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
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Site Details
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10 Sites Available
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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
Jim M
VerifiedMay 23, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 2, Loop: Palikū
Great camping experience. The pit toilets were pretty gross but can't expect much in such a remote location. The campsites were just big enough for two, two-man tents. The scenery was beautiful and the sun coming up over the mountains in the morning was surreal. This is a strenuous hike when carrying a full 30-35 lb. pack. Make sure that you are prepared for everything from hot afternoon hiking to cool or cold mornings. We also had a very misty, rainy third day that gave us a completely different experience. The switchbacks on the 3rd day getting back up to the park road were really neat. I highly recommend this hike. Hopefully you will have 2-3 sunny days as we did.
Anis S
VerifiedMay 15, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 3, Loop: Palikū
- Camping sites are big enough for 2 tents (within the same group)
- Beautiful landscapes and views
- Get ready to be soaking wet (it's always raining up here)
- Gets cold at night (really humid), be prepared with warm clothes
jongmin l
VerifiedMay 15, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 1, Loop: Hōlua
It's been a fantastic experience.
I went to three different islands on my Hawaiian vacation and it was the most memorable.
I plan to visit Hawaii again to check out the national park campgrounds here.
Adeline D
VerifiedMay 12, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 4, Loop: Palikū
Amazing experience
Rachel V
VerifiedMay 11, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 1, Loop: Hōlua
Tyler L
VerifiedApril 27, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 4, Loop: Palikū
Beautiful location, excellent experience at Haleakala.
Jennifer P
VerifiedApril 25, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 3, Loop: Palikū
Such a magical and sacred spot.
Michael P
VerifiedApril 19, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 5 (Group), Loop: Hōlua
The staff at the park do not provide adequate directions and guidance to the trails to camp in the crater. The effect of the guidance was to park at the top and you'll see the trailhead.
The trailhead for the camping/cabin is not clearly marked. There were no staff at the parking lot/upper viewing point. The trailhead should be clearly marked with a distance to the crater and cabin. It's a very long hike and the signs are few and far between.
Jiefu Z
VerifiedApril 12, 2023 • Stayed at: Hōlua 1, Loop: Hōlua
Excellently maintained trail, extremely scenic campsite. My favourite experience throughout Hawaii hands down
Anthony V
VerifiedMarch 30, 2023 • Stayed at: Palikū 1, Loop: Palikū
Absolutely amazing two nights. I hiked from the summit to Paliku the first night and saw the most stars I've ever seen in my life. Both Paliku and Holua sites are in prime locations where clouds from the sea wash over the land and create a surprisingly lush location (refreshing after hiking over mounds of cinder for hours). Trails are mostly well maintained and had good signage. Approaching Paliku, the trail can be less clear and widens out, but as long as you stick to the mountains you'll be fine. Hiking out of Holua and up the Halemau'u switchbacks gives you a beautiful view of what you thought was barren volcanic rock. It's also less of a climb.
No one ever asked me for my permit, but I did arrive on island with enough time the day before to pop into a public library and add my rental car info and print out a couple copies. At least I had peace of mind that my car would be there waiting for me and not towed.
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. |
