Catching sunrise in Haleakala National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list adventure for many Maui visitors. I had heard about this incredible sight and knew I wanted to find a way to make it work during our 2021 Maui trip. When I started my planning, I came across a few essential details everyone should know before heading up the mountain.
Between safety considerations and the highly competitive sunrise reservation system, you need to have some advanced strategy to succeed. So if you want to visit Haleakala National Park at sunrise, here are my tips for pulling it off and having an epic adventure!
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MAKE A RESERVATION TO SEE THE HALEAKALA SUNRISE
You will not be able to enter Haleakala National Park for sunrise without a reservation. The National Park Service requires advance reservations to keep numbers under control. Sunrise at Haleakala is a top visitor attraction in Maui, so making reservations required for this unbelievable sight has made it more enjoyable. Unfortunately, there are only 150 sunrise tickets made available for each date.
Reservations are available 60 days in advance and sell out within the first second they are released. The reservations release daily at 7 am Hawaii time (which was 10 am for us in San Diego). Nobody is allowed in the park between 3-7 am without a sunrise reservation. Reservations are $1 per vehicle and non-refundable. The reservation fee does not include the National Park entrance fee of $30. You can pay that when entering or use your National Park pass to cover it.
Make sure the reservation holder is someone who will be with you, as your photo ID will be checked when entering the park. Once you secure your reservation, make sure you print your reservation confirmation email, as you will not be able to pull it up on your phone at the entrance booth due to a lack of cell service.
HOW DO I ACTUALLY GET A RESERVATION FOR HALEAKALA SUNRISE?
The information above is essential to understand, but I was disappointed to miss out day after day when I attempted to secure our reservations. I used the atomic clock to the second, was logged in to my account, and the site would even say there were tickets when I clicked. However, it would sit and spin and then suddenly say, “Sorry, there are no available tickets for this date.” I was disappointed because I wanted to see the Haleakala summit sunrise; my options were dwindling. When planning a week-long trip, you only have so many days available for this adventure.
RECREATION.GOV APP IS FASTER!
So here is my secret… the Recreation.gov app! The first day I tried the app over my computer, I was successful. I have read the app is faster when it comes to scoring sites at Yosemite, so I thought, why not try it here. And it was a total success! I have even used this strategy to score Haleakala sunrise reservations for other friends.
Here is the process I use to actually get a reservation for Haleakala summit sunrise! First, review these steps and photos in advance and set yourself up for success! Then, plan to implement the following 60 days in advance of the summit sunrise you want to see.
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO SECURE A HALEAKALA SUNRISE RESERVATION
- Download the Recreation.gov app
- Create an account or sign in to your account – make sure you are logged in BEFORE attempting a reservation
- Pull up the atomic clock website – confirm what time reservations are being released in your time zone (7 am HST = what time for you?) Soon you will also use the clock to count down the exact seconds to 7 am HST.
- Search “Haleakala National Park Summit Sunrise Reservations”
- Click “Enter Dates for Availability”
6. You will now sit on a screen with a blue button titled “Enter Dates.” Use the atomic clock to count down the seconds to 7 am HST. At 7 am HST, click the blue button to take you to the calendar.
7. Quickly scroll to your date, which will be light blue with an “A” for available inside of the square. Next, click the date on the calendar and click the blue “apply date” button at the bottom of the screen.
8. This returns you to the reservation page. Quickly click the blue button “Select Tickets” at the bottom of the screen where the “enter dates” button was.
9. Click “Book Now” at the bottom of your screen. The screen automatically defaults to 1 reservation as you can only have one reservation every three days.
10. Now you can take a deep breath! You have 15 minutes to secure your reservation. Then, click the blue “Proceed to Cart” button at the bottom of the screen.
11. Here is where you can update the Ticket Holder name if you are booking for someone else. You will also agree to the “Need to Know” information. Then, click “Proceed to Cart.”
12. Click “Proceed to Payment” and book your date with the $1 reservation fee. I suggest paying the $30 entrance fee at the gate (versus online) just in case you miss your reservation
VISITING HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK
Haleakala is the world’s largest dormant volcano and the tallest peak on Maui. Haleakala National Park is divided into the summit area and the Kipahulu area. The famous Haleakala sunrise is viewed from the summit area, while the famed bamboo forest is accessible from the Kipahulu area. You can read more about the highlights of the Kipahulu area here. As the third tallest peak in Hawaii, the summit of Haleakala is a perfect place to take in a Maui sunrise.
