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A three-day vehicle pass to Haleakalā costs $30, granting 24-hour access to both park districts year-round. Reaching the 10,023-foot summit between 3:00 am and 7:00 am requires an additional $1 advance reservation.
Haleakalā National Park operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Vehicle entry to the summit between 3:00 am and 7:00 am strictly requires a pre-booked reservation. Visitor centers maintain separate daytime schedules, and heavy rain frequently closes the coastal Pools of ʻOheʻo to swimming.
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| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 hours | Headquarters Visitor Center operates 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Kīpahulu Visitor Center operates 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. |
Haleakalā National Park never closes for public or national holidays. The government waives the $30 vehicle entrance fee on specific dates like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Veterans Day, and the NPS Birthday. Visitors entering for sunrise on these dates must still pay the $1.00 reservation fee.
Standard entry to Haleakalā National Park costs $30 per private vehicle and grants access to both the Summit and Kīpahulu Districts for three days. Motorcyclists pay $25, while pedestrians and bicyclists pay $15. Entering the Summit District between 3:00 am and 7:00 am requires an additional $1 vehicle reservation booked online.
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| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Private Vehicle (up to 14 passengers) | $30.00 | Valid for 3 days in both districts |
| Motorcycle | $25.00 | Valid for 3 days in both districts |
| Pedestrian or Bicyclist | $15.00 | Valid for 3 days in both districts |
| Sunrise Vehicle Reservation | $1.00 | Required 3:00 am to 7:00 am via Recreation.gov |
| Hawaii Tri-Park Annual Pass | $55.00 | Valid for one year |
| America the Beautiful Annual Pass | $80.00 | Covers all federal recreation sites |
Entrance fees are waived on select days including MLK Day, Veterans Day, and National Public Lands Day, but the $1 sunrise reservation fee still applies.
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View All ToursSummer months deliver the most stable conditions for hiking Haleakalā, keeping the 10,023-foot summit clear of thick cloud walls and freezing hail. Sunrise and sunset draw the heaviest crowds, filling parking lots to capacity hours in advance. Bypass the peak rush by arriving mid-morning or watching the dawn from the less-crowded Kalahaku Overlook.
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| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-dawn (03:00–07:00) | High | Vehicle reservations are strictly required to access the summit and watch the dawn break over the 11.25-mile-wide crater. |
| Mid-morning (08:00–12:00) | Moderate | Temperatures begin to rise, creating clear visibility for hiking the red cinder of the Sliding Sands Trail. |
| Afternoon (12:00–16:00) | Low | Thick clouds often blanket the summit during these hours, significantly reducing visibility and dropping temperatures. |
| Sunset (16:00–19:00) | High | Arrive two to three hours early to secure a parking spot before the sun drops below the cloud layer. |
| Night (19:00–00:00) | Low | The total lack of light pollution at 10,023 feet provides clear views of the Milky Way and distant nebulae. |
Plan for four to five hours to explore either the Summit District or the coastal Kīpahulu District. Touring both non-contiguous areas in a single trip requires at least eight hours. Total time spent depends heavily on whether you hike deep into the crater on the Sliding Sands Trail or stick to short walks at paved overlooks.
Reserve your $1.00 sunrise vehicle pass exactly 60 days in advance on Recreation.gov at 7:00 am HST. This ticket is strictly required to pass the gates between 3:00 am and 7:00 am. A smaller batch of tickets drops two days prior for last-minute travelers.
Dress for freezing temperatures and howling winds at the 10,023-foot summit. The air here runs 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit colder than at sea level. Bring a heavy jacket, long pants, a beanie, and gloves.
Fill your gas tank in Pukalani, located 18 miles away, before starting the steep ascent. The park contains absolutely no gas stations or food concessions. Running out of fuel on the Haleakalā Highway leaves you stranded in areas with zero cell phone service.
Skip the early morning queues and visit at sunset, which requires no reservation. Park at the main summit lots two to three hours early to secure a space. Pull into the 9,324-foot Kalahaku Overlook if the main lots reach capacity.
Summer months offer the most stable conditions for clear stargazing and dry hiking. Winter brings bone-chilling hail, freezing rain, and thick cloud walls that completely block visibility. Heavy rain during these wet months routinely forces the closure of the coastal Pools of ʻOheʻo.
Yes, you must have a vehicle reservation to enter the Summit District between 3:00 am and 7:00 am. Tickets cost $1.00 per vehicle on Recreation.gov. Book exactly 60 days in advance at 7:00 am HST, or try for the smaller batch released two days prior.
Standard entry costs $30.00 per private vehicle, $25.00 per motorcycle, and $15.00 for pedestrians or cyclists. This pass grants access to both the Summit and Kīpahulu Districts for three days. The Hawaii Tri-Park Annual Pass is $55.00, while the America the Beautiful pass costs $80.00.
Haleakalā remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visitor center hours vary. The Headquarters Visitor Center operates from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Haleakalā Visitor Center opens at sunrise and closes at noon, and Kīpahulu Visitor Center runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
No food outlets, restaurants, or gas stations exist anywhere inside either district. Fill your tank in Pukalani, 18 miles away, or Paʻia, 45 miles out, before attempting the steep climb. Pack a cooler with all necessary meals and fill water bottles at the visitor centers.
Summer months provide the driest, most stable weather for hiking the 30 miles of wilderness trails. Winter brings extreme conditions, including freezing rain, hail, and thick cloud walls that ruin visibility. Heavy wet-season rains frequently force the closure of the Pools of ʻOheʻo in the coastal district.
Exploring either the Summit or the Kīpahulu District takes four to five hours. Combining both non-contiguous areas into a single trip requires about eight hours of driving and sightseeing. Expect the winding, 38-mile drive from Kahului Airport to the summit to take up to two and a half hours.
Pack heavy winter layers, including a jacket, long pants, closed-toe shoes, a beanie, and gloves. Temperatures at the 10,023-foot peak drop 30 to 50 °F lower than sea level. High-altitude winds will chill you quickly if you arrive for sunrise in shorts and a t-shirt.
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