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Haleakala National Park

5 star rating
based on 79 reviews

Category: Parks  [Edit]

PO Box 369
Makawao, HI 96768
(808) 248-7375
Good for Kids:
Yes

79 reviews for Haleakala National Park

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Photo of Mark P.

Elite '09

3

122

Mark P.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
9/26/2009 3 photos

What could I write that 67 other people haven't? This...

Make sure you go hiking down into the crater. Better yet, take a night and camp at one of the 3 campsites down on the floor. If you love solitude, this is the way to see Haleakala.

The scenery is beautiful from the rim, but its even more spectacular if you get down among the cinder cones, up close with the lava lows and strange silver sword plants, and in the middle of one of the clouds pouring into the crater. And you'll have it mostly to yourself.

If you go to Peliku at the other end of the crater, you'll be able to see the landscape go from an arid moonscape to a lush cloud forest in about the space of a mile. Just amazing!

Photo of Tammi S.

 

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16

Tammi S.

Trabuco Canyon, CA

5 star rating
8/25/2009

We almost didn't take this trip and we're so glad we did! After taking the Road to Hana and being disappointed by the 7 Sacred Pools (7 Crowded Pools), we used our $10 ticket (good for both parks for 3 days) to get into Haleakala National Park.

We left at around 10:30 am from Kaanapali and it only took us a few hours to get to the top. You don't need to rent a bike or get up at some ungodly hour to enjoy the beauty of this natural wonder.

The road is quite charming and not nearly as twisty as the Road to Hana. We went through so many micro-climates in the 10,000 ft. uphill climb. Everything from rain-forest looking areas all the way to the moonlike landscape of the crater. Just remember to bring a jacket because it is windy and COLD up there!

Oh - and the people at the visitor centers are top-notch. The kids will LOVE it!

Tedeschi winery was a great way to end the day. Very quaint and an enjoyable experience. Wines are just "so-so," (mainly because we like dark reds) but if you like pineapple, you will like their selection of pineapple wines. More on that in the Tedeschi Winery review...

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend visiting the crater. Such a stark contrast to other areas on the island. Visit the little "forest" on the way down - and if you bought the CD Guide from the Shell Kahuilui on the Road to Hana, it's only $10 to get the Haleakala CD. "Craig" does not disappoint. :-)

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qirk z.

Los Gatos, CA

4 star rating
8/31/2009 4 photos

Awesome view above the clouds.

Weather is cooler than near the beaches, but on this day it is about 65 vs 85, not too bad.

Hike the volcanic sand, in sandals, without socks. Shoes or sandals, either will turn red-brown when you're done; but sandals and feet are easier to rinse in the restroom. Four days later, I still have volcanic sand on my feet; talk about exfoliation.

There is also a summit lookout.

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Elite '09

33

277

Melissa M.

Sugar Land, TX

5 star rating
7/26/2009 3 photos

Take the beautiful drive up this mountain and bring a jacket!  It took us about 2 hours from Lahaina to the summit. We took a partially covered Jeep (because it was the only rental car we could get), and it was COLD!

You can start driving and it is a beautiful day and by the time you get to the summit, it can be cloudy and foggy.  Start early in the morning for a better chance to see things.  We got there around noon and we were able to see some beautiful views for about 10 minutes and then the fog rolled in. There is a ranger who informs you about the area at the top.

There is a visitor center with viewing area and bathrooms at about 9000 feet and then you can drive a little more and hit the summit (with parking and a ranger station but no bathrooms) and 10,000 feet. There are some very basic trails to walk on at 10k feet. We only stayed about 30 minutes because I was getting VERY light headed at that altitude, it's probably easier for other people who don't live at sea level all the time.

Definitely worth the drive, but bring a jacket! Definitely stop at 9k feet and take some photos on the other side of the bathrooms. There is a great sign with the elevation on it... good photo op!

I hear that sunrise is the best time to go, but that means you have to get up VERY early no matter where you are staying.

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9

505

Mae S.

Ann Arbor, MI

5 star rating
8/21/2009

Above the clouds without an airplane, and 10,000 feet above the sea which stretches out to the horizon. Dizzying! I love the amazing moonscape of erosion dust and volcanic cones in the crater.

