OutReserve

Haleakalā National Park (cabin Permits)

view of crater, orange and black cinder hills with clouds and a low rainbow
Haleakalā National Park (cabin Permits)
Haleakalā National Park (cabin Permits)
Haleakalā National Park (cabin Permits)
Haleakalā National Park (cabin Permits)

About Haleakalā National Park (cabin Permits)

Located on the island of Maui, Haleakalā National Park maintains three wilderness cabins for visitor use-- Hōlua, Palikū, and Kapalaoa. All cabins are accessible only by trail from the summit area and require you to hike a minimum of 3.7 mi (5.9 km). Backcountry users must plan to enter the park entrance for their stay no earlier than 7 am unless they have also obtained a sunrise reservation granting access to the park between 3 and 7 am. Sunrise reservations can be made on recreation.gov.  Horses, mules, and donkeys are permitted as pack animals on the Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail, Halemauʻu Trail, and Supply Trail. If planning to travel by pack animal--please notify park staff upon making reservation. All waste produced by pack animals must be removed from parking areas and trailheads. No group may have more than 12 pack animals. Riders, commercial operators, and owners are responsible for the removal of dead or injured stock within 72 hours. Pets of any other kind are prohibited on all trails. Hōlua Cabin, located at 6,940 ft (2,115 m) is nestled at the base of the crater wall in the shrubland near Koʻolau Gap. This is the cabin reached by the shortest hike. Hōlua is 3.7 mi (6 km) one way down the Halemauʻu trail or 7.4 mi one way (12 km) from the Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) trailhead. Visitors staying at Hōlua can enjoy day hikes further into the crater. The landscape around Hōlua supports a native shrubland which colonizes the lava flows. A wilderness tent camp area is located nearby.  Palikū Cabin located at 6,380 ft (1,945 m) is on the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. This cabin is reached via a strenuous 9.3 mi (15 km) one way hike on the Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 10.4 mi (17 km) one way hike on the Halemauʻu Trail. Clouds and fog often roll over the top of the cliffs behind Palikū, and rain is common. The extra moisture makes this spot exceptionally cool and lush. A wilderness tent camp area is located nearby.  Kapalaoa Cabin located at 7,250 ft (2,210 m) is perched near the Kaupō Gap on the southern end of the wilderness valley. This cabin is reached via a 5.6 mi (2.7 km) hike via Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 7.2 mi (11.6 km) hike on the Halemauʻu Trail. Kapalaoa is located in a grass field and is not accompanied by a wilderness tent area.  Message of Cultural Sensitivity: Upon entering Haleakalā National Park, you are a guest of the Hawaiian culture, which considers the entire area sacred. Each person should behave as if entering a temple or reverent place in his or her own culture or belief system. The rocks, the plants and even the silence are part of the sacredness and should not be disturbed. For Native Hawaiians, Haleakalā represents an important place within their culture. 

Number of accommodations: 3

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
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Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul
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Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Sites & Availability

3 Sites Available

Site
Price
🏠 Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin
12 guests
$75.00
/ per night
🏠 Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin
12 guests
$75.00
/ per night
🏠 Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin
12 guests
$75.00
/ per night

Reviews (173)

What Guests Are Saying

Haleakalā National Park offers an incredible, otherworldly experience, with stunning views and a magical atmosphere, especially when staying in the rustic cabins. Many visitors appreciate the well-maintained trails and helpful park staff, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature. However, some cabins need maintenance, and issues with propane and cleanliness have been reported, highlighting the importance of packing accordingly and being mindful of the environment. Overall, the uniqueness of the park and the beauty of the night sky make it a memorable destination.

Review Summary

4.4
173 reviews
5
67.6%
117
4
17.3%
30
3
6.4%
11
2
3.5%
6
1
5.2%
9

Kirk B

Verified

January 25, 2020 Stayed at: Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin

1

Don't come here. It's too crowded already.

Martina L

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin

1

If you call to ask about anything you will be connected to someone on mainland who doesn’t even know where Haleakala is. You won’t get any information. If you are a foreigner make sure to ask about lock code for cabin. It was never given to my dad and he was never able to get into cabin. Very disappointing

Aaron M

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin

5

We hiked down from the top of Haleakala to Kaupo with two nights at a cabin in the middle. I had asked the rangers some questions about logistics beforehand. They got back to me, and then when we checked in were helpful and friendly. The cabins are great.

Elizabeth E

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin

5

Paliku is absolutely amazing!! I am so grateful to have had this experience

Adrian B

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin

5

What a magical and fantastical experience. We hiked in starting from the Halemau'u Trailhead after our orientation (at the Haleakalā National Park Summit Entrance). The weather was off-and-on raining, and by the time we got there we were pretty wet, but in my opinion, there's nothing better than drying off by a warm stove with some good food. The cabin is loaded with tons of utensils/tools (at least 4 different ways to make coffee), and more lighters than you could probably use in a year! We tried our best to keep things crumb-free, and actually hung up any of the food we had in a little bag from one of the ropes we were using to dry out clothes, but our litte mouse friend still came out to say hi! A bit before sunrise I got up to make coffee so that we could walk a bit to get a better view of the sunrise, brrrr it was chilly! Then a lazy morning of packing up while hanging out with the nene geese that stopped by to say hello. Can't recommend this place enough; if you ever get the chance to go - do!

Randall K

Verified

January 24, 2020 Stayed at: Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin

5

Everything was great.

Kevin L

Verified

January 18, 2020 Stayed at: Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin

5

This is an amazing experience! A one-night stay with two days of hiking is enough to explore almost all the trails up in the park. My one thing that was unclear was that each cabin can only be booked by one party, rather than booked up to the total number of people the cabin holds.

Andrea W

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin

5

We had a perfect time!

