If you’re going on vacation to Maui, then Haleakalā National Park is a must-see. This breathtaking landscape includes the summit of Maui’s highest point that towers over the island at 10,023 feet. Spectacular views and rich culture make this tourist attraction one you won’t soon forget. But there’s a few must-knows you’ll want to be prepared for before you make your visit to the “house of the sun”. Check it out.

Now, on our first visit to Maui, everyone said that of all the things you do there, make sure you visit Haleakalā . And they were right. Aside from the beautiful scenic drive along the windy Haleakalā highway, you rise above the clouds to see some of the most spectacular views in the world. We learned a few things along the way though that will hopefully help you during your visit as well.

#1: Book Haleakalā National Park sunrise tickets in advance

Sunrise on the summit of Haleakalā  is super popular. That’s why you have to book tickets for the 3-7 a.m. time slot but they are really hard to get. According to NPS.gov, reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance of your sunrise visit on recreation.gov and are only valid for the day reserved. These tickets are released at 7:00 am HST. A portion of reservations for any given day will be released 2 days (48 hours) in advance. We tried to book tickets but they filled up almost immediately. If you don’t mind getting up really early, it’s worth a shot. Otherwise, you can visit the park anytime during the day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. without reserving tickets.

#2: Visit Road to Hana and Haleakalā within three days of each other

When you visit Haleakalā at the Summit Entrance, you will pay $30 per vehicle which is valid for three days. That pass will also get you into the Kῑpahulu District Entrance, which is at the end of the Road to Hana. Unless you want to pay an extra $30, try to visit both these places within three days of each other.

#3: Consider downloading the Haleakalā tour guide app

We decided to spend 5 bucks and download the Gypsy Guide tour guide app onto our phones. As you drive to the summit and back down, the app provides historical and scientific background to the landscape that you are experiencing. It’s super easy to use and for a small fee, I felt like it was definitely worth it. We also used Gypsy Guide for the Road to Hana and we loved that one even more.

#4: Dress warm

Even if it’s warm when you leave your hotel, once you reach the summit of Haleakalā, temperatures can dip below freezing. I didn’t really believe it but when I got there, I wished I had brought a coat. Especially if you plan on camping out at the top to wait for the clouds to part, you’ll want some warm clothes.

#5: Haleakalā is worth it even on cloudy days

It’s typically pretty hard to time a visit to Haleakalā where there aren’t any clouds in the sky. But even if there are, the landscape and scenic drive are still spectacular–blue skies or not. We reached the summit on a pretty cloudy day and we still loved it. Just go. You won’t regret it.

Check out this video below of us driving from the entrance to the summit of Haleakala. Even though it was cloudy at the top, it was still spectacularly amazing.

Other helpful tips and tricks

I must say that Haleakalā  was one of the my favorite things that we visited while in Maui. I loved every minute of it and plan to visit again next time. Here’s some other tips and tricks to consider as you are planning your adventure to the house of the sun.

• Medicine: Take some motion sickness medicine if you’re prone to car sickness. Lots of windy roads.
• Lunch: Consider packing a lunch of fresh island fruit that you can eat at the top.
• Updates: Check the National Park Service website for regular updates to closures and hours of operation.
• Bike tours: You can rent a bike and ride down from the summit, but do so with caution. These roads are super windy and there are A LOT of cars. Our friend learned the hard way and broke his back!
• Top first: There’s lots of trails and various attractions to visit on the way to the summit. Consider driving to the top first though and then decide what you want to see afterwards.
• Dogs: Dogs are permitted in parking lots and drive-up campgrounds and on roadways and paved pathways only. Dogs must be leashed at all times. They are not permitted on trails.
• Sunrise jet-lag: If you’re body is still waking up at 4 a.m. when you arrive, consider seeing the sunrise before your body adjusts to the time zone.
• Crater: The hike down the crater isn’t so bad, but it’s deceptively hard on the way back up. If you’re not accustomed to high elevations, take it easy.
• Do your homework: Read up on Haleakala before you arrive with “The History of Maui Mountain”
• Souvenirs: Although most of the gift shops are closed at the summit due to COVID, you can still buy souvenirs online like this sweet hoodie, vintage wall poster or this National Geographic Haleakala Trails Map.

