How to Spend One Day at Haleakalā, Maui's Volcano

Driving up to the summit of Maui’s 10,023-foot high Haleakalā volcano is one of the most surreal experiences in Hawaii. As you ascend above the clouds, the landscapes shift from verdant farmland to dry shrubland, and finally to stark volcanic slopes in hues of black and deep red.

At the top, you’ll spot the rare ʻĀhinahina (Haleakalā silversword), a spiky silver-blue plant that grows nowhere else on Earth! Then gaze out over the clouds right where (according to Hawaiian legend) the demigod Māui lassoed the sun to slow its journey across the sky.

But besides taking in the otherworldly views, what else is there to do at Haleakalā National Park, and what should you know before getting here?

Having explored Haleakalā National Park several times, I’m sharing my ideal Haleakalā day trip itinerary for first timers, including a few hidden gems you won’t want to miss!

🌄 Want to join a group tour of Haleakalā at sunrise? Make a reservation in advance!

Woman in black and white dress sits on a rock railing on the summit of Haleakalā in Maui, Hawaii, with red and black toned landscapes in the background.

Man with orange hat and backpack birdwatching at Hosmer Grove trail at Haleakalā National Park in Maui

☀️🌺🌿 Article Outline (Jump Ahead)

Visiting the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā National Park spans over 30,000 acres along southeast Maui. The summit district is what we’ll visit today, but the park also includes my favorite stop on the Road to Hana, the Pipiwai Trail (make sure to add it to your Maui itinerary, too!)

Here’s a few quick facts about the volcano district:

⛰️ Elevation: 10,023 feet at the summit
⏰ Park hours: Open 24/7
💰 Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle (valid for 3 days so you can visit the Kīpahulu district on the Road to Hana), or use your annual America The Beautiful Pass
📱Reservations: Only required if you visit between 3am–7am for sunrise, reserve on Recreation.gov or book an all-inclusive sunrise tour here
☁️ Weather: The summit is always chillier and windier than the rest of the island. Bring some warm layers, especially if you plan to hike up here!
🌿 Unique plants and animals: The volcano is home to several endemic species, including the silvery blue Āhinahina (Haleakalā silversword) plant and the endangered Nēnē goose.

Orange red and black landscapes at the summit of Maui's volcano, a must see spot on a day at Haleakala itinerary

One Day Haleakalā Itinerary

Set your GPS Haleakalā National Park and start driving! You’ll reach the park entrance in a little over an hour if you’re coming from Kihei, and an hour and a half if you’re coming from Lahaina.

🌅 Related: All-Inclusive Haleakala Sunrise Tour

Drive Through Maui’s Upcountry

As you head up the volcano past Kahului, you’ll pass Maui’s Upcountry towns of Makawao, Pukalani, and Kula. There is plenty to do in this area, but it’s all quite spread out, so I’d choose a maximum of two spots to stay good on time!

🥭 Upcountry Farmers Market (Saturdays): A must-visit if you’re visiting on a Saturday! Grab some tropical fruit for snacking and support small local businesses!
🥑 Downtown Makawao: A convenient place to stop on the way up. Check out the 100+ year old Komoda Store and Bakery and Rodeo General Store to fuel up on snacks for the day’s adventures!
🌺 Kula Botanical Garden: Beautiful little botanical garden with koi ponds and a vast array of tropical plants.
🍹 Ocean Vodka: Organic vodka distillery with incredible views of the ocean and island. Their cafe serves a variety of tropical drinks, pizzas, and salads. They have live music daily from 4:30-7pm so it’s worth a stop on your way down the volcano!

All these spots and more are pinned on my free Maui map!

🥪 Pack your lunch: There is nowhere to eat in the national park, so be sure to bring snacks, water, and lunch! We bought groceries the night before, but you could also find some treats in Makawao on the way.

Birdwatching is one of the best things to do at Haleakalā National Park

Eucalyptus grove along the Hosmer Grove trail at Haleakalā

Short Hike at Hosmer Grove

Before the landscapes transform into volcanic desert, stop for a peaceful walk through native shrubland and eucalyptus groves at Hosmer Grove.

This easy 0.6-mile trail is one of the best places to spot endemic Hawaiian birds like the bright red ʻIʻiwi, crimson ʻApapane, and endangered Maui ʻAlauahio. I’m not much of a birdwatcher, but this short hike ended up being my favorite part of the day—the trail is so peaceful and we saw dozens of beautiful singing birds! And it’s a great spot to stretch your legs and take in the unique ecology of the volcano’s upper slopes.

The trail was delightfully uncrowded, too, and the trailhead has picnic tables and pit toilets. We ate our lunch at the picnic tables and spotted a variety of birds there, too, including a peafowl (which looks like a peacock!)

🦜 Explore quietly and slowly: To increase your chances of spotting the area’s stunning birds (and to respect birdwatchers on the trail), walk slowly and keep your voice down! We walked a little too fast on our first jaunt through the trail, and ended up circling back more slowly to see more.

Woman with arms outstreched standing at the Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) overlook on Maui's volcano

Visiting Red Hill is one of the best things to do on Maui, and a must if you're spending a day at Haleakalā

Visit the Summit at Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill)

After Hosmer Grove, drive all the way up to the volcano’s 10,023-foot high summit, called Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill)! It’s the highest point on Maui, and with views of the entire island to prove it!

On a cloudy day, you’ll feel like you’re walking on the clouds, and on a clear day, you can see Lanaʻi and the Big Island in the distance!

Meanwhile, the landscape around you is a wide expanse of black volcanic rock and rust-red cinder cones, dotted with the shiny, rare ʻāhinahina (Haleakalā silversword). These fragile plants grow only here and bloom just once in their lifetime—so please stay on the trails and avoid touching!

🧥 Pack a jacket: Even on a sunny day, the wind can be chilling up here on the summit! Make sure you bring some warm layers to stay comfortable up here.

You’ll Also Love: Rafting Snorkel Adventure at Molokini Crater

Stop at Haleakalā Visitor Center

On your way back down from the summit, pull into the Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,740 feet). This small visitor center has restrooms, a gift shop, and up-front views of the red-toned crater floor.

View of the Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands Trail) from the Haleakalā Visitor Center

Optional: Hike Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands Trail)

Right next to the visitor center is the trailhead for Keoneheʻeheʻe (nicknamed Sliding Sands), which descends 2,500 feet into the red and black toned crater floor. Even if you don’t do the full 11-mile hike (which is quite long!!), it’s worth exploring a mile or two.

Just remember that hiking at 10,000 feet is more difficult than it is to hike at sea level. If you attempt the trail, bring plenty of water and snacks, and sun protection—the sun is also more brutal at high elevation and there is no shade!

Stay for sunset or head back to your hotel

If you don’t hike Keoneheʻeheʻe, your volcano day has easily become a half-day trip! You’ll have time to grab dinner and maybe even go to the beach when you get back to your hotel. However, you can also stay at the summit to watch the sunset and a do a bit of stargazing!