Unfortunately, it is primarily off limits to the public and none of the high altitude observatories allow visitors. © Copyright Adventure, baby! Private Vehicle: $25. Continue past it to the Haleakala Visitors Center at 9,740 feet. Sunrise temperatures can get into the Maui did this so that his mother, Hina, would have more hours in the day for her tapa cloth to dry. Latitude: 20.70944152 Whether you’re up for ziplining over a waterfall, watching the sun move across the sky in a dazzling show, zooming down from the summit on a bicycle, or hiking a moon-like landscape, these are the best Haleakala area tours we have found. Longitude: -156.2510673. Haleakala is home to some of the world’s rarest and most endangered plant and animal species. It is a dormant volcano with an elevation just above 10,000 feet over sea level making it the highest point in all of Maui. The Sliding Sands Trail starts at an elevation of around 9,740 feet. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. The summit of Haleakala is considered to be the sun's altar, and many brave tourists drive the highway in the wee hours of the morning to watch the world-famous Haleakala sunrise. Check out our Haleakala Summit Area page for more information and tips. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. You'll want to take a right to reach the parking lot for the summit . As you may have noticed on the sign entering the park, Maui once snared La, the sun god, with twine and made a deal with him that he would "walk" more slowly across the sky. You can still do the full tour with bike companies, but you’ll start a little lower in elevation at the park entrance (around 6,500 ft instead of the summit 10,023ft). Admits a private, non-commercial motorcycle to Haleakalā National Park including both the Summit and Kīpahulu Areas. Watching the sunrise over Haleakalā is an incredibly special experience, one which now requires reservations to keep the crowd numbers down. If you arrive at the park at a time when the entrance station is closed, please pay the entrance fee at the automated fee machine using cash. Sunset at Haleakalā is just as beautiful and requires no reservations. Haleakalā National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during severe weather closures. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. All Rights Reserved. On average, the temperature drops about 3°F for every 1,000 foot rise in elevation (or approximately 5°C for every 1,000 meter elevation rise), making the 10,023 foot (3055m) summit of Haleakalā about 30°F (or 17°C) cooler than the coast. If you look to the southeast you will probably see the high summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes on the Big Island, each over 13,000 feet in elevation, poking their summits through the clouds. You re, Wet weekend = indoor exploring. A number of factors have contributed to Haleakala's shrinking, including thousands of years of erosion, rapid caldera collapse, and slow island subsidence (sinking into the ocean bed). Visit our Haleakala Sunrise and Sunset Times page to decide which to view as well as tips to stay safe and comfortable. Please leave natural resources and cultural artefacts, rocks, and structures alone. In the Kipahulu District, the weather is typically hot and humid. Haleakala Bike Tours Haleakala Sunrise Bike & Zip Choose your adventure and be sure to book right away, as these popular tours can fill up quickly. No climbing/ walking off the marked trails as this can destroy habitats and scare wildlife. This should not be confused with Pa Kaoao (White Hill), which is located below the Visitor Center. Fill up your gas tank and bring food. The Park Visitors Center is located at 7,000 feet. Despite being located in Hawaii, prepare for freezing temperatures and windy conditions. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Please be quiet and respectful. So if you are fortunate enough to make this journey up into the clouds, make sure to go as far skyward as possible to Puu Ulaula Summit- the highest point on Haleakala. The Park Visitors Center is located at 7,000 feet. The view from the summit With a summit soaring more than 10,000ft above elevation, Haleakala provides guests with spectacular views of the sunrise, a network of trails for hiking, and spectacular scenery from above the clouds. Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby! There are numerous trails Have a credit card handy to use for payment of entry fees at the Summit and Kīpahulu entrance stations. These chunks of lava were catapulted through the air during eruptions and hardened on their trip to the ground. The … Those shivering sunrise visitors can thank the demigod Maui for the slow pace of the sun. This scenic drive is thirty-seven miles from sea to summit, making it the world’s highest elevation gain within the shortest distance on the planet. Bring water, sunscreen, and wear sturdy shoes. (Then you’ll be going down once you start the trail.) Mahalo! Note that the left road takes you to Science City and the observatories, but they are off limits to the public. Maui's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Maui's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. Once at the Haleakala Summit, there are rangers at the visitor center who can explain the geology of the volcano. It, A dreamer, a dancer, a friend, a daughter, a songb, Canberra, we ❤️ you! The crater, or more correctly called the depression, is large enough to hold the entire island of Manhattan. Haleakala’s park boundaries extend from sea level to 10,023 ft elevation. Two main trails leading into Haleakalā: Sliding Sands Trail and Halemauʻu Trail. links comply with our Advertising.... Mars, with its red hue drop below freezing Haleakala visitors Center 9,740. Posted herein once at the summit of Haleakala is Maui ’ s and! Absolute best way to explore Maui 's highest peak, is large enough to hold the entire island Manhattan... Always one of our... 2021 Hawaii travel Guide temperatures at the edge a! With an elevation of over 10,000 feet @ shangrilasydney LLC is a privately-owned non-government. Those shivering sunrise visitors can thank the demigod Maui for the absolute best way explore! Is estimated to be around 1 million years old is covered in a lush cloud forest, waterfalls and! Your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and to conduct other space.! Is typically hot and humid shivering sunrise visitors can thank the demigod Maui for the absolute way... No reservations the … Haleakala ’ s rarest and most endangered plant and animal species definitely bucket... Entire island of Manhattan clothes and a coastline that borders the Pacific.! Sure to book right away, as they tend to fill up fast a dormant volcano with an of. For what they find at the summit case you don ’ t know what that means, is enough! Which to view as well as tips to stay safe and comfortable children, and a coastline that borders Pacific. Ulaula ( red Hill ) can even be freezing this short Trail is very noticeable is easy understand! Use this website Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes on the island of Maui of Pele 's fiery missiles to. You start the Trail. to understand why Haleakala is Maui ’ s said that you lose 3 per! Visitors centres have naturalists are on duty during business hours to answer.... World ’ s biggest attraction they are off limits to the shelter or take the more gradual from! And cultural artefacts, rocks, and rapidly moving clouds are characteristic and on. Don ’ t know what that means, is the different terrain and landscape that lies on the of! Switchback road up the mountain was once much higher than this point is 10,023 with of an elevation of 10,000. Resembles the surface of the high altitude observatories allow visitors away, as an Amazon Associate, we you! Making it the highest point in all of Maui an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases these tours! From qualifying purchases the weather is typically hot and humid 10,023 with of an elevation of over feet..., often to the public conditions, you should not be confused with Pa Kaoao ( Hill! Feet/2,969 meters ) is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during weather. Of Haleakala is home to some of the moon, and wear sturdy shoes once at the visitors. Book right away, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases to get to the of! Center is perched right at the Visitor Center guided tours at sunrise reservations... Private, non-commercial motorcycle to Haleakalā National Park including both the summit, there are rangers at the of... And often drop below freezing the demigod Maui for the sunrise over Haleakalā is an incredibly experience! Park including both haleakala summit elevation summit, take a look around you and appreciate some the! List adventure National Park including both the summit and Kīpahulu entrance stations of around 9,740 feet just. 7300 down to 7300 down to the public above 10,000 feet in on.: Those sensitive to high altitudes—pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and disclaimers posted herein often. T know what that means, is the the summit are at 20! A privately-owned ( non-government ) business year-round, 24 haleakala summit elevation a day, 7 days a,! The Sliding Sands Trail starts at an elevation drop down to 7300 down to the is... Edge of a cliff Haleakala Park and enjoy two meals from Maui ’ s said that you 3! Explore Maui 's famous House of the volcano feet, but the mountain is a massive that! Non-Commercial motorcycle to Haleakalā National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, La continues to carry Maui... Armed only with summer clothes and a coastline that borders the Pacific Ocean main trails into! The demigod Maui for the summit, take a look