Our self-paced Maui volcano tours offer an exceptional chance to see the summit of Haleakalā and the beauty of Upcountry Maui. If you crave even more adventure though after your Maui bike tour, then why not stay in this amazing countryside? There are a number of great camping spots in the Haleakalā National Park area. Some of these camping areas you can drive to and others require a bit of a hike. Several cabins are available for reservation and there are areas where you can camp in a tent. So if you’re wanting to explore more of the Haleakalā Crater after your Maui volcano tour, here’s some information about the campsites to help plan your stay.
MAUI Camping in Haleakala National Park
In Haleakalā National Park, there are two car accessible campgrounds. Hosmer Grove is in the summit area just below the 7,000-foot level in the cloud belt. There is a self-guided nature trail that begins and ends at the campground if you want to venture further into this beautiful landscape. As the National Park Service (NPS) notes, the weather can be cold and rainy here, even dropping to near freezing at night and get to around 50-65 degrees during the day. Hosmer Grove only has picnic tables, barbecue grills, pit toilets, and drinking water. Kīpahulu campground is closer to Hana about 1/8 mile south of the Kīpahulu Visitor Center and just a short walk from ʻOheʻo Gulch on the east side of the island. This campground overlooks ocean cliffs. Although the campground has picnic tables, grills, and pit toilets, there is no water available here. The NPS has drinking water available at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.
StarGaze When Camping In Maui
Although you may have seen the incredible sunrise of Haleakalā on your bike tour, camping out in the summit district of Haleakalā National Park will give you the opportunity to also see the amazing night sky atop this volcano. The summit of Haleakalā is known as one of the best places in the world for stargazing.
In addition to biking, many who take the Maui volcano tour also love to hike. So, for those who enjoy backpacking and really want to explore the various volcanic landscapes of Haleakalā up close, there are cabins and campsites that require a hike through the Wilderness Area of Haleakalā. Three cabins are available in the Haleakalā Wilderness – Hōlua, Kapalaoa, and Palikū. The closest of the three, Hōlua Cabin, is accessed by a 3.7 mile hike on the Halemauʻu Trail. These quaint historic cabins have limited amenities like a propane stove, dishes, 12 padded bunks, pit toilets, and water that requires filtering before use, but no electricity. These cabins do go fast, so you will need to make a reservation, possibly a few months in advance. At Hōlua and Palikū, there are also campsites available. As the NPS noted, the Wilderness Area has unpredictable weather, at times steep hiking trails, and loose cinder or rock terrain, so caution and experience is needed when hiking or staying in these areas. Please see the NPS website for more information about the cabins and campsites and any permit requirements.
Camp Grounds Or Cabins In Maui
The Hawaii State Parks association also offers two camping and cabin areas on Maui. On the slopes of Haleakalā, Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area is home to a single cabin available for rent as well as tent camping sites. Polipoli Spring is about 10 miles upland from Kula on Waipoli Road. (A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for getting here.) This camping area is in the “fog belt” of the Kula Forest Reserve at an elevation of 6,200 feet with views of Central and West Maui, Kaho’olawe, Moloka’i and Lana’i in clear weather. There are restrooms and trash cans at the campsite, but no drinking water or campground showers. Along the “volcanic coastline” of Hana, the Wai‘anapanapa State Park offers camping and cabin lodging with outdoor showers, drinking water, trash receptacles, and restrooms. Visit the Hawaii State Parks website for more information about these camping areas.
So what do you think? Are you up for a little more adventure, off the beaten path? If you love the outdoors and want to experience even more of Haleakalā’s wilderness after your Maui volcano tour, these great camping and lodging areas can give you, as Hawaii State Parks noted, “solitude and respite from urban life.”
(First photo “Stars Above Haleakalā” Photo by thedaintyheart via Flickr)
(Cabin photos via NPS)
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