Haleakalā itinerary

Here is how to spend one to two days in Haleakalā, built from the hikes and activities the National Park Service lists and the time it says each takes. Short on time? Do Day 1. Times are for the activity itself; add time for driving, parking and shuttles between stops, and swap anything that is closed or out of season.

Day 1

About 6 hours of listed activity time.

Start at Headquarters Visitor Center for maps, current trail conditions and ranger advice.

Morning

• Moderate Hike into Haleakalā's Crater (1 to 2 hours). Enter the park's Wilderness on the Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail and take a moderate out-and-back hike partway down the windswept cinder slope.

Afternoon

• Enjoy the Sunrise (2 to 4 hours). Start your day at the top of Haleakalā. (permit or reservation needed)
• Short Hike to Leleiwi Overlook (30 to 60 minutes). Take a short .3 mile (.5 km) roundtrip walk out to Leleiwi Overlook.
• Moderate Hike up to the Bamboo Forest (1 hour). Listen to the sounds of the bamboo forest as the towering stalks creak, clack, and clang along the Pīpīwai Trail!

Day 2

About 2.5 hours of listed activity time, plus stops with no listed time.

Morning

• Moderate Hike to the Crater Edge (1 to 2 hours). Meander through native shrubland to glimpse rare forest birds and a variety of plants found only in Hawaiʻi.

Afternoon

• Shopping (time not listed). The HPPA operates three bookstores at Haleakalā National Park and they are located at Park Headquarters, Haleakalā Visitor Center, and Kīpahulu Visitor Center.
• Short Hike to Makahiku Falls (1 hour). Golden light.

Make it work

• When to go: August to November. See the best time to visit.
• Where to stay: 4 campgrounds in the park; see camping and lodging.
• Before you go: check today’s alerts and read know before you go. More ideas: all things to do.

Sources

• National Park Service: things to do in Haleakalā National Park (Data API, public domain)

Last checked 1 November 2026.