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I took a road trip and visited Haleakala National Park in Maui. I stood above the clouds on the dormant volcano at over 10,000 feet above sea level.
It was one of the most unique landscapes I’ve ever seen. Plus, the drive there was filled with beautiful views of the island.
I’ll tell you about my experience, what to know and expect, and share some personal photos from my adventure. You might want to see it too!
Getting There
First, you need to get to Maui, and you can take a direct flight. I flew into Honolulu and then took a small plane to Maui.
It was a beautiful sight flying over the island. The vivid blue and green colors of the waters bled like a picture.
Staying in Maui
While in Maui, I stayed near Kihei, where you can find lower-priced hotels. Overall, the hotels aren’t that cheap.
Anyway, I stayed close to the South Maui Gardens. Close by is the Kihei Food Oasis, a popular place to eat.
Before going on the road trip, I grabbed lunch at a food truck. The lady who owned the truck told me she had moved from Mexico to Maui years ago.
Road Trip to Haleakala
To get to the volcano, you must rent a car or sign up with a tourism company. The national park is nowhere close to the hotels.
Driving on Route 378 to Haleakala Crater will lead you through many picture-perfect sights. It takes about 2 hours, and you’ll want to make some stops.
The roads are nicely paved along the way and you’ll want to mind the speed limit. I saw wildlife and people riding bikes.
And the whole drive to the summit was very scenic. I walked around on the shore, and also saw lush vegetation, cows, and farm animals along the way.
As I ascended, the clouds rolled into the landscape!
The weather quickly changed from hot, dry weather to rainy and cold. Then it warmed up to only get much colder.
If you bring layers, it’s easier to work with this. I actually wished I had brought more clothing.
Visiting Haleakala National Park
After finally arriving at the national park, you will need to pay to enter. I was ready to get out of the car and explore.
You will see a sign for the Haleakala Visitor Center. You can park there or drive a little and park at the summit.
These are the things I saw and did while visiting. I stayed a couple hours.
Visitor Center
At the visitor center, I learned more about Haleakala. They also sell sweatshirts in case you need more clothes—and I bought one.
A ranger asked for my name. He said how ironic it was for me, the moon, to visit the “House of the Sun.”
That’s what the name Haleakala means in Hawaiian. Ha! I love it!
Hiking Trails
There are a few hiking trails throughout the park, but I only went on a short hike. I saw some cool plants that looked like they belonged on Mars.
The ranger told me that visitors can see unique things, like rare wildlife, by going on a long hike. The one he spoke of was around 11 miles, so he said it’s best to start early.
I saw people in down jackets and wished I had one myself. My little denim jacket, though soft and trendy, didn’t protect me against the cold winds.
Beautiful Views
It was such a beautiful site at the top with the reddish volcanic rocks. If I were visiting Mars, this is how I picture it would look like.
Standing above the clouds was simply amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to the pillowy mounds in the sky.
On the website, you can make a reservation to watch a sunrise. That is another thing I’d like to do someday. The early bird catches the worm!
You don’t have to make a reservation to watch a sunset, though. The Summit District is always open, so you can do some night viewing.
Travel Notes
Near the hotels and beaches, the summer temperature topped out at 95°. So, you can bet that I was wearing shorts.
But when driving to Haleakala, you might need more clothes. It’s at a higher elevation, so expect cooler weather.
I didn’t think it’d be as cold as it was. So, don’t go on the road trip with only your beach duds. Bring a coat or sweatshirt because it will cool down!
It’s best to have layers of clothing because of the weather changes. We ran into rain, so an umbrella wouldn’t hurt.
And if you plan on hiking at the volcano, bring some hiking shoes and a water bottle. It doesn’t hurt to bring trail mix and snacks too.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Haleakala National Park was among the most unique places I’ve ever seen. But the next time I visit Maui, I’ll plan a longer trip.
I’d like to explore more of the hiking trails and see more of the volcano. And perhaps, catching a sunset isn’t a bad idea too!
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- Speaking of the scenery, take a look at some of the beautiful views in Hawaii.
- If you plan to visit Oahu, I’ll tell you about things to do on the island.
- And for exploring Honolulu, I have you covered for that area.
- If you want to stay around Waikiki, I’ll tell you about things to do there too.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: January 22, 2025
