Sunset on Haleakalā, Maui: How to Plan Your Visit

I’ve seen a fair number of beautiful sunsets in my life, but sunset on Haleakalā is one of the most unique and breathtaking experiences. Standing above a sea of clouds as the sky turns gold and violet is one of those moments that truly feels otherworldly.

Haleakalā is a dormant volcano on the island of Maui, one of the Hawaiian islands. This giant volcano towers more than 10,000 feet above sea level, where you stand higher than the clouds and watch the sun dip below them. 

While the sunrise reservations are more well known, sunset on Haleakalā is just as magical. 

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to plan your visit to Haleakalā National Park for sunset: how to get there, when to go, what to bring, and why this is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Maui.

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About Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā means “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian.

The Haleakalā National Park covers more than 30,000 acres, including 2 distinct areas: the summit area, and the lush Kipahulu district near Hana on the southeast part of the island. The two different sections of the park are not directly connected. 

When mentioning Haleakalā, I’ll be referring to the summit area. With dark volcanic rock everywhere and clouds floating beneath you, the landscape here feels like another planet.

At 10,023 feet, Haleakalā is Maui’s highest point and often above the cloud line, which is why sunsets here feel so magical.

There are several endangered species that live on Haleakalā. 

Best Time to Visit Haleakala: Sunrise vs Sunset

When I began researching for my Maui trip, sunrise at Haleakalā constantly came up as one of the most popular things to do on Maui. 

But after a lot of research, I decided to go for sunset instead of sunrise. 

The sunrise at Haleakalā gets all the fame, but there’s several factors that make it more difficult. First of all, you have to have an early start, and I mean really early, like 3 a.m. 

In the summer the sun rises as early as 5:38 AM, in the winter as late as 6:55 AM. Driving up to the summit of Haleakalā takes several hours, from most places on the island. 

Reaching the top of Haleakalā takes about 2 hours from West Maui, and about 1.5 – 2 hours from Wailea. This is without considering factors like traffic, poor weather conditions, and reduced visibility due to darkness because remember, you’re driving before the sun is up. Not to mention, the road to Haleakalā is winding and has steep drop-off cliffs, so you’re more than likely going to be driving slower than usual. You’ll want to get to the summit earlier than sunset (or sunrise) to park and scout for a good viewing spot. 

Honestly, sunrise plan lost me at the 3 a.m. wake up call. Sunset was the clear winner for me. 

Unless you are an early riser or just enjoy having to wake up in the middle of the night to drive 2 hours on twisty roads, visiting at sunset will feel much more relaxed. Also, sunrise requires reservations whereas sunset does not. 

If you’re visiting Maui for a few days and don’t want to sacrifice precious sleep or book far ahead, sunset on Haleakalā is the perfect choice.

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How to Get to Haleakalā National Park

You’ll need to have a rental car to get to the summit of Haleakalā. We rented ours at the Kahului airport on arrival through Discovercars.

From Kahului, it’s about a 1 hour 30 minute drive. 
From Wailea, expect around 1.5 to 2 hours.
From Lahaina or Kaanapali, expect about 2 hours. 

All of these times may vary day to day depending on traffic and the weather. The official website states it can take 2.5 hours from Kahului to reach the summit, and a 3-hour drive from Wailea. 

No matter where you start, you’ll pass by Kahului. From Kahului you’ll take Route 37, then Route 377, and finally Route 378. 

You’ll travel through Upcountry Maui, passing rolling hills and ranches before reaching the park entrance. 

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From the entrance station to the summit, it’s another 30 minutes on a winding road with many switchbacks.

​Thankfully, Google Maps worked pretty well throughout the journey (unlike Road to Hana where you have no service almost the entire way). 

Along the way, things got really cloudy and misty, and I was afraid that the conditions would not be clear on the summit. After we passed the layer of clouds though, things cleared up and we were able to see a very clear sunset. Don’t let the conditions of the mid-mountain convince you to stop!

Given the high elevation of the summit and the hairpin turns, I have heard of people getting motion sickness. If you experience this, pull off at some of the lookout points to get some air and consider bringing some motion sickness pills. I brought this one just in case.

Also, there are no guardrails along the road up to the summit. Drive at speed limits and drive with caution. 

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Gas and Charging

It’s important to note that there are no gas stations or charging stations once you enter Haleakala National Park grounds. The last opportunity to get gas while driving to the Haleakala summit is at the town of Pukalani. It’s a good idea to fill up before you visit! 

If you are uncomfortable with the drive but want to see the sunset or sunrise at Haleakalā, consider these tours: 

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Entrance Fee for Haleakalā National Park

The park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. 

The pass is valid for 3 days and includes access to both the summit and the Kipahulu District previously mentioned near Hana. Both areas have an entrance station so wherever you visit first, you can purchase the pass at the station, and simply present it at the other station when you visit within 3 days. 

