The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park is open for sunrise viewing through the sunrise reservation system on Recreation.gov. Sunrise reservations allow access to the Summit District from 3:00 am to 7:00 am and can only be used for the day specified on the reservation itself.

Watching A Haleakala Sunrise

• Visitor Center. The best place to experience a sunrise on Maui is from the Summit Visitor Center.
• Red Hill Observatory. The Observatory at the top of Puu Ulaula (“Red Hill”) is just past the first parking lot and marks Haleakala’s highest point.
• Kalahaku Overlook.

Try to arrive at the Haleakala Visitor Center no later than a half hour before the sun rises — earlier for a good spot. In the summer the sun rises as early as 5:38 AM, in the winter as late as 6:55 AM. The color of the sky and clouds before daybreak are stunning.

Haleakala Crater
One of the best spots on Maui to watch a sunrise is by far the Haleakala Crater. This majestic volcano literally means “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian. It boasts a summit rising 10,023 feet above sea level, which makes it the perfect location for your sunrise adventure!

After sunrise there are many hikes through the park to see landscapes, the famous silver fern, and the beautiful morning light. It costs $15 per vehicle to visit Haleakala National Park and the ticket is good for three days. You can use the same ticket to visit the Pipiwai Trail, one of our favorite hikes in the world.

In addition to the park’s entrance fee of $30 per car (which visitors pay with credit cards upon arrival at the summit or Kipahulu entrance stations), parking reservations for summit spots cost $1.00 per car during sunrise hours.

Is it worth going to Haleakala after sunrise? If you can’t make it for sunrise, visiting Haleakala is still an amazing experience. There are plenty of hiking trails, views of the crater, and more endangered species than any other National Park. It’s a great place to spend a few hours or even a full day.

First, yes, it’s worth it. There’s a reason Haleakala is called ‘House of the Sun’ and I personally would do it every day if I could. Just be sure to get started early so you can get a decent parking spot and location at the top of the hill for the view. Second, a blanket will likely leave you shivering quite a bit.

Sunrise is popular, so arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise. Check sunrise times. Don’t rush off too quickly after sunrise, especially if you want some great pictures. The colors of Haleakala Valley will grow more vibrant as contrast becomes greater, about 15-20 minutes after sunrise.

The sunset at Haleakala Crater can be as spectacular as the sunrise! The inside of the crater is also beautiful but can produce some harsh shadows. You may want to bracket some exposures that can be combined later. A tripod is recommended but railings and a steady hand can often do the trick.

About the Haleakala Sunrise Experience The Haleakala summit puts you above the cloud cover that resembles an ocean as the sun ascends over the horizon and creates an array of colors in the sky. The weather at 10,000 feet can be cold, sometimes reaching freezing temperatures, yet the climate variations can also enhance the beauty of the sunrise.

Sunrise on Haleakala is a lot like sunrises and sunsets in other places you’ve seen them. It only takes 2 minutes for the sun to rise above the horizon from the moment the top reaches the horizon. If there are no clouds that’s about all there is for the show in the sky.