About Haleakalā National Park (wilderness Tent Permit)
Number of accommodations: 10
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
10 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
10 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (217)
What Guests Are Saying
Haleakalā National Park offers stunning landscapes and a unique hiking experience, particularly at the Paliku and Holua campsites. Visitors praised the incredible views, starry nights, and helpful park rangers. However, many noted that the campgrounds could benefit from better signage and maintenance, especially regarding restroom facilities, and emphasized the importance of being well-prepared with water and warm clothing for the variable weather.
What Guests Are Saying
Haleakalā National Park offers stunning landscapes and a unique hiking experience, particularly at the Paliku and Holua campsites. Visitors praised the incredible views, starry nights, and helpful park rangers. However, many noted that the campgrounds could benefit from better signage and maintenance, especially regarding restroom facilities, and emphasized the importance of being well-prepared with water and warm clothing for the variable weather.
Review Summary
Matthew S
VerifiedJuly 26, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 4, Loop: Palikū
The hike to Paliku was challenging. The sky was clear and the Milky Way was above me. Stars galore!
Doris B
VerifiedJuly 8, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 2, Loop: Hōlua
I was told at the Visitorcenter at the moment I wanted to start my hike that there was “plenty of water” at Holua Camp. Half way down I met a guy coming up the hill reling me that there is no water left. I only brought my filter and 2 liters. It was no fun. Kapalaoa saved me.
Judith W
VerifiedJuly 2, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 3, Loop: Palikū
Haleakala is truly special, especially for summer solstice (house of the sun). Two silverswords were blooming, the Hawaiian raspberry (akala) were fruiting, Paliku was misty and magical, and at Honua, the Hawaiian petrels (Ua’u) were off the charts with their many calls all night long!!! It was such an honor being gifted with all the many unique experiences of Haleakalaaaaaa. So special. Mahalo nui loa!!!
Marcia B
VerifiedJuly 1, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 4, Loop: Hōlua
Camping in Haleakala Crater is an honor. I have stayed in the cabins before, but camping brings you so much closer to nature and the wonderful environment around you. Our first night was at Paliku campground in the lush lower part of the crater. Haleakala is actually a valley caused by erosion with secondary volcanic activity after the first mountain building phase, but we all call it a crater. At Paliku you can explore down the Kaupo Gap, or even hike out that way if you enjoy a 6,000ft descent! It can be very wet and rainy there, so be prepared with a well sealed tent and rain gear! We spent our second two nights at Holua Campground. It was magical listening to the ua'u, or Hawaiian petrels, coming in after dark to feed their babies. We also took an 8 mile day hike to explore the center of the crater and check out the different cinder cones. Remember to stay on the trail. This is not a place to go cross-country, not because you can't, but out of respect for the 'aina, land, and also to protect the native plants that have shallow root systems. One set of footsteps will scar a field of cinder for many years. It's wonderful to be out of cell service for 3 days! Can't wait to return!
Devin H
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 2, Loop: Hōlua
We were worried about updating and printing our reservation to include rental vehicle information and were relieved to find out that you can instead register with a ranger at the first Visitor Center.
We stayed in Holua 2 and Paliku 4 on June 20 and 21. Both nights were misty and windy. In Paliku, if the winds consistently come from the same direction, sites 2 and 3 might be best as vegetation would block the northerly winds.
We were able to filter water without issue. The privies were well used but adequate. Make sure to bring toilet paper.
Birds were active at both sites, on the cliffs above Holua at night and around the cabin at Paliku during the day.
Aaron C
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 2, Loop: Hōlua
Absolutely amazing views!
Note for Summit Sunrise Viewing: We tried multiple times to book Summit Sunrise reservations when the tickets were released exactly at 7am, but were never able to get any (they always went from "not released yet" at 6:59am, to "not available" at 7:00am). We ended up cutting out camping experience short and packing up our Holua tent site at 1:30am to hike back to our car in time to drive to the summit and be there in time for first light. The hike in and out each took 2 hours (lots of photo stopping on the way in/down). Catching the sunrise at the summit was an absolutely unforgettable experience!