ENTRANCE FEES
As of 2022, the national park entrance fees are $30/vehicle and are valid for three days. You can confirm the current entrance fees here. If you have an annual park pass, make sure to pack it so you have it for your adventure. If you are booking a Haleakala sunrise ticket, you can pay your entrance fees with your sunrise reservation or wait to pay in person when you enter.
TIPS FOR YOUR HALEAKALA SUNRISE ADVENTURE
We had a great morning watching the Haleakala sunrise, and I want to make sure you do too! There is nothing more stunning than the rays from the rising sun pushing up and out of the clouds at eye level. So here are my tips for planning your best adventure!
TIMING YOUR HALEAKALA SUNRISE TRIP
You need to be aware of Maui sunrise hours on the date of your visit. Sunrise can vary from 5:30-7 am, depending on the time of year. I love to listen to the Maui recording from the National Weather Service at (808) 944 – 3756 (press 4 for Haleakala summit info) as it is current and updated daily. Not only do you get updated weather information, but you will get exact sunrise times for the day. It is important to realize that sunrise time refers to when the sun is above the horizon. So you need to be there at least an hour earlier. So much of the beauty in the sky during sunrise comes from the sun’s rays shining from the horizon behind the clouds.
It can take over two hours to drive to the entrance station from different parts of Maui, so you need to factor your driving time into your overall plan. You want to arrive early to take in the starry sky before sunset and secure parking in the small summit parking lot. Parking reservations do not secure a parking spot in the summit lot, but they let you in Haleakala National Park starting at 3 am. If you cannot park at the summit, head to the upper Visitor’s Center parking lot (9,740 feet above sea level).
OUR TIMING FROM KAPALUA
Since we stayed in Kapalua (West Maui), we planned for a three-hour drive time to be safe. However, our drive time was a little over 2 hours. We left around 2:45 am and arrived just after 5 am. Sunrise was at 6:17 am. We planned and had everything packed for our adventure. To keep the kids happy, we had their clothes packed and transferred them in their pajamas to their car seats with pillows to continue sleeping. We were able to park in the summit parking lot just after 4 am without a problem. Many people were roaming around the summit trails and stargazing from this stunning location over 10,000 feet from sea level.
DRIVING TO HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK
The drive to Haleakala from West Maui was quiet. When we started in the middle of the night, the roads were open. At the start of the drive, the moonlight shone on the beautiful ocean waters beside us. Once you come through the main town of Kahului, you start on the Hana Highway. After a short distance, you turn on the quiet Haleakala Highway. Make sure your gas tank is full, as there are no options in Haleakala for gas. As you come into Kula on the Haleakala Highway (Hwy 37), the brown National Park sign directs you towards the crater. The road is very windy, and during our visit, it was incredibly windy as well.
As we climbed the road towards the crater, there were points on the drive where my husband started to feel nervous. As you head towards Haleakala summit, you are gaining elevation at rapid rates in complete darkness and, in our case, very windy conditions. The 37 miles from sea level to the Haleakala summit is one of the world’s highest elevation gains in the shortest distance. As you wind back and forth, you feel like the slightest maneuver will send you right off the side of the cliff. It was very foggy, so we took the road slow and steady. You may see a sprinkle of headlights doing the same.
DRIVING HAZARDS IN HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK
The road to the Haleakala crater is one lane each way and very windy. When heading to and from the summit, remember to drive with caution. Be aware of cyclists, especially when leaving after the Haleakala sunrise. Several tour groups drop patrons to ride down Haleakala. Police are happy to give tickets out to those speeding through the park and around the entrance.
The Hawaiian Nēnē, the Hawaiian goose, is an endangered species found in the higher elevations of Haleakala National Park. When you arrive, you may be given a pledge to protect the endangered nēnē, which is also the state bird of Hawaii. This pledge asks you to slow down, safely control your car heading downhill, refrain from feeding the nēnē and stay away from these birds and their nests. It is important to drive slowly through the park to protect all wildlife that thrives in Haleakala National Park.
