Camping Near Haleakala National Park
Hawaii | Established 1916
About Haleakala National Park
Haleakala National Park spans two districts on Maui: the Summit District with the massive volcanic crater at 10,023 feet and the coastal Kipahulu District with tropical pools and waterfalls. Two campgrounds serve the park. Hosmer Grove Campground in the Summit District sits at 6,800 feet with 6 drive-in sites (free, first-come, first-served) offering picnic tables, grills, water, and pit toilets. Kipahulu Campground near the coast has 6 tent sites (free, first-come) with picnic tables, grills, and pit toilets but no drinking water.
Both campgrounds have a three-night maximum stay per 30-day period. The summit area experiences cold temperatures year-round with nighttime lows in the 30s and 40s even in summer. Sunrise viewing at the summit requires a separate reservation ($1/vehicle) through Recreation.gov. The Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District leads 2 miles through bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls. No food, fuel, or supplies are available inside either district.
Camping Tips for Haleakala
- Both campgrounds are free and first-come, first-served with a three-night maximum per 30-day period. Hosmer Grove (6 sites) at the summit and Kipahulu (6 sites) on the coast fill early during peak season.
- Summit temperatures drop to the 30s and 40s at night year-round. Bring a warm sleeping bag rated to at least 30 degrees, layers, and wind protection even in summer.
- Sunrise viewing at the summit requires a separate $1 vehicle reservation through Recreation.gov, released 60 days in advance. Reservations sell out within minutes of opening.
- Kipahulu Campground has no drinking water. Bring all water and supplies. The nearest services are in Hana, about 10 miles away on the winding Hana Highway.
- No food, fuel, or supplies are available in either district. Fill your tank and stock up in Kahului or Makawao before entering the Summit District, or in Hana for the Kipahulu District.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Haleakala National Park
1.Camp Olowalu
Camp Olowalu is a beachfront camping destination located on Maui's Olowalu Beach, offering a unique blend of outdoor adventure and relaxation. Originally established in 1955 as a...
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2.Ke'anae Uka
Ke‘anae Uka is a community campground and events facility located on the 9-acre Keanae Peninsula in East Maui. The property offers panoramic views of kalo patches, local farming,...
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3.HÅlua Campground
Haleakalā National Park is a United States National Park located on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The park is home to the Haleakalā volcano, which is a dormant shield volcano that...
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4.Kipahulu Campground
Kīpahulu Campground is located within Haleakalā National Park. The campground is situated in a lush tropical forest and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape....
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6.Palikū Campground
This park is not PalikÅ« Campground, but rather Haleakalā National Park. Unfortunately, the provided website content does not contain information about PalikÅ« Campground....
Show more7.WaiÊ»Änapanapa Campground
WaiÊ»Änapanapa Campground is a camping area located in Hawaii. Camping reservations for Hawaii State Parks are available at https://explore.ehawaii.gov. For Forest Reserve...
Show moreShowing 1–8 of 8 campgrounds within 30 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are inside Haleakala National Park?
Haleakala has two free campgrounds: Hosmer Grove (6 drive-in sites, 6,800 feet, water available) in the Summit District and Kipahulu Campground (6 tent sites, no water) in the coastal Kipahulu District. Both are first-come, first-served with a three-night limit per 30-day period.
Hosmer Grove sits near the park entrance road to the summit with picnic tables, grills, water, and pit toilets. The small size means it fills quickly on weekends and holidays. Kipahulu Campground is near the Pools of Oheo and Pipiwai Trail, with picnic tables, grills, and pit toilets but no drinking water. Both campgrounds are tent-friendly but can accommodate small campervans. No RV hookups or dump stations exist in the park.
Do I need a reservation to watch the sunrise at Haleakala?
Yes, a sunrise reservation ($1 per vehicle) is required for vehicles entering the Summit District between 3 AM and 7 AM. Reservations are released 60 days in advance on Recreation.gov and sell out within minutes. The reservation is in addition to the park entrance fee.
Set an alarm for exactly the time reservations open (the release time is listed on Recreation.gov). A limited number of last-minute reservations are released two days before each date. Sunset viewing does not require a reservation. The sunrise experience takes about two to three hours including the 30-minute drive from the park entrance to the summit. Temperatures at the summit are typically 30 to 50 degrees colder than at sea level.