The road signs point to "crater" but when you get there, the experts say it's not a crater, so let's call it the geological feature erroneously known as the crater.

Trails are everywhere, with a wide variety of landscapes. Just after the park entrance you can walk in a wooded area with several species of native birds including the Nenes and two little red birds.

This is one of the best national parks we have. Happy 50th, Hawaii!

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Elite '09

55

607

Zakk D.

San Jose, CA

4 star rating
6/16/2009

I love this park.  I really do.  I hadn't been up to the pools in years, usually got my banana bread at Halfway then turned around.  Last trip the wife wanted to have a picnic at the cliffs, so what the hell.  But -1 star for banning jumping off rocks into the pools.  I'm sure some idiot thought it would be great to have video of their dumb kid jumping, and then aforementioned dumb kid got hurt, Lawsuits ensure, blah blah blah.  Oh well.  Not everything stays the same, I'm just glad I've jumped from about everywhere here when I was a kid.  

Having a picnic in Hana on the clifs is also a must do.  we bring some sammiches, some brews, some fruit from the stops a long the way and just watch the clouds come in.

Also, please pack your trash.  I'm sick of yelling at crappy parents in Tommy Bahama sportswear to pick-up thier kids gatorade bottles that are on their way to join the Pacific Garbage Patch.  

Resepct the water, respect the Earth.

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Elite '09

777

127

mallory p.

Jamaica, NY

5 star rating
5/27/2009

Absolutely Breathtaking.
One of the places you must see before you die.
Make sure to bring a jacket though...it's maaaad cold.

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Elite '09

54

236

Purvi R.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
6/15/2009

In keeping with the 3-days in Maui thing, I will explain why we did not do the sunrise. It is because you need to wake up quite early, as in 3am, (mainly because parking spots fill up - lame!) and as a result, you will be tired for much of the day. Or, at least tire early. And who wants to do that with only 3 days to enjoy a place.

That being said, we did make it up to the summit on a thankfully clear day and had a lovely view into the Crater. What is most impressive to me is how recently some of the peaks were formed - 7 in the last 1,000 years, which is like yesterday in volcanic terms. Another fun fact is that this entire crater was formed by wind, water, and general erosion. And it is really colorful when the light hits it right, so bring the camera!

Note, it is not that cold during the day once the sun comes up. I'd say about 55 or so; I had a little track zip-up on and was quite warm enough. So you don't have to pack a bunch of fleeces just to see this amazing sight.

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Elite '09

8

142

Heidi C.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
6/14/2009

Beautiful, a once in a lifetime sight. My tip:  go up for Sunset. It's much less crowded and just as gorgeous, plus you can do the entire drive up in the light of day.  There is a fee but it's also good at the Seven Sacred Pools park on the road to Hana, so you get your money's worth if you'll be doing both.  As others have said, it is FREEZING up at the top with crazy winds. I am from the East Coast and scoffed at others claiming it was cold, but I was so wrong. It was freezing. A coat is necessary!!  

P.S. look out for cows on the way up the volcano!!

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137

Austin T.

Austin, TX

5 star rating
7/2/2009

Get up early and bring your coat,it's really cold. Plan on a 2 hour drive from Lahaina and worth every mile for the sunrise.
I hear you can see a sunset and moonrise at the same time some nights.
Remember the Creme Puffs at the base of the mountain is local a breakfast.

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diego r.

Pierce, WA

5 star rating
9/2/2009

For the first few days I didn't even know there was a mountain there. We were staying in Wailea and it was always covered by a deep layer of clouds.
So what makes it cool was driving past the clouds and being able to see the entire island with a carpet of clouds along it, truly awesome site.

We visited during late August and was not as cold as I had been told 60's, coming from Seattle that is not very cold.

The drive up the mountain is half of the beauty, the changing sceneries of the island is truly beautiful.

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Elite '09

8

115

Salena M.

