Haleakalā Summit

Haleakalā is a dormant volcano that last erupted sometime between 1480 and 1600. The "crater" valley is about 7 miles (11 km) wide and roughly 2,600 feet (800 m) deep; geologically it is an erosional valley. The highest point, Puʻu ʻUlaʻula, stands at 10,023 feet (3,055 m). The national park covers a good 33,000 acres (13,000 ha) and has existed since 1976. The Haleakalā silversword, which grows nowhere else, lives here, and the Hawaiian goose, the nēnē, is among the residents. The park is known for unusually clear night skies.

For sunrise at the Summit District, a reservation through Recreation.gov is required between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.; it can be made up to 60 days in advance (as of October 2026). Parking at the summit is very limited; one fallback viewpoint is Leleiwi Overlook. It is much colder up top than on the coast, so pack warm layers and water. Fill your tank beforehand, as there is no gas station in the park and cell reception is limited.