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Haleakalā Visitor Center

4.5 (217 reviews)

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Eva W.

We came to see the sunset, but as the drive up, it got cloudier. When we reached the visitor center, the attendant collected our fee. We asked what the visibility was, she didn't know. So, we took a chance. We got up there and it was so cold and windy and there was so much fog. Could not see a thing. As we drove down there was a great view. Beautiful! I guess it kind of worked out.

Sabine F.

Haleakala is a must when visiting Maui. We had much better luck watching the sunrise than in previous years. When planning a trip up to the mountain make sure that you get there before 5 am to get the best spot. If you have time go to the summit for a better view. Parking gets crowded at the summit. Wear layers of clothing and bring a blanket as it gets very cold. Also, make reservations early.

The peak
Todd W.

One of the most amazing experiences I've had in Maui & I've had A LOT!! Haleakala is a must see if visiting Maui!! First dress warm!! It's cold up there unlike the rest of Maui!! Second be prepared for a windy road up the mountain side but it's absolutely beautiful all the way up. If you go past the visitors center you'll come to a parking lot where you get amazing views but the best views in my opinion are a short hike up from the parking lot to the right. Be careful it's rocky but once you reach the peak it's absolutely blissful and u like anything I've ever seen in life. We stayed until nightfall and were completely surrounded by stars. AMAZINGNESS!! If you do this bring a flashlight or use your camera phone and be very careful on the way back down.

Bill B.

So it is what it is. A national park so don't expect the best What you will find are knowledgeable rangers that are happy to answer questions And just an amazing view of the sunrise and some pretty cool hiking trails. It was cold at the top in the low 40s Get up early make the drive have a great time

Kevin C.

One of the most beautiful and quiet national parks you can visit. The visitor center is perfectly located at the summit to view everywhere around the park almost 360 degrees. What's more is if you're able to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime experience of getting a reservation for witnessing the sunrise at the summit. You have to be early well in advance or very quick to snatch your reservation but the views and experience are transcendental and worth waking up early and driving out to the summit for!

Martha C.

Amazing view of volcano in Hawaii . It's a bright sunny day no clouds. The drive was amazing seeing the ocean from high elevation.

Joyce L.

Haleakala is a must if you're visiting the island of Maui. The drive up here is quite long. If you get car sick or high altitude affects you, you may want to prepare yourself for that. Entrance fee is $30 as this is a National Park. You just have to come up and see the beautiful view for yourself.

Juicke C.

Having a pass helped get through the self pay park entrance process/machine. The view from the summit is always breath taking. It's about as close to heaven you're going get and not be in an aircraft. My must stop whenever I'm in Maui.

Roop K.

As close to heaven as one can possibly be. Surreal morning sunrise in the clouds. Extremely hard to get the ticket for sunrise so wake up at 6:45 am two days in advance and get logged in ready to go by 6:59 to book the ticket. Freezing up there so take blankets jackets and gloves. I froze my hands for the Timelapse I got but so worth it. Road up there is windy - I'm not as worried as I have driven up many mountains in California but for new timers who aren't had experienced just budget in a solid 1.5-2 hrs to climb up the 10,000 feet. We woke up at 3 am and got there around 4:15. I drove in the dead of night so just sped up and around the curves but don't look to your right if you're afraid of heights. It looks like there is no cliff and yeah there isn't one lol. Coming down was smooth , just put the car in neutral and brake and go as you wish.

Between the clouds
Roselia G.

First restrooms and the only clean ones. If you use the bathroom shacks at the trail locations, you're gonna regret it. Definitely should stop in for a map and direction. They also sell some snacks, drinks and souvenirs. Close kinda early so make sure to check their hours first. The restrooms are open 24/7 though...thank goodness.

On the way up!
Erica G.

