Haleakala National Park
Experience the magical wonder of Maui’s largest dormant volcano
A vacation to Maui is not complete without a visit to Maui’s majestic Haleakala National Park, also known as “house of the sun”. The summit itself stands at 10,023 feet above sea level and is truly one of the best places in the world to watch a stunning sunrise or sunset. It is also one of the most popular places for hiking, biking downhill and stargazing on the slopes of Haleakala through a telescope.
A visit to Haleakala National Park is the best way to spend a day on Maui with the family with a variety of exciting things for everyone to see and do.
The National Park itself spans 34,000 acres and is home to some of Hawaii’s most endangered species such as the Silversword, a rare plant found only in Hawaii, the Nene (a native Hawaiian goose), the U’au a Hawaiian petrel (seabird), Kike koa (Maui Parrotbill) and the ‘Akohekohe (Crested honeycreeper). In fact, more than 90% of the plants and animals found in the National Park cannot be found anywhere else in the world!
Each year, more than half a million visitors come to witness a breathtaking Haleakala sunrise or sunset with its array of changing colors of the sky and panoramic landscape views. It is easy to see why it is one of the most popular things to do on Maui as you embrace the beauty of silence, which enhances the experience of this majestic natural wonder.
Thrill seekers will delight in one of Maui’s most popular activities – biking down the volcano. The best way to do this is to watch a sunrise on Haleakala first, then bike all the way down to the ocean, combining two fun activities on Maui in one day. Biking down the volcano is a great way to experience the elevation change, see the breathtaking views, as you pass through Maui’s beautiful countryside and small towns.
Stargazing after sunset on Maui is an out-of-this-world experience that takes place at the summit and includes a special guided telescope tour as you navigate the cosmos. Here you will see visible planets, deep-sky objects and galaxies through the largest portable telescope on Haleakala.
Ziplining is a fantastic way to take in Maui’s spectacular scenery as you embark on an adventure with a swinging bridge and 5 amazing ziplines and reach speeds over 45 mph on Hawaii’s only pendulum line which soars over 90-foot drops and canyons. It is the longest side-by-side zipline adventure on Maui, which allows you to race other members of your family.
Immerse yourself in Maui’s volcanic landscape on your own two feet by hiking the trails of Haleakala. These hiking trails themselves offer some of the most awe-inspiring panoramic views, stretching for miles in all directions as you surround yourself amongst Maui’s native flora and fauna.