Do you have any other helpful tips when visiting this amazing national park? Leave your comments below.

Related link: 20 Maui tips and tricks

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If you’re planning your big trip to Hawaii, you’ll need to check out these 25 Maui tips and tricks. Aside from awesome destinations on this beautiful island, there are other hacks that will help make your tropical vacation even better. So, take a look!

We were lucky enough to visit Maui, Hawaii for the first time last month. It was spectacular! But there were a few things that I wish I had known before our trip that would have been helpful. So, I’m passing these Maui tips and tricks on to you in hopes that your trip will be even more memorable.

Maui tip and tricks BEFORE you leave

• Haleakalā Sunrise: Tickets to watch the sunrise from the highest point in Maui need to be booked 7 days in advance.
• Warm clothes: It’s cold on the top of Haleakalā.
• Pronunciations: The names of the towns and locations are all in Hawaiian. Make sure you know how to pronounce them correctly.
• Reusable grocery bags: Bring your own from home. Most stores down use plastic bags
• Lodging with a kitchen: Dining out in Hawaii is super expensive. We used the kitchen in our condo to make breakfast and lunch every day. It saved us a lot of money.

• Sunscreen: You are only allowed to wear reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii. If you purchase it on the island, it is a lot more expensive. Save some money and bring some from home.
• GoPro: You’ll want to capture all these underwater adventures. If you don’t have enough money for a GoPro, you can buy a waterproof case for your phone and still capture the fun.
• Dressy clothes: If you plan on attending a luau, you might want to bring some nice clothes for the occasion.

• Wailuku: This smaller town is a central town that is about 20 minutes away from everything on the island. Consider staying there. That’s where we stayed and we loved it.
• Coins: You may want to do a load of laundry and sometimes it’s hard to find spare quarters when you need it. Bring a few dollars worth in coins just in case.

Need-to-knows AFTER you arrive

• Book Luau last minute: We reserved a spot for a luau two hours before it was supposed to start and we got a significant discount. Instead of $110 per person, we only paid $60!
• Crime: Tourists are a big target in Hawaii. Don’t leave any valuables in your car ever.
• ABC Stores: These stores are all over Hawaii and they are the best place to find souvenirs at an affordable price.
• Road to Hana App: For only $7, this step-by-step driving tour was well worth the money. It made this day-long adventure much more enjoyable.
• National Park Pass: You’ll buy this pass for $30 at the end of the Road to Hana. But it only lasts three days, so make sure you do Haleakalā before your pass expires.
• Maximize your daylight: It gets dark around 6 p.m. in Hawaii and everything closes. So, it’s worth it to wake up early so you can take advantage of the entire day.

Experiencing paradise

• Jeep or convertible: There’s something about driving around Hawaii in an open-air vehicle that is freakin’ awesome.
• Food trucks: We found that our favorite food to eat was at all of the food trucks. Some of our favorites were Shaka Tacos and Thai Mee Up.
• Waihee Ridge Trail: Most flights leaving Maui are red-eyes, so if you’re trying to kill time your last day after you check out of your hotel, this hike is a-mazing!
• Store your luggage: Most hotels will allow you to store luggage in their lobby the day that you check out. That way you don’t have to leave it in your rental car and risk it being stolen while you’re out sightseeing before your flight home.
• Sea Turtles: If you want to see a bunch of sea turtles resting on the beach, check out Ho’okipa Beach Park. If you want to swim with sea turtles, check out Po’olenalena Beach Park.

What other Maui tips and tricks do you have? Leave your comments below.

Related link: How to throw a Hawaiian luau?

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