Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)

Great experience camping at Haleakala (Paliku and Holua). Very different experience to camp rather than doing just a day hike. Paliku - beautiful green area with trees flanked with pali and view out Kaupo Gap. Lots of birds. Campsites are in the vicinity of the cabin. Holua - campsites are further away from cabin and open area. Outhouse at Paliku is better than the one offered for campers at Holua, but both had TP! One picnic table for campers at Paliku, but it was placed in one tent site so not really available to other campers. Since no one was at the ranger cabin, we did use that picnic table. No table for campers at Holua. Website says each campsite holds two tents, but several campsites are quite small. Expect to have tent right next to tent. Paliku - Campsites are not clearly marked, sign turned around. Take copy of campsite layout from website. Holua campsite 1 has more room and views. Group campsite at Holua could hold 3 small tents close to each other. Campsites 3 and 4 really have only one tent site. Campsite 2 has rock wall surrounding it. Not sure if you can use the pack campsite at Holua if no one is there. Water source at Holua wasn't as nice as at Paliku. We knew to treat the water but coming from a spigot at Paliku felt better than the camper water source at Holua. Beware the nene at Paliku campers' water source who didn't want to share but left lots of poop. For $8/night, camping is the bargain way to stay within the 'crater'. Plus camping permits usually do not require the 6 month lead time to secure as do the cabins. You could check the weather forecast, looks good, and probably get a campsite. To NPS - I'm all for a light footprint but give the campers a bit more space and a couple of tables. You give the stock lots of room, that's a much bigger footprint than campers. Do better with water source and outhouse for campers at Holua. Mahalo

Just go! There’s no place on the planet like it.

Best camping trip of my life (and there have been many)! The solitude and peace permeate the entire experience. Mahalo Haleakala.

excellent

Beautiful hike! The camp site was a little hard to find, but a great spot. Definitely the highlight of my entire Maui trip!!!

👍👍👍

There. Are. No. Words. Stunning hike down into the crater. Stargazing like you wouldn't believe. Quietest place I've ever been in my life. The only things that made noise were the man-made things I brought down with me. Met some cool people at the campground, including a young couple from Portland and a group of four kids who packed in from Paliku. Slept above the clouds and watched the sun rise over the rim of the crater. Once in a lifetime. If you have the opportunity, don't hesitate.