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Haleakala National Park Summit District Maui Hawaii

Haleakalā National Park Map – Summit & Kīpahulu Route Planner

Haleakalā looks simple on a small island map… until you zoom in and realize the park is split in two, the road to the summit climbs 10,000 ft in tight switchbacks, and the coastal Kīpahulu side hides at the far end of the Hāna Highway.

This page is your navigation hub for Haleakalā National Park:

  • How the park is laid out (Summit District vs Kīpahulu District)
  • Which roads you actually drive to reach each side
  • Key viewpoints, trailheads, and parking lots to find on the map
  • Realistic drive times from Maui’s resort areas
  • How to decide between self-driving and guided tours

Quick booking tip
If you don’t love the idea of driving steep, dark switchbacks or the full Road to Hāna, use this map guide to understand the layout—then book sunrise, sunset, downhill bike, or Road to Hāna + Kīpahulu tours through trusted resellers (Viator, GetYourGuide, etc.) with free cancellation. It’s the low-stress, low-risk way to see the park.

Popular Ways to Enjoy Haleakala National Park
— Haleakala summit sunrise experience above the clouds: magical, otherworldly
— Exciting downhill bike ride along the slopes of Haleakala
— Haleakala summit sunset tour with dinner: twilight experience
— Hiking the Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District (self-drive or small group Road to Hana tour)

How to use this Haleakalā map page

Use this page together with:

You’ll be able to:

  • Picture where everything is before you go
  • Decide which day is “summit day” and which is “Kīpahulu / Road to Hāna day”
  • Choose the smartest mix of self-drive + tours for your comfort level

Where is Haleakalā National Park on Maui?

Haleakalā National Park covers the eastern and central bulk of Maui, from the 10,023-ft summit of the volcano down to the remote Kīpahulu coast near Hāna. The two main visitor areas are:

  • Summit District (Crater / “House of the Sun”) – accessed via Route 37 → 377 → 378 inland from Kahului.
  • Kīpahulu District (coastal rainforest) – accessed via Hāna Highway (36/360) → 31, beyond Hāna town.

There is no road inside the park connecting the summit to Kīpahulu. You must drive around via the island highways to reach each district separately.

Typical drive times (by district)

From the NPS FAQ and directions pages (times vary with traffic, weather, and how often you stop):

Departure areaTo Summit DistrictTo Kīpahulu District
Kahului (airport area)~45 min–1 hr~2.5–3 hrs
Kīhei / Wailea~1–1.5 hrs~2.5–3 hrs
Lāhainā / Kaʻanapali area~1.5–2 hrs~3–4 hrs


Pro Tip
These are driving times, not sightseeing times. On the Hāna Highway, add extra time for one-lane bridges, photo stops, traffic, and snacks.

Summit vs Kīpahulu – understanding the map layout

Summit District at a glance

The Summit District is where you’ll find:

  • Park Entrance Station – where you show your pass/fee receipt
  • Headquarters Visitor Center / lower visitor center near Hosmer Grove (forest, short nature trail, camping)
  • Halemauʻu Trailhead and pullout
  • Leleiwi & Kalahaku overlooks – classic crater viewpoints
  • Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,7xx ft) – main sunrise viewpoint area and visitor facilities
  • Pā Kaʻoao (White Hill) – short, steep walk to a panoramic view
  • Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill) summit (10,023 ft) – the very top, with a parking area and shelter

Two major trails drop from the rim into the crater:

  • Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail – from near the upper visitor center into the crater.
  • Halemauʻu Trail – from a lower trailhead along the park road into and out of the crater.

Kīpahulu District at a glance

On the far southeast coast, the Kīpahulu map shows:

  • Kīpahulu entrance station & parking
  • Kīpahulu Visitor Center
  • Kūloa Point Trail – short coastal loop to ocean views and ʻOheʻo Gulch overlooks
  • Pīpīwai Trail – 3.4–4 mi round trip up through bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls
  • Campground and day-use facilities

Think of your Haleakalā map as two separate insets: one for the high, dry summit; one for the lush, coastal Kīpahulu valley.

