Haleakalā National Park (wilderness Tent Permit)

The campgrounds at Paliku aren't well labeled, so it will take some time to decipher which is your assigned spot. They also aren't very level, so you may find yourself sliding around at night. The pit latrine at Paliku has been cleared of spiders (it was completely full of cobwebs and live spiders on my previous trip). The latrine experience is odiferous and it feels at times like the plywood beneath you is about to break and drop you into the pit. This facility could definitely use an upgrade.

Holua campsites are better labeled, but some parties still had difficulty finding their assigned sites. The ground is flat and consists of unvegetated, superfine volcanic soil; be prepared to wake up covered in a fine dusting of dirt. Wearing a mask while sleeping may help you avoid the Silicosis of the lung. All of your belongings are likely to be coated with dust due to static cling. If it is raining, be prepared to be camping in the mud.
The pit latrine at Holua campground seemed to be in fair condition, but the one at Holua cabin reeks most of all. Neither offer a pleasant experience.

The water at both campgrounds was free of color and foul odors. It is advisable to appropriately treat the water with micro-filtration and/or chemical treatments before drinking.

Overall, It's a lovely place to backpack. Upgraded latrines and better signage would make it a better experience for all.

Palikū is an absolutely incredible place, and our hike in and out of Haleakala crater was incredible. A must-do!

Backpacking in Haleakalā was awesome. Definitely recommend staying at both campsites to see all the variation in the landscape of the crater. Non-potable water is available at the campsites but not promised; we carried all of our water.

Holua is a straight 6/5 - clever designed campspots, amazing views of the crater, stargazing (weather permitting). Just can't recommend camping at Paliku. If you must stay there, use the cabin! Lush grasslands is an euphemism for pitching your tent in a puddle, where - according to other hikers I spoke to - horizontal rain is the rule rather than the exception.

It was a beautiful experience, great site in a rugged wilderness area. Definitely would strongly recommend using a charcoal or ceramic water filter for the water from the camp site. I definitely got giardia after filtering the cistern water using a steripen. Other than that it was a great experience.

If you are camping at Holua campsite, you will have a hard time finding the tent sites unless you wander around a lot on little trails just east of the upper outhouse and ranger hut. The signage is poor or missing so it is hard to know if you’ve found the campsite that you booked. There seem to be more than 6 sites so if you hold a permit, you’ll for sure find a spot even if your site is occupied: everyone is just guessing if they’re in the right spot or not!

We loved staying at Hōlua campsite. We enjoyed hiking into the crater and tent camping in site #1. My seven year old son did great on this hike. We enjoyed seeing native birds (including Nene and Honey Creepers) and star gazing on an evening with a anew moon. Make sure to bring warm clothes, rain layers, and enough water.

Amazing stars!

Nice, but expensive tent camping. 30$ to get in the Park and $20 a night to pitch a tent = $50, plus $20 in gas. Backcountry camping soothes the soul and is good for people, but who sets these fees? The rates should be the lowest possible, not the highest, soaking people for money to enjoy nature - shameful ! These fees make it hard for families and regular people to enjoy the wilderness. John Muir would not be pleased !

Excellent sites at Holua, with care taken to generate a sense of solitude even though spaces are not far apart (strategic placement among bushes makes each spot feel isolated). Some difficulty in determining which site is which - #1 contains a sign indicating 1 is here and 2 is that way (with an arrow), but 2 is rather far away and has no sign. 3/4 are similar. BUT, we figured it out.