Reservations

There’s no reservation required for sunset, but sunrise between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. does require one. It only costs $1 but if you can’t get a Haleakala sunrise reservation in advance, you will be denied entry. 

​If you prefer to visit Haleakalā summit at sunrise, you can make reservations here. The reservation is for one vehicle, not person, so you only need one reservation per car. Sunrise Reservations are available for booking 60 days and 2 days in advance at 7:00 am HST.

Where to Park at Haleakalā

There are two parking areas near the summit of Haleakalā. 

The Pu’u’ula’ula parking lot (or Summit Observation Lot) is located at the very top and provides the best access to 360° views from the viewing platform. 

Parking spaces here are limited and fill up quickly. 

Another parking lot can be found at the Summit Visitor Center. This lot is slightly at lower elevation, but is larger, accommodates oversized vehicles, and has restrooms. 

When we arrived, the top parking lot had already filled up so they closed off entry. We parked at the Summit Visitor Center. 

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Best Time to See Sunset on Haleakalā

Sunset times on Maui vary from around 5:45 p.m. in winter to 7:10 p.m. in summer, so the time of day you go will depend on the time of year. Check the bottom of this page for sunset times. You an also refer to this page for both sunrise times and sunset times for each day of the year. 

You should give yourself plenty of time and aim to arrive at least 60-90 minutes before sunset.

This gives you ample time to park, explore viewpoints, and watch how the light changes leading up to golden hour. 

This is where we sort of messed up. We got to the Summit Visitor Center parking lot about 40 minutes before sunset. The summit parking lot was already full, so we parked on the lower lot near the visitor’s center. After taking time to find parking, we got out and it was definitely colder near the summit, so we put on additional layers that we had brought. 

At this point, we could have hiked up the stairs to get to the actual summit, but I noticed that the sky was already changing colors and I was afraid we would not have enough time to find a spot to actually enjoy the great views. 

So we stayed at this level, found ourselves a spot for sunset views. 

We did end up having an incredible sunset experience here, but I do wish we had gotten to the beautiful Haleakala a bit sooner so that things didn’t feel as rushed.

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What to Bring to the Summit of Haleakala

Temperatures at the top of Haleakala will be colder than you probably would expect. On average, the summit of Haleakalā is about 30°F (or 17°C) cooler than the coast given its high altitude. 

It gets even colder once the sun sets, or if you’re going for sunrise, then at pre-dawn hours. If it rains or is windy, it will feel colder as well. 

You’ll want to bring some warm clothes for the drastically changing temperatures. Pack a warm jacket, and definitely bring close-toed shoes. 

You may also want to consider bringing a blanket or small chairs to sit and watch the colors change if you don’t want to stand for too long. 

The Haleakala Visitor Center has restrooms and limited facilities, but no food or drinks are sold throughout the entire park grounds. Bring snacks and water, and perhaps a thermos of hot drink (which I did not bring but definitely wished I would have!). 

For the entrance gate, you should bring the following: 

• Your pre-purchased National Park Pass
• Or a contactless credit card to purchase the entrance pass (they are no longer accepting cash)
• A valid ID

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What to Expect at the Summit

Once you’ve found a great spot for views, just sit back and wait for the main event. 

When the sun starts to set, you’ll see the clouds turn shades of orange, red, and lavender. It felt like I was standing on top of a blanket of clouds, and it just felt so surreal. 

After the sun disappears, stick around a bit longer because now the sky will be covered in pink and purple hues. 

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Stargazing After Sunset

Haleakalā is one of the best places in Hawaii for stargazing, due to its high elevation and minimal light pollution. 

On a clear day, you can see the Milky Way with your naked eye. 

We didn’t do this, but if you are interested, stay for the night sky after the sun disappears. 

Just note that it will get even colder after the darkness sets in, so you’ll want to bring even more layers. 

What Else Is There to Do at Haleakalā National Park? 

While many visitors come to Haleakalā National Park for sunrise or sunset, the summit area offers plenty more to explore if you have extra time. 

• Hiking
  • Several trails are available, including the most well known Sliding Sands Trail which starts at the summit and goes down to the Haleakala crater. 
  • Easier trails include Pa Ka‘oao Trail (White Hill Trail), Leleiwi Overlook Trail.
• Camping –  you’ll need to make reservations at https://www.recreation.gov/.
  • Hosmer Grove Campground 
  • Wilderness Cabins (Holua and Palikū) 
• Stargazing
• Spotting wildlife
  • Haleakalā National Park is home to many endangered species, and wildlife unique to this area. We saw several nēnē, the state bird of Hawaii, around the parking lot. Remember to be respectful and leave wildlife and plants alone, never take them with you. 

Final Thoughts

Visiting Haleakalā to see the sunset was one of my favorite activities on our 5 day Maui Itinerary. Hawaii is blessed with many beautiful sunsets, but honestly this was the best place because how often are you able to see a sunset while standing above the clouds as if you’re floating in air?