to spray yourself with insect repellent regularly to prevent those pesky bites. Be sure to use an EPA-registered insect repellent that has one of 5 active ingredients recommended by the CDC. The EPA has a search tool to help you locate a registered, effective insect repellent. My recommendation for a natural option is to use the EPA-registered Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray, which uses oil of lemon eucalyptus as its active ingredient.
Favorite travel essentials
- I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
- I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
- I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
- I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
Map of Stops on the Road to Haleakala Summit
What to Know Before Traveling to Maui
There are four main islands where people live and visit in Hawaii — the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. I’ve heard the wonders of Hawaii all my life but never understood it until I visited for myself.
Every island is unique and beautiful in its own right. No matter which one you visit, you will leave inspired and in awe. Here are some things to know before you go in order to be a respectful traveler.
Is Hawaii Suffering from Overtourism?
Yes, quite simply. There’s been numerous articles recently about how Hawaii is suffering from overtourism due to a post-pandemic travel boom, affecting its residents.
Some ways to help are to postpone your travel plans to Hawaii, visit one of the less-visited islands (such as the Big Island or Kauai), and/or visit during the low season (avoiding the summer and any school breaks).
You can also help by supporting local Hawaiian businesses (not corporations) and taking part in cultural classes or activities while in Hawaii.
How to Respect Hawaii as a Visitor
Hawaii is a beautiful place — and the Hawaiian government and citizens do an amazing job at preserving the beauty. Did you know billboards are banned in the state of Hawaii in order to maintain natural beauty? As a visitor, please help contribute to these preservation efforts.
- Before traveling to any Hawaiian island, become familiar with how to be a respectful and responsible traveler to the islands and pledge to travel pono.
- Learn about the Hawaiian history and culture.
- Protect the oceans by not littering, reducing plastic use, and wearing reef-safe sunscreen (Hawaii is the first U.S. state to ban coral-harming chemicals in sunscreen).
- If hiking, don’t go off the trail and follow all signs and rules in place.
- And most importantly, be kind! Have your best attitude when interacting with other people on the island, both locals and travelers alike. It’s actually a law in Hawaii — the law of aloha “is the coordination of mind and heart” and each person must “think and emote good feelings to others.” So while in Hawaii, do as the locals do, and live aloha.
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Hawaii
Maui
Kauai
Big Island
- 7-Day Big Island Itinerary: How to Spend a Week on the Big Island of Hawaii
- 18 Best Things to Do on Big Island of Hawaii
All Islands
Maui is beautiful!! Great tips of places to see and things to do ! I will be sure to buy reef safe sunscreen as well thanks