Haleakalā Summit Area

Haleakalā National Park


Perched on the crater rim at 9745ft, the visitor center is the park’s main viewing spot. Sun, shadow and clouds reflecting on the crater floor create a mesmerizing dance of light and color. The parking lot gets packed ahead of sunrise and sunset, and it stays pretty full in between. Leave the crowds behind by doing the 10-minute hike up Pa Kaʻoao (White Hill), which begins at the eastern side of the visitor center and provides stunning views.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Haleakalā National Park attractions

1. Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) Overlook

0.41 MILES

You may find yourself standing above the clouds while exploring Puʻuʻulaʻula (10,023ft), Maui’s highest point. The summit building provides a top-of-the…

2. Magnetic Peak

0.44 MILES

The iron-rich cinders in this flat-top hill, which lies immediately southeast of the summit building (in the direction of Hawaiʻi, the Big Island), pack…

3. Science City

0.68 MILES

As the sun rises, this collection of domed observatories shimmers just beyond the summit. Nicknamed Science City, this area is, unfortunately, off-limits…

4. Kalahaku Overlook

1.8 MILES

Don’t miss this one. Kalahaku Overlook (9324ft), 0.8 miles beyond Leleiwi Overlook, offers a bird’s-eye view of the crater floor and the ant-size hikers…

5. Leleiwi Overlook

2.36 MILES

For your first jaw-dropping look into the crater and its cinder cones, stop at Leleiwi Overlook (8840ft), midway between the Park Headquarters Visitor…

6. Haleakalā National Park

2.36 MILES

No trip to Maui is complete without visiting this national park containing the mighty volcano that gave rise to East Maui. The volcano's floor measures a…

7. Pele’s Paint Pot Lookout

3.4 MILES

Along the loop trail south of Kawilinau, and accessible via Halemauʻu Trail and Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail, this is the crater’s most brilliant…

8. Kawilinau

3.48 MILES

Legend says that the pit leads down to the sea, though the National Park Service says it’s just 65ft deep.

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