Chatham, NJ

4 star rating
5/28/2009

Worth a look to see the sunrise but bring warm clothing 'cause it's pretty darn cold.  All I had was the beach towels to wrap around us.  BRRRRR!!It's eerily dark to see the sunrise from here...it almost feel you're on some other planet.  There's a covered indoor thing to go into but best to see it outside.
Then we went down the hill and was one of the first people to get Starbucks coffee......because it was so early, even the Starbucks didn't keep us awake.

It's nice to know such beautiful scenic places in America.

Photo of Mrs. Tam F.

 

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650

Mrs. Tam F.

Danville, CA

5 star rating
2/7/2009

This is a two day review. The 7 Sacred Pools are a part of this park as well as the crater. For $10.00 per car, you get entrance to both for 2 days. Sadly the pools were closed due to water conditions, but I must say, we had a great time walking around and taking pictures. I also used a porta-potty type thing for the what I think might be 2nd time in my life and I didn't puke, so there has to be something to say for this...

The Crater:
What a gorgeous place with gorgeous views! Just the day before we drove a bumpy road all around the other side of this volcano, so it was a welcome sight to my neck to have a smooth paved road to drive all the way up. We stopped at 2 of the 3 lookouts b/c the middle one was closed and all I can say is WOW. I am definitely in awe of nature.

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Elite '09

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Karen F.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
3/19/2009

DON'T MISS it!  Whether you take a tour on a bus, or rent bikes for a surise ride (bring a jacket and layer up!) you just can not miss this display of nature at its finest.

I will never forget Haleakala Crater and all of Maui for as long as I live.

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Elite '09

9

123

Dianne L.

Saint Charles, IL

4 star rating
5/14/2009

My husband and I are still kicking ourselves for not waking up early to see the sunrise here.  Also, tour groups offer a biking tour down the volcano too!  Eh, just two reasons for us to come back!

We did stop at hte Haleakala National Park at the end of our drive to Hana to visit the 7 Sacred Pools (actually 24!  and you can swim in them!!).  Admittance is $10 which includes parking in a grassy lot.  We saw a lot of cars just pulling over on the side of the road and walking the rest of the way.  Paying the 10 bucks is definitely worth the convenience and the pass is good for two days!

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Elite '09

39

183

Eugene H.

King of Prussia, PA

5 star rating
4/29/2009

Must do the sunrise! Get to the top lookout point which is open 24 hours, and watch the sunrise. Absolutely amazing! Dress warmly because it's crazy cold before the sun comes up at 10,000 feet above sea-level!
Call ahead to find out the average sunrise time and plan accordingly to get there ahead of time.

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Kathryn C.

Temple City, CA

5 star rating
3/18/2009

Fantastic. We decided to stay up on our last night in Maui and drive up to see the sunrise. Despite the windy drive, pitch black darkness (which was really scary at times) and general tiredness, being able to watch the sunrise over beautiful Maui was well worth it. The drive didn't take as long as I expected and there weren't many cars on the road. We arrived at the summit about an hour before sunrise so we took a little nap in the car. By the time we got out of the car and headed up to the observatory deck, the parking lot was PACKED! As reviewers below have already mentioned, it is COLD up there. FREEZING COLD. My bf didn't believe me when I warned him, but once we were standing outside, waiting for the sunrise, it was very gratifying to hear him say: You were right. It's EFFING cold.

What a great way to end our trip to Hawaii!

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Darcie N.

Honolulu, HI

5 star rating
3/17/2009 5 photos

Where my husband took me and proposed - 2/03/07 :)

...update: Just went last weekend for the sunrise. We took two friends along. It was so great that we are thinking of going every year as an anniversary. Recommend that you try to rent a big car or better yet - an SUV or Jeep or Hummer. Go up early and get to the top by 5am. This ensures a great view from the car. SInce you have a big car, everyone stretch out and nap. Someone should set their phone alarm just in case. Wear a jacket and jeans with some sneakers. If you can, take the sheets and pillows from your hotel room so you can be very comfortable in your car. And bring a good camera. The pictures from up there are priceless!

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30

jason t.

