• Home
  • Deals
  • Win Free Trips
  • Southwest
    • Latest Updates: SWA Hawaii
    • Southwest Hawaii Deals
    • Southwest Inter-Island Flights
    • Southwest vs. Hawaiian
  • Categories
    • Hawaii Deals
    • Hawaii Airline News
    • Travel Tips
    • Culture and Events
  • COVID Travel Guide
  • Top Picks
    • 25 Ways to Save on Hawaii Car Rentals
    • Free/Cheap Parking Waikiki
    • Jellyfish Warnings 2020
    • Frugal Hawaii | 15 Ways To Save
    • Hawaii Sunscreen | New Law + Health and Safety Updates
  • Kudos

Beat of Hawaii

Cheap Flights to Hawaii | Hawaii Travel News

Haleakala, Crown Jewel on Maui | Now Virtually Yours

August 8, 2020 by Beat of Hawaii 12 Comments

Haleakala, Crown Jewel on Maui | Now Virtually Yours

While most of us will not be able to visit Haleakala National Park, for now, you can visit it virtually, 24-hours a day. In the meantime, the park service is working to increase physical access to the park. Limited areas around the summit are open daily, 7 am- 5 pm. The Kipahulu area is open 9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday. The Pools of Oheo remain closed, as do all visitor centers, campgrounds, & crater trails.

Before C0vid, the popularity of Haleakala National Park had led to significant changes. That as the increased number of Haleakala sunrise visits that caused damage to the area, traffic jams, and accidents.

Enjoy Mount Haleakala virtually for now, even at sunrise or sunset!

This is provided courtesy of the National Park Service’s Live Haleakala Crater Cam.

Then, when you can visit in person, the following is an update on how it works.

1. Haleakala sunrise reservations required.

A new reserve before you go system was introduced by the National Park Service in 2017. This was done to help mitigate issues caused by the sheer number of visitors.

Guests accessing the park summit from 3 am to 7 am are required to reserve in advance and pay a $1 per vehicle fee. Then on the day of your visit, pay the $20 park entrance (payable on entrance). Reserved guests then show up with their receipt and photo ID to gain access. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance.

A prior reservation is not required for any other time of day. The $20 park entrance fee (up from $15) provides access to both park districts for up to three days with your receipt. Read on for days when the $20 entrance fee is waived.

Park officials indicate that 16% of visitors come for the iconic sunrise, but that emergency calls account for 40% of the park’s total.

How to book in advance. Book online at recreation.gov or call the reservation phone line at 877-444-6777.

Last-minute availability. A small number of last-minute reservations may be available two days in advance, starting at 4:00 PM HST. Note that the website will show tickets as sold out until 4:00 PM.

2. Sunset at Haleakala.

Mount Haleakala - a Crown Jewel on Maui

We have also visited the summit of Haleakala Crater in the afternoon for sunset, and as you can see from the photo, it was nothing short of completely spectacular. Having driven up for sunrise on many occasions too, this timing seemed like an interesting juxtaposition. Unlike driving up in the pre-dawn hours, the afternoon drive was very different with almost no cars. We had the windy road virtually to ourselves. When coming for sunrise, it is frequently traffic all the way up.

3. An easy drive up – but, slow down and take your time

Don’t be intimidated by the drive to Haleakala. Just slow down and savor it. Once we turned up Crater Drive it took about 45 minutes to reach the summit. The views and scenery along the way are simply breathtaking. You’ll find the road in pristine condition from when it leaves Olinda, all the way to the 10,000-foot peak.

Once near the top, there’s a visitor center and a short hike. That’s not the end of the road, however, there’s more to see at the top where you’ll find an enclosed observation deck (always open) and surreal views over the crater to the ocean beyond. I also saw the two summits of the Big Island in the distance.

4. Haleakala Visitors Center.

Park headquarters include a Visitors Center that is open from 8 am to 3:45 pm daily. The other visitor center situated at 9740 feet is open from sunrise to 3 pm. All restrooms are open 24 hours per day, except during severe weather events. Please check for alerts on closures.

5. Entrance to the vast park.

The well maintained Haleakala National Park is vast, encompassing far more than the famous volcanic summit. It starts at the ocean at the Kīpahulu area, which is accessed just beyond Hana. That’s home to O’Heo gulch, also knows as Seven Sacred Pools (which is closed until further notice). Hiking trails in Kīpahulu remain open.

Your $20 at either point buys you a three-day entrance, as it is just too much park (and too much driving) to be done in one day. Park entrance is also free on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, National Park Week in April, National Park Service’s Birthday week and National Public Lands day in September, and Veterans Day.

6. Haleakala Activities.

There are an unlimited number of things to do, including sightseeing, walks, organized downhill bike rides, and even horseback. You can also do a walk or hike conducted by the National Park Service. Naturalists will enjoy unique Hawaii flora and fauna. Star watching is unequaled, being above one-third of the earth’s atmosphere. This is also the home to Hawaii’s first astronomical research observatory.  If you’d like to stay on, and plan ahead, there are cabins for rent in the park.

