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Haleakala National Park
Maui, Hawaii

Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui has two main sections. Activities and attractions in the summit section are focused around the crater at the top of the dormant Haleakala Volcano and the lower section is focused around the lush, tropical lower Kipahulu Valley on the coast of Maui.

Haleakala National Park Maui

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Photos of Haleakala National Park
Pictures of the summit area and the coastal section of Haleakala National Park. Includes pictures of the inside of the crater, pictures of the lush, tropical Oheo Gulch area, and photos of other attractions in the park.

Camping in Haleakala National Park
There are four campgrounds in Haleakala park. Two of them are accessible by car and two can only be reached by hiking trail. There are also three wilderness cabins inside the crater that can be reached by hiking trail.

Lodging Near Haleakala National Park
The nearest hotels and inns outside the park are in Kula which is about an hour away and Makawao and Olinda, which are a couple of hours away from the park.

Article About Haleakala and Upcountry Maui
An article by the Maui Visitors Bureau about Haleakala National Park and upcountry Maui.

Hiking in Haleakala National Park
There are more then 30 miles of hiking trails in the summit area of Haleakala National Park The two main trails into the crater are the Halemauu Trail and the Sliding Sands Trail. There are about 10 miles of hiking trails in the lower coastal area of the park. Either of the Haleakala Visitors Centers can provide you with a trail map and current trail conditions.

NPS on Hiking in Haleakala National Park

Facts About Haleakala National Park
Haleakala National Park covers 46 square miles and approximately 38 miles of the park is wilderness area. The world "Haleakala" means "House of the Sun" in Hawaiian. The volcano was given that name because according to legend the god Maui imprisoned the sun inside Haleakala in order to make the day longer. The park is focused around the dormant Haleakala Volcano which last errupted in about 1790. Haleakala Crater on the summit of Mount Haleakala is 7 miles across, 2 miles wide and about 2600 feet deep.

Viewing the Sunrise Over Haleakala
A popular visitor activity is to drive to the top of the Haleakala Volcano early in the morning or in the late afternoon to watch the sun rise or set over the crater. Visitors can drive on their own or take an organized tour that will make all arrangements.

Cycling Down the Haleakala Mountain Road
Several bicycle tour operators organize group cycling tours down the winding road from the summit of Mount Haleakala.

Star Gazing

NPS on Skywatching in Haleakala Park

Kipahulu Valley Area of Haleakala National Park
The coastal area of Haleakala National Park must be accessed from the coastal road along the windward coast of Maui. It is not possible to reach that area from the summit road. This part of the park is located in the lower Kipahulu Valley, and it is separated from the rest of Haleakala National Park by the upper Kipahulu Valley. The upper part of the Kipahulu Valley has been designated the Kipahulu Valley Biological Reserve and it is closed to the public to protect native plants and animals. In the state park area of the Kipahulu valley there are more then 20 pools along the Palikea Stream in an area known as the Oheo Gulch. Visitors may swim in the pools and they may also hike on a trail that leads to the base of Waimoku Falls.

History of Haleakala National Park
The dormant Mount Haleakala Volcano on the island of Maui was orignally part of the Hawaii National Park, along with the Big Island volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea. In 1961 Hawaii National Park was split into two parks, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii and Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui. In 1980 Haleakala National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve.

Attractions and Activities in Haleakala National Park

Area 1: Summit Area of the Mountain

Area 2: Wilderness Area of the Mountain

Area 3: Kipahulu Area on the Coast

Haleakala Crater

Haleakala Summit Visitor's Center

Sliding Sands Trail

Seven Pools of Oheo Gulch

Silversword Plant

Hosmer's Grove

From the National Parks Service

Guided Activities in the Park

Frequently Asked Questions About the Park

Swimming in the Park

Haleakala for Kids

Operating Hours

Fees and Reservations

How to Support the Park

Voluntter at the Park

Haleakala National Park
PO Box 369 in Makawao
Big Island, Hawaii 96768
Main Phone: 808-572-4400
Kipahulu Phone: 808-248-7375
Web Site: NPS.gov - Haleakala

Haleakala National Park Maui, Hawaii

Haleakala National Park
Maui, Hawaii