Jamaica, NY

5 star rating
5/29/2009

Ho Brah dis da place to go!!! make sure you wear extra undis caz da turtle went in 2inches.  Da sunset is da best in da world and da view is killaz.  If you going die da next day make sure you come to Haleakala and you will feel like you can die anytime afta dat!!!!  Its like i was in a different planet  up there. Beautiful absolutely Beautiful.

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Sally T.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
12/11/2008 1 photo

I'm glad I drove up 10,000 feet to see this at sunset!  No words can do this place justice.  it's amazing!!!  the drive could be scary for some, but i thought it was a fun drive.  just watch out for cows along the way and use your high beams so you can see them!!  oh yeah, don't tailgate.  i had an SOB tailgate me while i was coming down the mountain.  I stopped for a cow, he tried to go around me and almost hit the poor thing.  you're in maui, so chill!  

btw, bring a jacket...it's cold up at the summit.  i didn't have one but i sucked it up anyway because it was just so beautiful!

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Tamara P.

Honolulu, HI

5 star rating
12/1/2008

An absolute breathtaking experience!!  I highly recommend it, especially if it's your first time to Maui.  You get a great view no matter what time of day, but I highly stress that nothing is more gorgeous than seeing the summit at sunrise or sunset.  I prefer sunrise, but you do have to wake up extremely EARLY in the morning to fight slow traffic all the way to the top in COLD weather.  And don't forget to bring a jacket!!  I know, you're in Hawaii, but it gets REALLY COLD up there in the early morning.

Fortunately my girlfriend and I were able to take one of those bike tours (before they shut down) and bike all the way down Haleakala a few years back.  It was absolutely amazing and indescribable!!  You couldn't get a more refreshing experience.

A definite must see!!

Food:  N/A
Service:  N/A
Ambiance:  *****
Value:  *****

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Michael F.

Las Vegas, NV

5 star rating
6/25/2009

The drive to the summit totally blows away the Road to Hana. I like landscapes and nature so there was no way I was going up during the dark to see sunrise and no way I was going down in the dark after seeing sunset. So I went after lunch during a rainstorm. It was beautiful the whole way and once I got to 6000 feet there was nothing but sun and blue sky! The crater itself at the summit was a wondrous thing to behold. (The topless drunken whore at the visitor center was not. I hope the park ranger nailed her for indecent exposure and nauseating heterosexual men.) If i lived in Maui I would seriously consider living on this mountain. The views were great.

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Evan M.

Long Beach, CA

5 star rating
4/3/2009

The road is long and winding by Maui standards but this experience is worth it.
Bought my wife some Bonine for the trip, because I knew what to expect. My son passed out to sleep on the way there and the weather was cold and windy at the top.
But I would go every time, because I've been there when the weather is good and it is a natural beauty that you need to see.
Check the weather if you can, but never bank on it. Just commit to going and take your chances, you will be rewarded at least half the time with breathtaking views, whether at sunrise or any time.

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Elite '09

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338

Joy G.

Millville, NJ

5 star rating
5/30/2009 2 photos

What can I say that hasn't already been said?  Probably nothing original since 64 people have already written reviews.  But there's a reason why so many people go and feel the need to comment on their experience:  it's just that DAMN incredible.  I wish I could have appreciated it more at the time, but I was unprepared for how INCREDIBLY cold it was on the top of Mount Haleakala.  It's a long, dark, scary drive snaking up the volcano to get the top to see the sunrise.  But it's worth it, and much like the Road to Hana, you'll feel as though you've earned your stripes by making the trek.  Being above the clouds and witnessing the incredible beauty and starkness of the foreign terrain of a dormant volcano is truly humbling.

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Minah L.

Santa Clara, CA

5 star rating
7/17/2009

You have to go at sunrise!  I don't remember what time we left (this was 2 years ago), but really stinky early.  I remember thinking, "is this even worth it?"  It is definitely worth it!

We got there about 10 minutes before the sun crested over the horizon. We almost didn't make it b/c when we got to the top parking lot, we were turned away b/c it was full, so we had to park at a lower parking lot.  

simply gorgeous to see the sun peak over the horizon.  And the terrain is unwordly, like mars... just amazing.

