📸 Haleakalā Sunrise | Maui, Hawaii

2022Maui

May 14

If you’re planning a trip to Maui, witnessing sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā is a bucket list experience you absolutely can’t miss.

Rising 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakalā — meaning "House of the Sun" in Hawaiian — offers some of the most breathtaking sunrise views on Earth.
We started our journey at 1:30 a.m., driving the long, dark, winding road up to the Haleakalā Visitor Center at the summit.

And let me tell you: it was cold.
(Bring jackets, sweatshirts, pants — whatever you can pack. It was just under 40°F when we arrived.)

But the chill was worth every second.

As the horizon slowly lit up, the sky transformed through incredible shades of purple, pink, orange, and gold.
Watching the sun rise above the clouds was surreal — like standing on the edge of another world.

We stayed for about an hour after sunrise, soaking in the valley below as the sunlight spilled into the vast volcanic crater.

🌎 Location:

• 📍 Open Haleakalā National Park Visitor Center on Google Maps ➔

📌 Quick Info:

🏙️ City: Maui (near Kula)
🛻 Parking: At the Haleakalā Visitor Center (reservation required for sunrise)

🌄 Sunrise Time: Changes seasonally — double-check your ticket
🧭 Travel Tip: Book your sunrise reservation early — they sell out!
🎟️ Reservation: Required! Reserve here
🥶 Dress Warmly: It’s freezing at the summit (seriously)
📸 Best for: Photography, once-in-a-lifetime views
🅿️ Parking: Yes, designated lots available (reservation required)
🚻 Bathrooms: Yes, at the Visitor Center
🚲 Bike Rentals: None at the summit (bike tours available from lower elevations)
🕰️ Best Time to Explore: Sunrise (arrive 1–2 hours before for best spots)
♿ Accessibility: Yes — paved and accessible viewing platforms.

💡 Pro Tip:

Arrive at least 90 minutes before sunrise to find parking and get the best viewing spots.
Also, stay after the official sunrise time — once the sun rises over the clouds, the landscape below becomes even more magical as it lights up.

📸 Photography Tip:

Use a tripod to stabilize your camera for low-light shots. Capture silhouettes of people against the rising sun, and stay after the sun crests for magical golden-hour shots.

✨ Fun Fact:

The Haleakalā Crater is so vast, it could easily fit the entire island of Manhattan inside!
This national park is also home to species found nowhere else on Earth, including the rare ʻāhinahina (Haleakalā silversword).

🛻 Tips for the Drive Up

🚗 Watch for Cows!
On our early morning drive up, we actually encountered a confused cow standing in the middle of the road.
🛣️ Drive Slow:
It’s pitch dark, steep, and winding — take your time and watch for wildlife.
⛽ Fill Up Beforehand:
There are no gas stations in the park — make sure your tank is full before you head up.

🗺️ Planning Your Own Hawaii Adventure?

If you’re planning your own trip to Maui (or anywhere across Hawaii), you can find this unforgettable sunrise spot — and many more — on my public travel map:
👉 View My Hawaii Travel Map Here ➔