**Note : Bring a light jacket even during the day it's still chilly up top due to the altitude. What an exceptional view, and the fact you get to be so close to an active volcano is WILD. While it was one of the most beautiful drives I've been on, It was also the scariest. I rented the car and decided that I would take a nice drive up to the park. I have heard a lot about Haleakala. If you are not going on an excursion and you are driving yourself there, please keep in mind that there are a lot of swift turns around the mountain tops with no form of railing. Just straight down the summit of the mountain. I was on eggshells when I was close to the very top. It was surreal seeing actual clouds and knowing you are as high as clouds! If I had to do it again, I would, but it is extremely nerve-wracking doing this ride alone. Although, now I can brag and say that I drove up 10,000 ft to Haleakala myself. So neat!

Sunrise
Sherene H.

Beautiful sunrise everytime. This is my second time coming to haleakala for sunrise and it's worth waking up at 4am to get here for sunrise. Make sure you reserve your ticket for summit parking 2 days in advance or months in advance since there's limited tickets. You also need to pay park admission which is $30 or bring your national park pass!

Tiny visitor center
Elizabeth P.

We decided to visit during the day since we couldn't wake up early enough for the sunrise and did not want to drive down at night after sunset. We arrived about 12:30pm and it was nice with it not being crowded at all. The views were still breathtaking and it was amazing driving up and through the thick clouds to see a beautiful clear day.

Silver sword

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Very scenic but windey drive up. Good facilities at the visitors center. But unfortunately it was too cloudy to see the crater.

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Haleakalā Visitor Center Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Haleakalā Visitor Center

What time should we be there for sunset?

I suggest checking the weather & see what time sunset is. We stopped on the way there & got subway & chips to eat while waiting. Make time to get out along the way up to take photos & appreciate the amazing landscape. I honestly think the time after… Read more

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Review Highlights - Haleakalā Visitor Center

There are many places to view the sunrise but I recommend the summit and descending after sun is fully risen.

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Haleakala National Park - (8/28/25)

Haleakala National Park

4.7(822 reviews)
13.7 mi

Witnessing a sunrise high above in Haleakala National Park on the beautiful island of Maui has got…read moreto be in my top ten outdoor experiences. The view is spectacular from so many angles. I have been lucky enough to witness a couple of sunrises in this park and all of them have been unique, mouth dropping gorgeous. I highly recommend. Sunsets are epic as well but there is something about the anticipation of patiently waiting for the sun to rise out here that is otherworldly. Times have changed with a reservation being required now to attend a sunrise (3am - 7am). Next it can take up to two hours to get here if you are staying in Lahaina. This means you are getting up extremely early to arrive for sunrise, but you won't regret it. You pass through the towns of Kahului, Paia, and Makawao before you begin your ascension to the summit on the windy Crater Road. Be sure to dress warmly for sunrise. Dress in layers and wear a beanie too if your ears get cold. During and after sunrise the crater is the most clear, but it does often fill up with clouds especially late mornings. Hiking here is very challenging since you are sitting at 10,023 feet at the summit and you just came from sea level. We did love every minute of our trek, especially hiking out to the cinder cones. This volcano is not considered extinct but still active. It has erupted at least ten times in the last thousand years. Due to its history, scientists still monitor it today. One of the unique plants that live here is the stunning Silversword plant. This plant only blooms once in its life and can only be found here. This is one of the best ways to start your day on Maui.

Makawao, HI. Visiting this park is like traveling to a…read moredistant planet. I have never seen such barren yet beautiful scenery. It is quite a long and winding road heading up and patience really helps. I used the turnouts as needed to let the tailgaters and speeders go by. I mean really, the speed limit is typically 30 mph and often only 20. We went up on a cloudy day so much of the island view wasn't there but the thin air at the top was crisp and clean and had some magnification factor. The short hike from the visitors center near the summit is easy and only .2 miles and it gives a good view of the crater. I hiked down the Shifting Sands Trail for a short distance just to be down in the crater a bit. It's easy to get shortness of breath so be aware that it a steep climb back uphill on this trail. The views at the summit observation deck are awesome, you can see the peaks on the big island poking up through the clouds. There are silver sword plants everywhere up there looking very healthy and happy to be growing out of nothing but lava rock and sand. No blossoms on this trip though.