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Jun B.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/10/2009

AMAZING.  This 10,000-foot volcano is so otherworldly and is definitely a must-see when visiting Maui.  From the town of Paia, the drive would probably take 1-1/2 hours.  Avoid the crowds during sunrise and drive up just before sunset.    It is just as beautiful (or even more) and the summit is definitely less crowded.  Don't forget to check out the Leileiwi lookout right before the summit.  This is an amazing view of the crater.  And the view on top at the summit is BREATHTAKING.

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Janell D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
2/11/2009 1 photo

Very neat place! You know that you are in for some kind of treat when you drive higher than 10,000 feet on a switchback highway.
Unfortunately for us the fog never rolled away so we had a pretty cloudy view of things, but it was still amazing.
We went to the very top- the observatory- and the staff up there was very nice and very knowledgeable.
Great photo opportunities even if you cant see the water- just amazing.
Be sure to bring cash with you if you plan to drive to the very top as there is a $10 fee to get in (minimal if you ask me- its breathtaking)!

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Lauren L.

Morganville, NJ

5 star rating
1/6/2009

You can't come to Maui without coming here!

It's one of the unique places in the world where you can can hypothermia and heat exhaustion in the same day! - quote stolen from a dear friend ;)

If you're going for the sunrise make sure you get here reallll early if you're looking for the first rays of light. Also, you can camp out at Hosmer Groove but it's still about 30 mins to the summit so make sure you wake up early enough to get there. Dress warm in layers, gloves and a hat is not over doing it. Bring lots of water with you if you're planning for a hike in the crater. They don't sell any water or food ontop so make sure you pack well!

For a full day and gorgeous hike, park the car at the hiking lot before you reach the summit. Hitchhike up to the summit, then take sliding sands down in the crater across the crater to Huela Cabin and then up the switch backs for a breath taking view. Make sure you take pictures of the silverswords and remember to stay on trail and not to disturb the fragile environment.  Have fun and be safe!

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Elite '09

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sri n.

Jenkintown, PA

5 star rating
10/18/2008

It is absolutely worth it to wake up at 2AM and drive up the crater to see the sunrise. Breathtaking!! Also, the drive up so early in the morning is simply an experience...you get to drive THROUGH the clouds!! WOW!!
The drive back down the crater is all really downhill. Put your car is low-gear. Also, MUST BRING a blanket or warm clothes. It is pretty cold up at the top!! Most of the nicer hotels offer an early morning breakfast plus blanket package for Haleakala trips.

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Elite '09

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402

Mike V.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/14/2008

And absolute trip.  only 10 bucks to get in too (unless you bring your Golden Eagle Pass).  And you can join the two-mile high club!  (just kidding)

But seriously, it's beautiful.  But it's a little cold for some people.  Lots of tourists using their towels for warmth.

I'll add to this review in a month or so when I've done the hike from Haleakala to Hana.

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Andrea R.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
6/22/2008

The only place in Hawaii where you'll need a hoodie, a fleece, and a jacket. I was freezing! And this is coming from a Chicago gal so all you Cali wimps may need some long underwear.

We woke up at 2:15 AM (not easy after a few drinks at Mama's Fish House the night before- I should have read Pete S's review beforehand!) and made the few hour drive to Haleakala National Park to see the sunrise. Like many drives we did in Maui this one was pretty scary as well- very narrow, steep, and of course it was pitch black. I figured I'd just sleep in the car while my husband drove, but instead I held my breath and kept my eyes on the nonexistent road ahead.

We got there about an hour before the sunrise (which happened at approximately 5:30 AM) and despite being freezing it was such a cool experience. They do have a glass area, which they call the bubble, where you can warm up a bit. Unfortunately, my husband was anti bubble and insisted on sitting outside in the cold so he could take 8 trillion pictures of the sunrise.  It really was the most beautiful sunrise ever- definitely worth freezing my ass off and being tired and cranky the rest of the day.

We were back at our hotel at 8 AM for the breakfast buffet and a day of snoozing at the pool...and it was especially cool to watch the sunset that night after seeing it rise about 14 hours beforehand!

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Elite '09

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379

Emily M.

