Haleakala National Park
Haleakala National Park at a Glance
Haleakala National Park, located on the Maui Island, in Hawaii, is home to the endangered Hawaiian geese and dormant Haleakala Volcano. The steep crater overlooks the Kalahaku and Leleiki..Road offers vistas across the West Maui Mountains. Find waterfalls and freshwater pools amid bamboo forest. Admire cinder cones and lava flows while taking rugged trails in the Summit District.
9 Top Exciting Things to Do in Haleakala National Park
1. Observe the Sunrise/Sunset
This happens to be a most popular activity with many visitors. Why? Imagine seeing the sun put on a show of dancing over the landscape with vibrant colors.
Though most people choose to watch the sunrise, the sunset is quite as nice, if not nicer.
Also, you must decide whether to go independent to the summit or book a tour. If you opt to come without a tour, arm yourself with the Haleakala sunrise and sunset times. The "sun show" won't disappoint.
2. Hiking
Haleakala's summit trails offer from easy scenic walks to more adventurous hikes for hardcore explorers. For example, Sliding Sands Trail is a wonderful hike, and though not intended for inexperienced hikers, the vistas are stunning and unmatched.
If you are out for beautiful scenery but do not want such a physically demanding hike, try the Supply Trail or Hosmer Grove Loop Trail. You'll love green vegetation, pine, eucalyptus, and cedar trees.
Whichever trail you take, bear in mind that this park is a landscape constantly changing and conditions could be unpredictable. Thus, do not forget to take snacks, water, and other hiking necessities. Put on warm clothes, bring sunscreen, a hiking pole, and always proceed well rested.
3. Skywatching
Covering from sunset, sunrise, stargazing, and more in between, skywatching during your trip on the Haleakala summit is the ideal activity for all visitors.
On your climb up the summit, halt at any of the several overlooks throughout the path to the peak, walk a little away from the crowded places, and admire as the clouds shape before you. In several locations, the visual horizon is as many as 115 miles out to sea.
Do not worry about cloudy conditions., for even cloudy skies offer a ton of amazing vistas from moonbows, rainbows to halos around one's own shadow.
If you are going to the summit during the night, know the sky conditions are spectacular for identifying planets, stars, and moons. Get a star map at the Haleakala Visitor Center and map out the perfect nightly sky trip.
4. Cycling
Only being present in Haleakala is a real treat, but is your idea of a thrill more like riding down Haleakala on a bicycle? You can either rent a bike or just book a Haleakala bicycle tour to descend the 21 switchbacks on the western slopes of the mountain. Enjoy the thrills, extraordinary scenery, elevation shift, and the close and personal manner to appreciate the House of the Sun.
5. Horseback Riding
Cowboys and Hawaii might not appear in your mind, but any trip to Upcountry Maui says you're in the landscape of the Paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboy. Even if you might not be an experienced rider, you'll definitely love your majestic host carrying you through the winding trails to take in incredible sights of the rolling hills, coastline, and the pretty fauna and flora that surround you. Horseback riding allows you to breathe the fresh air, create lifetime memories, and make friends with a four-legged animal.
6. Ziplining
Now you can see the sights as you soar above the treetops. A Haleakala Zipline Tour is just unrivaled in adrenaline and pure pleasure. Best of all, ziplining Haleakala is a fantastic activity for the whole family.
And if you consider zipping is exciting, mix things up a little with a Haleakala Bike n' Zip Combo Tour which will have you observing the famed Haleakala sunrise, thundering down the mountain on a bicycle, and then zipping like a real pro.
Whether you're an experienced zipper or a beginner, nothing's better than exploring the lovely lands of Upcountry Maui on a thrilling zipline adventure.
7. Touring by Helicopter
The valley Isle of Maui keeps a number of her gems somewhat concealed. With numerous distant areas, moonlike landscapes, deep valleys, lava flows, and much more, observing all this during a single tour is humanly impossible.
Unless you board a helicopter via the Hana Haleakala Helicopter Tour. Just sit back and enjoy a great view of many sights from the towering cinder cones to the lava flowing, lush Hana rainforest, coastline waterfalls to taro fields. A helicopter tour of the Kipahulu region and Haleakala summit is a fun adventure you won't forget soon.
8. Camping
Haleakala is the ideal place to camp as well as explore as you wish. While in the summit area, hikers could enjoy 2 wilderness campsites: Paliku, situated around 9.3 miles along Sliding Sands Trail; and Holua, situated around 3.7 miles down the Halemauu Trail. Bear in mind that weather may change very rapidly at these higher altitudes, so be fully prepared.
If you are not so physically inclined, go to one of the park's two drive-up campsites: Hosmer Grove Campground, located below the Haleakala cloud belt within the summit area; Kipahulu Campground, situated along the back side of the park.
Whether you decide to drive in or hike in, camping in Haleakala is a really special experience.
9. Spotting Endangered Species
A high 80% of Haleakala National Park is federally designated as wilderness and houses not only some of Hawaii's but the rarest animals and plants in the world. In actuality, the park is home to more endangered species than any other national park.
Do not miss seeing the Hawaii silverswords, which is a truly unique plant that could take up to fifty years to bloom only once and then dies. You might also catch sight of the state bird, the nene, or Hawaiian goose. Using a Maui Haleakala Tour is a great way to find these rare species and learn about their unique qualities. Only remember: Never stray from marked trails, never feed wildlife, and respectfully treat all Haleakala's residents.