Photos
Haleakala National Park - Picturesque wu nset

Picturesque wu nset

Haleakala National Park - Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā National Park

Haleakala National Park - Everyone waiting for sunset

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Everyone waiting for sunset

Waimoku falls

Waimoku falls

4.7(9 reviews)
6.2 mi

Located at the end of the Pipiwai Trail in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park, this…read more400-foot waterfall is absolutely picturesque and breathtaking. Pictures will never do this waterfall justice, and it should be included in anyone's Road to Hana journey. To get here, you'll have to do the Road to Hana, and Haleakalā National Park is about 12 miles past the town of Hana. Once there, Waimoku Falls is at the end of the Pipiwai Trail - a 4 mile round-trip moderate hike. That being said, the trail is well-maintained and was not a difficult hike at all. Once you get to Waimoku Falls, it's totally worth it to take some time to just sit and enjoy it. It's such a peaceful and beautiful area to relax and take in all that nature is offering. We visited both the Kīpahulu and Summit districts of Haleakalā, and the Pipiwai Trail w/ Waimoku Falls was one of my top two experiences in the park. This is a must-stop for your Haleakalā National Park and Road to Hana adventures.

We did the Haleakalā sunrise on Saturday of our trip. That national park pass is good for three…read moredays so if you decide to do the road to Hana and include these falls, you won't have to pay the additional fee to enter (we did road to Hana on Sunday, spent the night in Hana then did this Pipiwai Trai hike/falls on Monday). This 400-foot waterfall is just breathtaking. We left around 8am from Hana to do this hike, even with a 9 and 11 year old and with many, many, many stops because I threw out my back four days before, we still managed to get to the falls and return by 2pm (I'm sure it would have only taken around 2 hours if I didn't have to stop so much). Bring lots of bug spray (the spray we did at the car had all sweated off), water and snacks to enjoy the falls once you get there. There is a stopping point where you can't go directly underneath the falls, but the streams around them provide great picnic areas. Make sure to pack out what you pack in. Definitely a great way to end your road to Hana trip before you head back.

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Waimoku falls
Waimoku falls - Waimoku Falls

Waimoku Falls

Waimoku falls

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Pipiwai Trail - Bamboo Forest

Pipiwai Trail

4.8(229 reviews)
17.3 mi

This is a pretty easy hike with great payoff! It only takes about 2 hours, and you get to hike over…read morea couple of bridges, through a bamboo forest, and end up at a gorgeous waterfall! I'm an athletic kinda girl, and I would say this trail is maybe a 2/5 in terms of difficulty. (I'd give it a 1, but it has some incline, so I gave it a 2.) My boyfriend is a homebody and rarely hikes, and he gave it a 3/5 in terms of difficulty. One thing to note: The drive to get here is a DOOZY. I did thee Road to Hana the last time I was in Maui, and it freaked me out so much that we tried going around the south side of the island this time. That was also very scary. Unless you are prepared for very narrow roads (I'm talking one lane with traffic going both ways) on a cliff, sometimes with drops straight into the ocean, don't do it. If you are okay with that, do the Road to Hana for the more scenic drive. The southern drive was less scenic, and probably just as scary.

Came back here 5 years after I went the 1st time and brought my 9 year old. He made it to the end…read moreand back. The trail didn't seem as magical, maintained or green as I remember the 1st time. Maybe a different time of year? More mosquitoes as well. Still, it was pleasant and glad we went. We saw a lot of people bringing infants in carriers and really small kids. This is a serious hike. I would say maybe 7 + in age if you are bringing kids. You may make it part of the way, but it will take you an hour to get to the bamboo forest at least and there are a lot of weird wide steps. Bring water, snacks, hiking stick and bug spray.

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Pipiwai Trail - Base of the waterfall

Base of the waterfall

Pipiwai Trail
Pipiwai Trail - Bamboo Forrest

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Bamboo Forrest

Haleakalā Visitor Center - visitorcenters - Updated May 2026

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