SAFETY DURING THE HALEAKALA SUMMIT SUNRISE
In addition to driving safety and inclement weather, it is essential to note the high altitude of Haleakala’s summit. Anybody in a sensitive population should be aware of the elevation changes that happen very quickly. If you or anybody in your party is pregnant, elderly, a young child, or anybody with respiratory problems, you should check with your doctor.
If you follow my blog, you know that my son has Cystic Fibrosis, and my daughter was only nine months old during this trip. We spoke to our pediatrician before our Hawaii trip about this adventure. Altitude sickness can hit hard, and it is crucial to be aware of the symptoms. Our kids did great, but my husband and I could feel the altitude. We were not sick, but we took our time to acclimate and did not do a lot of extra hiking after sunrise because of it.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE HALEAKALA SUMMIT SUNRISE
It is essential to consider your Haleakala sunrise adventure when packing for your Maui trip. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged, as you will undoubtedly want pictures. You also may want to use it as a flashlight when you first arrive in the dark. Or consider a small keychain flashlight as the terrain is rocky and feels like the middle of a Star Wars scene.
WARM CLOTHING FOR SUNRISE
Due to the high elevation, the Haleakala crater and summit are very cold. Dress warmly to prepare for this change. A good rule of thumb is to plan a 30° difference from sea level to the summit. You are high in the sky above the clouds when you get to the top. There will be wind as well, which makes everything feel colder. Wear warm clothes and more layers than you think you may want. We had jackets and beanies in our Maui packing for this adventure and brought blankets from our VRBO to help stay warm while watching the sunrise. The last thing you want is to make it up on time and be miserable because you are cold.
As the sun rises, the day will begin to warm up. So if you are planning to stay and enjoy hiking or an additional Haleakala tour, make sure to have layers on so you are not uncomfortable. Always check the weather to get an idea of current conditions.
BREAKFAST & SNACKS FOR SUNRISE
There is no food available inside Haleakala National Park, so come prepared with snacks, especially when traveling with kids. We left so early in the morning that we did not want to eat before we headed out. However, we had prepared a small breakfast cooler the night before that we could quickly grab in the morning. Once we parked at the summit, we took time to stay warm and have a picnic breakfast of yogurt, fruit, and granola. The on-the-go breakfast also gave time for everyone to relax and acclimate to the altitude for a bit before walking around.
After sunrise, we had snacks before checking out the visitor center and Haleakala crater. I highly recommend doing the same. But again, nothing crushes fun like hungry kids and stressed parents that cannot find something to eat.
WHERE TO WATCH THE SUNRISE
HALEAKALA SUMMIT
We watched the sunrise from the wall around the Red Hill Observatory, the highest elevation in the park. The summit of Haleakala sits at 10, 023 feet above sea level. This was a perfect place for sunrise. The wall on Maui’s highest peak served as a seat, and the rolling clouds and sun rays were right in front of us. Due to the 360° views, this is also a great spot to watch the sunset. If you cannot watch sunrise or sunset from here, make a point to stop by during your visit to Haleakala National Park.
HALEAKALA VISITOR CENTER
If you cannot park in the summit parking lot, the Haleakala Visitor Center has a more extensive parking area and a beautiful view. You can walk to the Sliding Sands trail or the railing around the crater from the visitors center parking area. Although you will not have the 360° views from the Red Hill Observatory area on the summit, you can watch the sunrise over the crater at 9,740ft. There are also 24-hour restrooms in this location. This is also the stop for many commercial Haleakala sunrise tour buses, as they are not permitted to park in the summit parking lot.
HALEAKALA SUNRISE TOUR OPTIONS
There are many different tour options to enhance your Haleakala sunrise adventure. If you do not have a rental car or feel uncomfortable driving, consider a Haleakala sunrise tour that picks you up at your hotel and handles all of the details! Not only will you experience the sun rising above the clouds, but many of the sunrise tour itineraries give you a taste of upcountry Maui before heading back to your hotel.