Burlingame, CA

5 star rating
11/15/2008

So pretty here. Watching the sunset is a classic experience - do it!

Just remember that it's freaking cold up here. :)

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Richard P.

West Covina, CA

5 star rating
9/7/2008 2 photos

Back when I went to Maui in May of 2000, one of the biggest highlights of my trip was visiting the Haleakala National Park.  The park surrounds a dormant, 10,023 feet-high volcano on the eastern side of Maui.  What's cool about the park is that you get to travel all the way to the summit of the volcano.  The view from the top of this mountain is beyond description.  To make an understatement, the scenery from high above is AMAZING.

I'll never forget standing atop the summit of the Haleakala volcano (also known as the East Maui Volcano).  A thousand feet below is a reddish landscape pockmarked with several volcanic craters.  If you ever wanted to visit Mars, standing on this landscape would make you think you were really there.  I'm actually NOT exaggerating.  And beyond the landscape, across the horizon, are layers of clouds that span across the Pacific Ocean.  Did I mention that the clouds are BELOW you?  That's how high up you are.  

To put it in perspective: If you ever go skydiving, you normally jump from an altitude of 10,000 feet.  So if you strapped on a parachute and jumped off the edge of the East Maui Volcano, it would take you the same amount of time to freefall (60 seconds) as it would if you leaped out of a plane.  If that ain't crazy...I don't know WHAT is.

What was amazing about being on the summit of the East Maui Volcano (also known as the Haleakala Crater, haha) is the fact that it was still warm enough for me to wear shorts...which I did!  There was a considerable breeze, but I wasn't shivering when I was walking around the summit.  In terms of what's on the summit, there's a viewing tower where you can hang out inside (and escape the breeze) and gaze at displays that show what kinds of animals, insects and vegetation are found across the Haleakala Crater.  There's also a table that has a stack of free certificates (at least when I went) that commemorate your visit to this park.  Just write or type your name on the certificate, and you have something to frame on your wall back home.

Across from the viewing tower are a series of observatories used by the U.S. Air Force and astronomers.  Seeing as how I'm a huge astronomy and military buff, it sure would've been cool to take a look inside those observatories.  Unfortunately, this area was gated off.  Oh well.

One thing to keep in mind if you ever visit Haleakala National Park is the long windy road you have to take to drive up to the summit.  BE CAUTIOUS: Mountain bikers will constantly speed past you as they head downhill on the opposite lane.  Other than that--oh, and drive slowly on the way down to avoid burning your car's brakes--be prepared to have a very memorable experience being high above the clouds, and feeling like you're on another planet as you visit the Haleakala Crater.  Or East Maui Volcano.  Whatever you want to call it, haha. =)

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99

Anna T.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
12/7/2008

Gorgeous.

So quite up there. Bring a sweatshirt!  The air is cold at 10,000 feet.  We drove up the volcano ourselves and enjoyed a quick 90 minute drive from Ka'anapali.

The drive is not bad, very pretty, but beware of bikers.  

Once you are up there enjoy it and take your time.  Remember to bring water with you and if you hike to the crater be prepared for a challenging hike back up, especially if you are not accustomed to altitude.

Gorgeous views though and definitely worth the workout.

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Elite '09

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Lindley E.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
7/13/2008

We are pretty low key when it comes to activity during vacation, so we didn't wake for a sunrise drive up the 10,000 ft high dormant volcano. Instead we set out at midday, and managed to take in some incredibly breathtaking vistas of Maui and the surrounding upcountry along the way.

Admission to the park is $10 per car. For those coming on foot, bike, or mule, there's a $5 per person charge.

Bring something warm on your drive - temperatures plunge about 30 degrees Fahrenheit - or about 3 degrees for every thousand feet. Don't forget - air is thinner at 10,000 feet and you'll be short of breath until you acclimate to it.

It takes a good hour to drive up the hill, so plan accordingly. Up at the top is a very informative visitor center, and on clear days, incredible views of the crater and the surrounding park.

There are well-maintained trails and campsites for those more outdoorsy than I who want to make their visit into an adventure. The National Park Service has up-to-date information on trail conditions.

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Elite '09

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Michael K.