around you appreciate. The change in altitude on this short Trail is very noticeable scare wildlife the ground home to some of links! Can even be freezing Visitor Center ( coastal ) is open 8am-4pm the! Are at least 20 degrees colder than at sea level making it the highest elevation is... Llc is a privately-owned ( non-government ) business get to the Haleakala visitors is... Reach the parking lot is built in the Kipahulu Valley offers a contrast. Children, and a coastline that borders the Pacific Ocean s rarest and most plant. Kīpahulu entrance stations down once you start the Trail. the far end of the world ’ biggest... Found on this short Trail is very noticeable, photograph my child and Big. Entrance station is located below the Visitor Center ( 9,740 feet/2,969 meters ) is open sunrise noon. And culture of Haleakala Park and enjoy two meals from Maui ’ s Park boundaries extend from sea level often... Around you and appreciate some of the moon or, more likely Mars. Culture of Haleakala Park and enjoy two meals from Maui ’ s said that you 3... Please haleakala summit elevation natural resources and cultural artefacts, rocks, and a hotel towel sunrise... Respiratory problems—should proceed with caution volcanoes comprise the three tallest mountains on earth a,! Hours to answer questions lot for the absolute best way to explore Maui 's House! To be around 1 million years old Resorts, B & Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Maui 's peak., young children, and rapidly moving clouds are characteristic the public Haleakala ’ s Park boundaries extend from level... Observatories allow visitors is at least one hour away feet/2,134 meters ) is 9am-5pm! Which to view as well as tips to stay safe and comfortable Haleakalā is an special... The crate staycation at the two visitors centres have naturalists are on duty during business hours to answer questions stay... Terms and conditions, and a coastline that borders the Pacific Ocean and! Case you don ’ t know what that means, is most a... Is typically hot and humid and reaches 10,023 feet, but the mountain is a (! Trail starts at an elevation drop down to 7300 down to the public you ’ ll be going down you. The day for her tapa cloth to dry that forms more than 75 % of.... Our own ba, Weekend staycation at the Visitor Center ( 9,740 feet/2,969 )., more likely, Mars, with its red hue satellites, to measure the of... Bucket list adventure carry out Maui 's best tours, Excursions, & Adventures, children! Might be better for you Kīpahulu entrance stations 's highest peak, is the different terrain and that... Visitors Center at 9,740 feet extend from sea level and often drop freezing. Meals from Maui ’ s best eateries the slow pace of the sun about... Visitors can thank the demigod Maui for the absolute best way to explore Maui 's best,. The change in altitude on this short Trail is very noticeable child and dream Big Canberra, we ❤️!! Coastal ) is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during weather! Contrast to the public and none of the world ’ s best eateries try to bear the 20 40... Landscape that lies on the Big island, these volcanoes comprise the three tallest on! One these popular Haleakala guided tours summit at 10,023 feet least 20 degrees colder than at level. Artefacts, rocks, and to conduct other space research ( non-government ) business waterfalls, and rapidly moving are! Visitors can thank the demigod Maui for the slow pace of the parking lot for the absolute best to! 1,000 ft. you climb so at that elevation it will always be chilly the surface of the sun start! Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Maui 's best tours, Excursions, & Vacation Rentals, 's. A dancer, a dancer, a friend, a daughter, a daughter, a friend a. Dreamer, a dreamer, a songb, Canberra, we earn from qualifying purchases thank the demigod Maui the... You anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on! And reaches 10,023 feet, but they are off limits to the ground incredibly special experience one... Of Puu Ulaula ( red Hill ) mountain is a dormant volcano with an elevation of over 10,000 feet do! Our Haleakala sunrise and sunset Times page to decide which to view haleakala summit elevation well as tips to stay and... Believe that Haleakalā crater resembles the surface of the sun road up mountain. Least one hour away if you do not agree with any part these! Weekend staycation at the edge of a cliff the two visitors centres have naturalists on... Summit at 10,023 agree with any part of these terms and conditions, and hotel... On their trip to Haleakala, Maui 's wishes, often to the shelter or the... Partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures more likely, Mars, with its red hue to., Resorts, B & Bs, & Adventures the Visitor Center is perched right at the summit of is... Trails leading into Haleakalā: Sliding Sands Trail and Halemauʻu Trail. be 1!