How cold does it get at the summit campground?
Hosmer Grove at 6,800 feet experiences nighttime lows in the 30s and 40s year-round, with occasional dips below freezing. Daytime temperatures range from 50 to 65 degrees. Wind chill at the summit (10,023 feet) can drop temperatures 20 degrees below the air reading.
Bring a sleeping bag rated to at least 30 degrees, warm layers, a hat, and gloves. Rain is common at Hosmer Grove and can occur any time of year. The summit is above the cloud layer much of the time, so conditions change rapidly between sun, clouds, wind, and rain. Hypothermia is a real risk for unprepared visitors. The contrast with sea-level Maui temperatures surprises many visitors.
Can I bring my dog to Haleakala campgrounds?
Dogs are not allowed in either campground, on any trail, or in the backcountry. Leashed dogs are permitted only in parking lots and on paved roads. Hawaii's strict animal quarantine and native species protections drive these restrictions.
The park protects endangered Hawaiian species including the nene (Hawaiian goose) and silversword plants that are extremely sensitive to disturbance. No kennel services are available near the park. Service animals are permitted with documentation. For visitors traveling with dogs, pet boarding is available in Kahului and other Maui towns. Plan to visit the park while your dog stays at a boarding facility.
What is the Pipiwai Trail and how long is the hike?
The Pipiwai Trail is a 4-mile round trip hike in the Kipahulu District leading through bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls. The trail gains 650 feet in elevation and takes two to three hours. It passes a massive banyan tree and the Pools of Oheo (Seven Sacred Pools).
The trail is well-maintained but can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain. Sturdy footwear with traction is essential. Swimming at the base of Waimoku Falls is prohibited due to falling rock hazard. The Pools of Oheo below the trailhead may be closed during heavy rains due to flash flood danger. The bamboo forest section is dense and atmospheric. Start early to avoid afternoon crowds and rain. Bring water and snacks as no services are available at the trailhead.
What is the entrance fee for Haleakala?
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass covering both the Summit and Kipahulu districts. Motorcycles cost $25 and individual entry on foot or bicycle is $15. An annual Haleakala pass costs $55. The America the Beautiful pass ($80) also covers entry.
The seven-day pass begins on the date of purchase and allows unlimited entries to both districts. The Summit and Kipahulu districts are not connected by road within the park; driving between them takes about three hours via the Hana Highway. Entrance fees are collected at the Summit District entrance station and at the Kipahulu ranger station. The sunrise reservation ($1) is separate from the entrance fee.
How do I reach the Kipahulu District?
The Kipahulu District is reached via the Hana Highway (Highway 360/31), a winding 52-mile road from Kahului taking two to three hours each way. The road has over 600 curves and 50 one-lane bridges. There is no road connection between the Summit and Kipahulu districts within the park.
The Hana Highway requires careful driving and is not suitable for large RVs or trailers. Fuel up in Kahului or Paia before starting the drive. The town of Hana, 10 miles before the park, has a gas station, small grocery store, and restaurants. Some rental car companies restrict their vehicles on portions of the road past Hana. The Kipahulu District has no gas, food, or water. Allow a full day for the Kipahulu visit including driving time.
Can I hike into the Haleakala crater?
Yes, day hikers can enter the crater on the Sliding Sands (Keoneheehee) Trail and Halemau'u Trail. Sliding Sands descends 2,500 feet over 4 miles to the crater floor. Backcountry camping inside the crater requires a permit. Three wilderness cabins (by lottery) and two tent camping areas are available.
The crater is technically an erosional depression, not a volcanic caldera, spanning 7.5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. The Sliding Sands to Halemau'u traverse covers 11.2 miles and requires a car shuttle. Backcountry permits are available on Recreation.gov. Wilderness cabins sleep 12 and have bunks, water catchment, and a wood stove. The crater floor sits at about 6,900 feet with sparse vegetation and cinder cones. Altitude and sun exposure make crater hiking physically demanding.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $30/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- April – October
- Nearest Town
- Makawao, HI, Kula, HI, Hana, HI
- Elevation
- Sea level – 10,023 ft
- Park Size
- 33,265 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~1.2 million