Rebecca G
VerifiedJune 17, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 1, Loop: Hōlua
it was great
Chelsey Z
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 3, Loop: Palikū
It was incredibly beautiful, with lots of birds and wildflowers.
Henry V
VerifiedJune 2, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 4, Loop: Hōlua
Beautiful!
Micah S
VerifiedMay 26, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 1, Loop: Hōlua
My experience at Haleakala was excellent. The campsites were nice and in great locations. The toilets and water were super convenient and made everything really easy. Would love to come back and do it again sometime.
Location Haleakalā National Park (wilderness Tent Permit)
Address:
Po Box 369
Makawao, HI, 96768
United States
For maps of the island and the park visit https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/maps.htm
To the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park: There are brown information signs along the way. From Kahului, take Hana Highway (SR36) and travel 2.0 miles (toward Hana). Turn right onto Haleakalā Highway (SR37) and travel for 7.8 miles. Turn left onto State Highway 377 and travel for 6 miles. Turn left onto Crater Road (large brown wooden Haleakalā NP sign mounted in median) and travel for 1.2 miles. Continue on Crater Road for 9.9 miles to arrive at the park boundary/entrance station. The summit of Haleakalā (elevation 10,023ft 3055m) is 11 miles further and about an additional 30-minute drive, beyond the entrance station.
To Headquarters Visitor Center: The Headquarters visitor center will be the first building on the right hand side of the road past the entrance station. Here you can use flush toilets and fill up on water prior to starting your hike.
To Halemauʻu Trailhead: From the Headquarters visitor center, continue up 3 switchbacks to the first pull-off on the left hand side marked "Halemauʻu Trailhead". You may choose to begin your hike at this trailhead (3.7 mi (6 km) one way to Hōlua; 10.4 mi (17km) one way to Palikū).
To Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trailhead: From the Headquarters visitor center, drive 11 miles up several switchbacks (about a 30 minute drive) to the Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot. Once you enter the lot, the trailhead is on the right hand side. You may choose to being your hike at this trailhead (7.4 mi (12 km) one way to Hōlua; 9.3 mi (15km) one way to Palikū).
Latitude & Longitude: 20.7399 / -156.218
Elevation: 2131 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
REQUIRED: Prior to their trip, all visitors MUST watch “Haleakalā NP’s Leave No Trace (LNT) Video ” to set expectations on how to recreate responsibly in Haleakalā National Park’s wilderness. www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/wilderness-camping.htm |
| General |
Reservation Permit. A printed copy of the reservation must be held by the reservation holder at all times. The reservation holder is legally responsible for the actions and safety of the group. Be prepared for weather extremes. Leave an itinerary and guest list with a friend. |
| General |
License Plate. 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. |
| General |
Water. There are non-potable water spigots located near the campsites. All water must be filtered or treated prior to consumption. Water is not guaranteed, bring enough water with you for your trip. In times of drought, all water must be carried in. |
| General |
Restrictions. NO pets, firearms or wheeled vehicles. NO feeding or harassment of wildlife. NO picking plants, disturbing rocks, building cairns. |
| General |
Stay On Trails. Haleakalā is an on-trail park. Please stay on all designated 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 |
NO Fires. Open fires or gathering firewood is NOT allowed. |
| General |
Wilderness. These campsites are located in federally designated wilderness. There is no cell service accessible within any part of the crater. |
| 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 |
Quiet Hours. Respect other visitors' right to quiet and solitude--quiet hours are 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
| General |
Trash. Pack out ALL trash that is brought into the crater. |
| General |
Visitor Cabins. There are cabins located nearby both campsites. A reservation for a campsite does NOT grant access to the cabins. All campers must respect cabin user privacy and will not be let in by those with a cabin permit. Cabin reservations may be made separately here. |
| General |
Visited Hawaii Island or Kauai recently? All gear, especially tent and 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 |
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. |