Scotch Plains, NJ

5 star rating
12/29/2008 1 photo

I admit that in numerous trips to Maui, my wife and I have never been willing to get up in the middle of the night, drive up there in the pitch dark and questionable weather, and freeze our asses off to watch the sunrise. Read the other reviews for a description of that experience.
What I want to explain is that if you drive up after breakfast on a clear morning, you can still have an awesome adventure (don't wait until later in the day, it usually clouds up).The drive is easier, because you can see where you are going, enjoy the views, and it's not as cold, so if you have rented a convertible car, you can make the trip up to the summit with the top down wearing just a sweater or a sweatshirt.
There are three places to stop before you reach the summit. The first is the vistor's center at 7,000'. You can learn a bit about the park, and also hit the rest rooms, if necessary. The next stop is the Leleiwi Overlook at 8,800'. The third stop is the Kalahaku Overlook at 9,300'. The view into the crater from this point is far better than from the summit itself.
You should even be able to see the snow-capped mountains of Moana Loa and Moana Kea on the big island of Hawaii nearly a hundred miles away, unless "vog" (volcanic haze from Kilauea) has obscured the view.
After visiting the summit, you can head back down into Kula, and enjoy some of the other interesting places to visit, such as the lavender farm, the protea farm, the tropical gardens, or the goat farm.
Have a bite to eat at Grandma's Coffee House or the Kula Lodge. If you stop at the Kula Lodge, take a few minutes to visit the incredible Curtis Wilson Cost art gallery on the lower level.

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Michael Y.

San Jose, CA

2 star rating
5/5/2009

It was not as far as i thought it would be.  It took me exactly an hour to drive from Kahana to the park entrance.  Although it is a national park, it is ridiculous that they charge $10 a vehicle just to watch the sunrise.  absolutely ridiculous!!!  I wish i got to see the sunrise without the obstruction of the clouds.  Maybe next time it'll be a better experience.  Just be sure to pack a jacket to keep you warm as the temperature was just above freezing but very strong winds.  Take a snowboarding or mountaineering jacket with a liner if you have one!  trust me...you'll need it!

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Elite '09

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Jeremy S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
12/2/2007 2 photos

We drove over to Haleakala from our hotel in Wailea, I think it took us about an hour or so to get up here. If you run into fog and cloudy views, don't worry, ultimately you'll be far above the cloud cover. The summit is about 10,000 feet up which is a big change in altitude so you're likely to feel it, especially at the observation tower (right by the telescopes).

We did a quick hike at Sliding Sands trail, the views were very cool. The scenery reminded me of the photos that came back from the Mars lander. Very barren, lots of blacks and reds. The scale is immense, check out the pics and see for yourself.

Important tips:

1. Pack some warmth, it gets really cold up there. I saw frozen water at the summit, no joke!

2. Bring food and water, there is nothing to buy in the park. Totally ridiculous (imho) that you can't get a cliff bar at any of the visitor centers, but oh well that's how it is...

3. If you get altitude sickness easily, you may start to feel weird. I definitely felt a little lightheaded at the summit.

Glad we made it up there, so I say it's worth a look for you too.

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116

231

Kapuakea k.

Honolulu, HI

5 star rating
9/3/2008 4 photos

If you're planning on watching the sunrise - DRESS WARMLY!! A Ski jacket, hat, gloves would be ideal. I froze my butt off because I only wore a sweatshirt.

Definitely recommend the sunrise. Wake up early (we left our Kahului hotel at 3:45 am) so you get there early. Parking fills up quick too!

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Elite '09

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Beverly M.

Oregon City, OR

4 star rating
11/23/2008

Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband that just follows my travel itenerary to the T. So when I said we needed to get up at 2:30am and head for a volcano, he did it. Dark, very windy drive up a mountain. We didn't think to bring anything warm. There was frost on the ground. We waited about 15 minutes then it happened. The sun came out of the ocean and began to light up the crater. It was magnificent. I would have liked to stay and explore but 10 minutes later my husband said "let's go" I'm not getting stuck behind a bunch of damn bicyclists on the way down. So we left. At least I can say I saw it.

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