Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Haleakala National Park (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Haleakalā, Makahiku Falls, and ʻOheʻo Gulch. Also, be sure to include Waimoku Falls in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Haleakala National Park (Hawaii).
Table of Contents
Haleakalā
Shield volcano in Hawaii. Haleakalā, or the East Maui Volcano, is a massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian Island of Maui. The western 25% of the island is formed by another volcano, Mauna Kahalawai, also referred to as the West Maui Mountains.
The tallest peak of Haleakalā ("house of the sun"), at 10,023 feet (3,055 m), is Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill). From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some 11.25 km (7 mi) across, 3.2 km (2 mi) wide, and nearly 800 m (2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones.[1]
Makahiku Falls
200-ft-tall waterfall in a national park. Makahiku Falls is a 200-foot horsetail waterfall in Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It runs on the Ohe'o Gulch stream. The falls is accessed by the Pipiwai Trail.[2]
ʻOheʻo Gulch
Waterfall, Nature and wildlife, Park
Waimoku Falls
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Sliding Sands Trail
Hiking trail, Outdoor activities, Park, Relax in park
Haleakalā National Park
National park in Maui County, Hawaii. Haleakalā National Park is an American national park located on the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. Named after Haleakalā, a dormant volcano within its boundaries, the park covers an area of 33,265 acres, of which 24,719 acres is a wilderness area. The land was designated a national park in 1976 and its boundaries expanded in 2005.[3]
Crater Historic District
The Crater Historic District encompasses National Park Service structures within Haleakala National Park. The buildings include utility structures, employee housing, administration facilities and visitor services facilities. Most were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps to standard Park Service designs in the 1930s. A few World War II era buildings survive from U.S. Army construction, and are included in the historic district. The Crater Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 1, 1974.
The Park Service adapted its preferred National Park Service rustic style to the Hawaiian Islands, avoiding the heavy log construction characteristic of the western continental United States parks in favor of a frame-construction interpretation for most buildings. The House of the Sun Visitor Center stands as the closest example of the mainland style of rubble construction with heavy framing. Designed by Park Service architect Merel Sager, it is also one of the few buildings that were not built with CCC labor.[4]
Haleakala Summit Visitor Center
Big Bog
The Big Bog on the island of Maui is the largest high-altitude bog in the Hawaiian Islands. It is located on East Maui Volcano's east rift zone, at the border between Hāna Forest Reserve and Haleakalā National Park. It is alleged to be one of the wettest places on earth, with a reported annual rainfall of 404 inches for the period 1992-2018.[5]
Hōlua Cabin
Hiking, Wilderness hut
Kapalaoa Cabin
Hiking, Wilderness hut