7. Maui Weather at Haleakala National Park.

You can expect the weather to be extreme within the park. This is not a joke and should be taken seriously. At 5pm the temperature at the summit was a very brisk 45 degrees and sunny. Bundle up – you’re likely to need every bit of clothing that you have.

8. Tips for the park.

Bring food and have gas. Those aren’t available at the park.
Carry water and sunscreen, and wear sturdy shoes.
You can pay the entrance fee with a credit card.

9. More information.

The National Park Service has more on their Haleakala website.

Lead photo courtesy of NPS. Photo above © Beat of Hawaii.

 

Disclosure: We receive a small commission on purchases from some of the links on Beat of Hawaii. These links cost you nothing and provide income necessary to offer our website to you. Mahalo! Privacy Policy and Disclosures.

Filed Under: Culture and Events

Subscribe to Free Updates

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Comment policy:
* A "please" or "thanks" is required for a reply.
* No profanity, rudeness, personal attacks, or bullying. Stay on travel - not politics.
* No links or UPPER CASE text.
* Do not advertise.
* Use a real first name.
* Comments edited/published at our sole discretion.
* Beat of Hawaii has no relationship with our commentors.
* Please read https://beatofhawaii.com/comment-policy/

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Comments limited to 2,000 characters.


Please, use first name and last initial only.

* Denotes required fields. By commenting you agree to our Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Cathy H says

    August 10, 2020 at 2:45 am

    Such great advice to go for the sunset, we went for sunrise and all we saw was fog, thank heavens we biked down afterwards, the view and experience were unforgettable. I’d love to go back after reading this but will also watch the webcam now! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      August 10, 2020 at 9:07 am

      Hi Cathy.

      Thanks.

      Aloha.

      Reply
  2. Bob D. says

    August 9, 2020 at 2:56 am

    Very helpful, thank you.

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      August 10, 2020 at 9:00 am

      Hi Bob.

      Thank you.

      Aloha.

      Reply
  3. John P. says

    August 8, 2020 at 9:08 pm

    Is a National Park Service Senior Pass is acceptable?
    My assumption that it is.

    Mahalo,
    John

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      August 10, 2020 at 8:58 am

      Hi John.

      Yes, it is.

      Aloha.

      Reply
  4. Jim R. says

    August 8, 2020 at 6:11 pm

    Amazing and Beautiful!! It’s a brisk (pun intended) and welcome change from the more downtrodden economic issues of today. I look forward to breaking out my flying camera and getting videos of some of the awesome areas that can be viewed from the air. Unfortunately National Parks are not one of them, but I will still get some great shots from the ground, in these areas! Looking forward to filming the secrets and beauty of Hawaii, when I can get back to it, guys!

    Thanks for giving us an upbeat picture, Rob & Jeff! We absolutely 💖 this! Maui is one of our favorite places to be for our actual vacations…🤙

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      August 10, 2020 at 8:38 am

      Hi Jim.

      Thanks! Hope to see you soon.

      Aloha.

      Reply
      • Jim R. says

        August 11, 2020 at 3:18 am

        Yeah! Working on staying healthy…as long as we all do (and they lift the pesky quarantine), it will be sooner, rather than later!

        Have a Great Week, Guys!

        Reply
        • Beat of Hawaii says

          August 11, 2020 at 8:41 am

          Hi Jim.

          Thanks. You too.

          Aloha.

          Reply
  5. Pam M says

    August 8, 2020 at 2:45 pm

    Mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for everything you do for everyone.

    I’m thankful for your site and thankful for your new guidelines.

    Much Aloha to everyone out there, now and always.

    Stay safe and always remember that we’re all blessed to be able to enjoy this awesome world, whether in person or through photos.

    Reply
    • Beat of Hawaii says

      August 10, 2020 at 8:28 am

      Hi Pam.

      Thanks for your dozens of comments, and your nice words. Much appreciated!

      ALoha.

      Reply

Subscribe to Free Updates

Most popular on Beat of Hawaii

  • Southwest Hawaii Update Breaking: Southwest Hawaii Route Just Added $99 + More News

    1,635 Comments

  • coco palms resort Coco Palms Kauai Update: Elvis Has Left

    276 Comments

  • Why Hawaii Travel Will Rebound First Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii in 2021

    4,644 Comments

  • Will Vaccination Passport Hawaii Travel Still Begin in February? On Hold: Vaccination Passport For Hawaii Travel

    259 Comments

  • Cheap Flights to Maui How Do Hawaii Residents Honestly Feel About Tourists

    588 Comments

Home » News » Culture and Events » Haleakala, Crown Jewel on Maui | Now Virtually Yours

Beat of Hawaii was featured in

TripAdvisor
Budget Travel
Frommer's
USA Today
NBC News
The Seattle Time
ABC News
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Privacy
  • Disclosures
  • Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii

Copyright © 2021 · Beat Of Hawaii. All Rights Reserved.

sponsored