Park Ranger Tips for Visiting Maui’s Haleakalā National Park

The National Park Service and Haleakalā National Park provided tips from park rangers for people planning to visit the park for a memorable and safe experience.

Park Rangers on Maui offered the following tips:

Put Safety First: To protect the health of the community and those who visit Haleakalā National Park, face masks are required in all buildings and facilities. Face masks should also be worn on trails and at overlooks when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Wash your hands, watch your distance and wear your mask. 

Dress the Part: Temperatures at the summit are much lower than down at the beach. You will be cold in beach wear, towels and short sleeves. Wear warm layers, bring sunscreen and stay hydrated. Weather conditions change quickly and without warning so be prepared for anything.

Make a Reservation: Sunrise reservations from Recreation.gov are required at the Summit District from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. Reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance and are only valid for the day reserved. These tickets are released at 7 a.m. Some “last minute” reservations for any given day will be released two days (48 hours) in advance. 

Be Informed: The Kīpahulu District is currently open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Summit District is always open. Reservations are required for sunrise but are not required for sunset or night sky viewing. Visitor centers are currently closed but restrooms are still available.  

Have a Plan: Gas up or charge your car before coming to the park. Arrive early in Kīpahulu to hike the Pīpīwai Trail to Waimoku Falls. If you want to hike the 11-mile half loop at the summit from Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trailhead to the Halemauʻu Trailhead, you will need to make arrangements for a pick-up or have two cars. Start all hikes early give yourself ample time to finish before dark or District closure (for Kῑpahulu). 

Download the App: The NPS has a new free app with tools to explore more than 400 national parks nationwide. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information and much more to plan your national park adventures before and during your trip. Download the NPS App in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. 

Stay Sharp: Up to date information regarding closures and conditions is available at our park website www.nps.gov/hale and on our social media channels @haleakalanps.