SHAKA GUIDES – SELF-GUIDED ADVENTURES
We love the flexibility our rental car gives our family, but we also love the information from a tour guide. I discovered Shaka Guides during our road to Hana planning and loved them! In our new COVID world, they bring the benefit of a guided tour into your vehicle. They are fantastic for our family because they keep us entertained and engaged while still controlling the drive.
Instead of an actual guidebook, Shaka Guides provides self-guided audio tours through an app for specific adventures in Hawaii. Like all of the Maui adventures, the Sunrise Tour at Haleakala gives you a wealth of information about Haleakala through engaging storytelling, history, and music. If sunrise seems too ambitious, consider the Sunset and Stargazing Tour for an unforgettable stargazing experience.
BICYCLE TOURS
Looking for a unique sunrise tour of Haleakala that your family will remember? Consider a bicycle tour to quench your thirst for adventure. I did this as a teenager with my family, and it was unbelievable! We used Bike Maui and had an incredible time. They provide transportation up to the crater to view the sunrise and then set you up to bike 23 miles down the hill. You start just outside Haleakalā National Park at 6,500 feet once the sun is shining and the island’s colors are vibrant. The view is incredible and one you will remember for a lifetime.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER HALEAKALA SUNRISE?
After viewing the stunning Haleakala sunrise, take a few minutes to watch the sun paint the colors of the Mars-like landscape around you. A few small trails surrounding the summit give you different views of the island. Maui is nicknamed the “Valley Isle,” and the colors begin to pop after the sun comes up!
On your drive down the volcano, take time to soak up the view from a few stopping points. If you are interested in hiking, several popular trails are worth checking out.
VISITOR CENTERS
Haleakala National Park’s summit area has two main visitor centers. The Park Headquarters Visitor Center is located at 7,000 feet just after the entrance to Haleakala National Park. This is a great place to explore and learn more about the park. Stamp your National Park Passport and pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet. These can be turned in later in the day, by mail, or during a visit to the Kipahulu area of the park. If you follow my blog, you know I love everything Junior Ranger. This makes for a fun (and free) Maui souvenir.
The upper visitor center is home to the park store and a sunrise destination for many visitors. The building is small and only open in the morning. However, bathrooms are available 24 hours a day, and the views from the parking area are stunning! Many of the most popular trails start from this area as well. Take some time to wander and check out the views from the elevation of 9,740ft.
SLIDING SANDS TRAIL
During my planning, I was excited to check out the cinder cones of Haleakala from this trail that walks right into the middle of the crater floor! This 11-mile hike starts by the visitor center and has no shade. However, you can take 15-minutes or so to walk in a bit and right back out. I felt a little light-headed from the altitude, so we skipped this with the kids. Due to the high elevation, the air is thinner. It is essential to be aware of this change when hiking. However far you choose to journey, this trail gives you an incredible, up-close view of the crater’s details, like cinder cones and lava rocks.
PA KA’OAO TRAIL & OVERLOOK
Also leaving from the visitor center, this .2-mile trail takes you up a small hill to overlook the Haleakala crater. The walk was short, but we were struggling with the altitude, so we could not take in these incredible views.
KALAHAKU OVERLOOK
The Kalahaku Overlook is located between mile markers 18 and 19 at 9,324 feet and provides stunning crater views. You can even see the hikers crossing through the Mars-like landscape on the Sliding Sands Trail. There is also a restroom here.
LELEIWI OVERLOOK
This overlook is an easy stop on your way down after sunrise. Between mile markers 17 & 18, the Leleiwi Overlook offers more stunning Haleakala and North Maui views. A small wind shelter that makes the overlook enjoyable on cold, windy mornings. Leleiwi Overlook is also a great place to watch the sunset on Haleakala.
AFTER YOUR HALEAKALA VISIT
One perk of your sunrise reservation is that you are out and about early! So plan to enjoy more of Haleakala National Park or check out some of our favorite places in Upcountry and South Maui. You can even head back up the mountain later in the day for sunset!
MORE MAUI IDEAS
If you are looking for more Maui inspiration, check out my other posts about our favorite Road to Hana stops, the black sand beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park, and the bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail.
Have you seen the sunrise from Haleakala? Did the Recreation.gov app get you your sunrise pass? I hope this information helps you have an unforgettable experience!
