Haleakala National Park 
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Haleakala is the 10,023 foot (3,055m) tall inactive volcano which makes up over half of Maui. The National Park is a slice of the mountain from the summit down to the sea at Kipahulu to the east.
The top features are the view from the summit of the entire island and the view of the most recent cinder cones from Kalahaku Overlook. Birders will enjoy the short trail at Hosmer Grove where some of the original species of Hawaiian birds are seen. The Grove itself was an early experiment at planting imported pine and eucalyptus trees. The other major activity for visitors is hiking the many trails of the park.
The road up is quite good although curvy and steep in places. The main impediment on the drive is the hundreds of tourists who after being driven to the top for sunrise, then bicycle down. Tourists who have also driven up for the sunrise (a highly promoted attraction) are then caught behind the bikers on their way down.
Like every mountain in the Hawaiian chain, clouds start forming after 10 a.m. While many visitors arrive prior to sunrise (having left their hotels at 3 a.m.), arriving before 9 a.m. provides all the same vistas, except the colors of the sunrise. The clouds tend to clear up again towards the end of the day.
The top features are the view from the summit of the entire island and the view of the most recent cinder cones from Kalahaku Overlook. Birders will enjoy the short trail at Hosmer Grove where some of the original species of Hawaiian birds are seen. The Grove itself was an early experiment at planting imported pine and eucalyptus trees. The other major activity for visitors is hiking the many trails of the park.
The road up is quite good although curvy and steep in places. The main impediment on the drive is the hundreds of tourists who after being driven to the top for sunrise, then bicycle down. Tourists who have also driven up for the sunrise (a highly promoted attraction) are then caught behind the bikers on their way down.
Like every mountain in the Hawaiian chain, clouds start forming after 10 a.m. While many visitors arrive prior to sunrise (having left their hotels at 3 a.m.), arriving before 9 a.m. provides all the same vistas, except the colors of the sunrise. The clouds tend to clear up again towards the end of the day.
Tips: Those with some health conditions should take into account the 10,000 foot altitude at the summit.
Rental car companies advise use of lower gears on the drive to conserve brakes. Visitors should not let these warnings discourage them because the drive is quite easy.
Some camping is available, but those wishing to do so should contact the park to make advance reservations. Hosmer Grove does not require reservations, but is first come first serve and is limited to three nights. The Grove has water, but other sites do not.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Gift shop
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Haleakala volcano seen from air on the island of Maui.
Crater at Haleakala National Park, Maui.
Craters dot the landscape of Haleakala National Park, Maui.
Observatory in Haleakala National Park, Maui.
Silversword, found only on top of Haleakala in Maui, blooms once & then dies.