Hayden H

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin

1

....LOGS WERE GONE! COLD AS HECK.! Propane gone, unable to heat water or food! Thanks for ripping my family off once again! Unused cabins sit vacant while people are looking for cancelations.......Short version= complete fail...!

Michael T

Verified

January 13, 2020 Stayed at: Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin

5

Amazing place, staying at Hosmer Grove was a good choice if you're planning to camp inside the crater overnight since in the morning you can watch the sunrise and then plan to hike in. Sunrise is amazing, but extremely crowded, you'll fight throngs of people to get a decent view. Sunset is also quite beautiful, and of course much less crowded. Downsides of going the cabin route: 1. they are often booked the same day they are released, very competitive to get a permit, 2. you have to wait until the main office opens to get your cabin permits, so we had to backtrack after watching the sunrise instead of directly hiking in, 3. the provided "firelogs" are pretty sad, essentially compacted sawdust that are difficult to start and burn through quite fast so you have to tend the fire quite frequently. Positives of the cabins 1: less gear to pack in since you'll have a roof over your head and there is plenty of cooking gear and a propane stove.

Location Haleakalā National Park (cabin Permits)

Address:
Po Box 369
Makawao, HI, 96768
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 20.7097 / -156.164

Elevation: 2040 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Entry and Wood Locker Codes: Each of the cabins and wood lockers are secured with a combination lock. Codes for the locks will be sent from hale_interpretation@nps.gov to the email address listed on the reservation 1-2 weeks in advance of the first night on the reservation.If you are making a reservation within two weeks of your first night due to a cancellation, contact hale_interpretation@nps.gov or call 808-572-4400 to obtain entry and wood locker codes. Please contact the park as soon as booking is complete since park staff may not be available for last minute code requests.Park staff are not available in the backcountry to assist groups who do not have the codes or are locked out. Permit holders assume all responsibility for ensuring they have the codes before heading into the backcountry.

General

Cabin Guidelines: All garbage, food, and personal gear must be packed out. Check-in/check-out time is NOON. Respect other visitors' right to quiet and solitude--quiet hours are 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Visitors to the cabins are advised to sanitize before and after use utilizing their own cleaning supplies that should be packed out. Cabins should be left clean and fire completely out. LOCK DOORS and windows when you leave. You may be fined for dirty or damaged cabins or denied future access. Graffiti on the natural and constructed environment is considered vandalism and will be prosecuted. Cabin is for the EXCLUSIVE USE of permittee and registered guests. Campers are told to respect cabin user privacy and should not be let in.

General

Reservation Permit. A printed copy of the reservation MUST be held by the reservation holder at all times. Reservations are non-transferable. The reservation holder is legally responsible for the actions and safety of the group. Leave an itinerary and guest list with a friend. If you are renting a vehicle- please enter “Rental” in the license plate form field. When you arrive on island, you MUST log back into recreation.gov to enter your rental car plate. Once your permit is printed you cannot edit your license plates. Email hale_interpretation@nps.gov with updated license plate information if unable to update online.

General

Facilities. All three cabins offer pit toilets and non-potable water. You must filter or treat water before drinking. Each cabin has a wood-burning stove, a two-burner propane stove, and 12 padded bunks. Bring a lighter or matches. During drought, you must pack in all your water. No electricity in the cabins. There is no cell service in the wilderness.

General

Wood and Propane Supply. Locker number(s) and combination(s) will be issued by park staff via email to the email account listed on the reservation from the hale_interpretation@nps.gov account. The park cannot guarantee that propane or wood will be available. A fire starter is recommended if intending to utilize the wood stove. Extra logs and fire starters are available for purchase at the Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,740ft).

General

Essentials. First aid kit, trail map, compass, extra food, extra water (3 - 4 liters per person/day), flashlight, headlight with extra batteries, tent/shelter with rain fly, sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat), sleeping bag, emergency blanket, extra layers (rain jacket/pants), pocket knife, and gear repair kit.

General

Fires. Open fires or gathering firewood is NOT allowed. Fires are permitted in the wood stove only. Don't move firewood from outside the park. The park provides three logs per night. Extra logs are available for purchase at the Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,740ft). Do not give out logs to campers.

General

Entrance Fee. A separate park entrance fee, valid for three days, is required. The park honors interagency passes.

General

Stay on Trails. Hiking off trail and short-cutting switchbacks is prohibited and subject to citation. Off-trail hiking causes erosion and damages fragile and/or endangered life forms that are not readily apparent to the casual observer.

General

Restrictions. NO pets, firearms or wheeled vehicles. NO feeding or harassment of wildlife. NO picking plants, disturbing rocks, building cairns.

General

Visited Hawaii Island or Kauai recently? All gear, especially shoes must be cleaned thoroughly to prevent rapid ʻōhia death (ROD) Wiping down gear with a 70% alcohol solution is recommeneded to satisfy this requirement.

General

Kaupō Gap Trail: The Kaupō Gap Trail leaves the boundary of Haleakalā National Park and is not maintained by the NPS. Hikers assume all risk on this rugged, unmaintained, and brushy trail. At times, the trail can be difficult to follow or find. Several hikers have become disoriented, lost, or injured while navigating this trail. NPS officials highly recommend travel on either the Halemauʻu or Keoneheʻeheʻe Trails to access Haleakalā Crater.

General

No Camping: Camping outside the cabin in non-designated camping space is prohibited

General

Pack Animals: If planning to travel by pack animal--please notify park staff upon making your reservation to ensure sufficient paddock space is available. All waste produced by pack animals must be removed from parking areas and trailheads. No group may have more than 12 pack animals. Riders, commercial operators, and owners are responsible for the removal of dead or injured stock within 72 hours. Pets of any other kind are prohibited on all trails.

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