Haleakalā National Park (Cabin Permits) Near Makawao, HI

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view of crater, orange and black cinder hills with clouds and a low rainbow

view from above of cabin against a sloping cliff, fog drifting in the background

backpacker walks up to cabin at the base of a hill

view of cabin surrounded by grass and tall cliff behind

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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 (3.7 mi). 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 6.9 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 (3.7 mi) one way down the Halemauʻu trail or 7.4 mi one way (7.5 mi) 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 6.4 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 (9.3 mi) one way hike on the Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 10.4 mi (10.6 mi) 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 7.3 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 (1.7 mi) hike via Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 7.2 mi (7.2 mi) 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.

Available sites

3 total sites

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Activities & Attractions

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Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

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Open year round

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

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Rates, Sites & Availability

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3 Sites Available

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🏠 Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin Cabin

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12 guests

🏠 Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin Cabin

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12 guests

🏠 Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin Cabin

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12 guests

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🏠 Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin Cabin

12 guests

🏠 Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin Cabin

12 guests

🏠 Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin Cabin

12 guests

Reviews

204 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Haleakalā National Park offers a breathtaking and magical experience, especially for those who stay in the cabins. Many visitors praised the stunning night skies, unique landscapes, and well-maintained trails, making the backpacking journey memorable. However, some cabins, particularly Paliku and Holua, showed signs of wear and lacked essential supplies like toilet paper and wood, which detracted from the experience for some guests. Overall, the park's natural beauty and tranquility make it a worthwhile destination for adventure seekers.

Based on guest feedback

4.4

Overall rating

Based on 204 reviews

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5 stars 65.2% (133)

4 stars 19.6% (40)

3 stars 5.9% (12)

2 stars 4.9% (10)

1 star 4.4% (9)

Showing 194 reviews

Verified Only

Oldest First

Newest First Oldest First

Dawn J

Verified

January 22, 2023 Stayed at: Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin

Such a special place!

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David J

Verified

January 25, 2023 Stayed at: Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin

The location of the cabin is nothing less than spectacular.
Things to know that may not be readily apparent:
The bunks have mattress pads; save weight on pads.
Check the forecast, but be prepared.
The wood stove pumps out heat, 3 “logs” will heat the place to sweltering. Firestarters definitely recommended.

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Jonathan B

Verified

February 9, 2023 Stayed at: Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin

Good to be prepared with extra rain gear

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Deborah L

Verified

February 28, 2023 Stayed at: Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin

Still very difficult to get presto logs lit, bring lots of fire starters, since there is no kindling or paper in the cabin. Otherwise the cabins are very comfortable and the crater is, as always, spectacular.

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Aprille-Grace M

Verified

March 5, 2023 Stayed at: Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin

Our backpacking weekend was awesome! Seeing the clouds in and out of the crater made the views even more stunning.

Good tip to know: Visitor center opens at 8:30am so if you want to get last minute advice from the rangers, plan your drive/start time accordingly. Gaiters helped on sliding sands trail. The cabin and outhouses were very clean. The lowest temp we experienced was 43 deg.

This was a Blaeautiful place and we were blessed to see this national park. We also enjoyed seeing all the native flora and fauna.

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Mary B

Verified

March 7, 2023 Stayed at: Holua Cabin, Loop: Holua Cabin

Our stay was wonderful as usual but the weather was quite wet and windy which we anticipated prior to going in. Will return again and try for the summer months.

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Cedric L

Verified

March 7, 2023 Stayed at: Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin

The cabin reservation system works. We were able to get 2 cabins for a total of 3 nights and four days. The weather was bad the day we hiked out. But you have to be ready for anything = 40+ mph winds and horizontal rain and the trail was ankle deep in water. We made it and will never forget the experience. Thank you!

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Mary B

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March 8, 2023 Stayed at: Paliku Cabin, Loop: Paliku Cabin

weather was crazy wet and cold with high winds! BUT I have had many cabin stays in the crater so it was all good.

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mary b

Verified

March 9, 2023 Stayed at: Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin

The weather did not really allow for being outside once we made it to the cabin, wet, windy and cold. Cabin is super comfortable and has a new floor! Always good to see R&M done on these special cabins. A note regarding the out house, its looking quite full, maybe needs some attention to that. The front cabin door appears swollen and was very difficult to open, give it a hard push once unlocked and it took some time to shut it completely to secure the lock upon departing. Otherwise we will be back!

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Keith B

Verified

March 20, 2023 Stayed at: Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop: Kapalaoa Cabin

Stayed at Kapalaoa Cabin March 14-16. Cabins were renovated during COVID. It was in nice shape and definetly worth the 2 year wait. There was propane for the stove , pots, pans and dishes. I actually got a fire going the first night! I think the compressed wood it doable if you un-compress it! It was nice to see there was kindling provided but you still good a steady flame to get is going as well. There are new nylon covered sleeping pads as well which were easy to wipe down. One negative was the front door of the cabin. It was really hard to close from the outside enough to engage the throw bolt. I can see people having a hard time securing it properly. Oh if you close it too much from the inside you will not be able to open it. Had to exit the back door to open the front from outside. Other than that it was a great experience!

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Location & Directions for Haleakalā National Park (Cabin Permits)

Po Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768 United States

Elevation: 2,040 ft

Map of Haleakalā National Park (Cabin Permits) location at Makawao, HI, United States

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Getting There

Getting There (GPS Info):

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude( (NAD83)

N-20.7689599

W-156.2430039

Directions to the Summit Area (mountain and crater): There are brown information signs along the way. From Kahului, take Hana Highway (SR36) and trave...

Highway access

The campground is accessible via Hana Highway (SR36) and Haleakala Highway (SR37), which connect to State Highway 377 leading to Crater Road.

Near Haleakalā National Park

The closest entrance is: Summit District Entrance Station

Approximate drive: 8 mi · 14 min

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

12PM

Check out time

12PM

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.
All garbage, food, and personal gear must be packed out. Respect other visitors' right to quiet and solitude-- 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.
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 [email protected] with updated license plate information if unable to update online.
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.
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 [email protected] 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).
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.
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.
Entrance Fee. A separate park entrance fee, valid for three days, is required. The park honors interagency passes.
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.
Restrictions. NO pets, firearms or wheeled vehicles. NO feeding or harassment of wildlife. NO picking plants, disturbing rocks, building cairns.
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.
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.
No Camping: Camping outside the cabin in non-designated camping space is prohibited
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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