Summit driving map – your route up the volcano

From Kahului and central Maui you’ll follow:

  1. Route 37 (Haleakalā Highway) up through farm and ranch country
  2. Route 377 (short connector)
  3. Route 378 (Crater Road) – the steep, winding climb to the summit

Key map points in order as you drive up:

  1. Kula – last services before the park (gas is back toward Pukalani; no fuel in the park)
  2. Park Entrance Station – you’ll pay or show your pass here
  3. Hosmer Grove – short forest loop trail, picnic area
  4. Headquarters / Park Visitor Center area – lower visitor info
  5. Halemauʻu Trailhead parking – on a bend along the road
  6. Leleiwi & Kalahaku overlooks – pullouts for crater views
  7. Haleakalā Visitor Center & Pā Kaʻoao – main sunrise area, Sliding Sands trailhead nearby
  8. Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (summit) – end of the road, 10,023 ft

Pro Tip
If the map makes the road look short, remember: you’re climbing almost 10,000 ft in about 37–40 miles. It feels longer than it looks, especially in the dark or in clouds.

Smart move for nervous drivers:
Use this map to understand the layout, then consider a summit sunrise, sunset, or downhill bike tour booked via a major reseller. They handle the driving and timing; you focus on the views.

Kīpahulu & Hāna Highway – how the coastal side fits in

On your island map you’ll trace the famous Hāna Highway (Hwy 36/360) along the north and east coast, then continue on Hwy 31 (the Hāna Belt Road) south to Kīpahulu.

  • Hāna Highway is roughly 64 miles from Kahului to Hāna, with countless curves and many one-lane bridges.
  • Kīpahulu entrance is near mile marker 41 beyond Hāna.
  • NPS and travel guides suggest 2.5–3 hours from Kahului to Kīpahulu without stops; in real life, many visitors take longer.

On the Kīpahulu map you’ll see:

  • Parking and entrance just off the highway
  • Short Kūloa Point loop near the ocean
  • The start of the Pīpīwai Trail heading mauka (uphill) through forest

Pro Tip
Don’t try to do summit sunrise + full Road to Hāna + Kīpahulu in one day just because the lines look short on a map. Local guides and the NPS strongly recommend one district per day.

If the Hāna map looks intimidating, look at guided Road to Hāna + Kīpahulu tours on Viator/GetYourGuide and similar platforms (like this one). They follow the same road but with a professional driver, commentary, and usually free cancellation in case of bad weather.

Map of key viewpoints & trailheads (Summit District)

Use this table with the summit map to get your bearings:

Map label / areaWhat you’ll findWhy it matters
Hosmer GroveForest loop trail, picnic areaFirst cool stop after the gate; good leg stretch and bird-spotting.
Halemauʻu TrailheadParking and trail into craterStart/end of the Halemauʻu route; important for loop or point-to-point hikes.
Leleiwi OverlookShort path to crater viewGreat “first crater look” without big hiking commitment.
Kalahaku OverlookHigh viewpoint above craterSweeping crater views; fantastic photo stop.
Haleakalā Visitor CenterMain sunrise area, info, restroomsCore hub near the rim; Sliding Sands trail starts nearby.
Pā Kaʻoao (White Hill)Short, steep walk above visitor centerEasy mini-hike with huge payoff views.
Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) TrailheadTrail into craterThe classic descent into Haleakalā’s “Martian” landscape.
Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill)Highest point, parking, shelterTrue summit and 360° views over Maui and on clear days other islands.

Offline maps, GPS, and cell coverage

Haleakalā is not a place to rely on constant bars of cellular service.

The NPS safety and basic info pages note that:

  • There is no cell phone service inside Haleakalā Crater, and coverage at trailheads is very limited.
  • Summit road viewpoints have spotty reception at best; some visitors only get a signal on certain ridges.
  • Kīpahulu’s coastal area often has little to no reception.

Before you go, based on your map:

  • Download offline maps for Maui, Haleakalā Summit, and Kīpahulu in your map app.
  • Screenshot the NPS summit and Kīpahulu maps on your phone or print them.
  • Mark key points: entrance stations, visitor centers, main trailheads, your lodging.

Good to Know
The NPS strongly recommends carrying a paper map, telling someone your plan, and not assuming you can call for help from inside the crater. If you plan serious hiking, your map is safety gear, not just navigation.

Self-drive vs tour – how your map helps you choose

Once you see the roads and distances laid out, the big decision is drive yourself or book tours for specific sections.

When a tour makes more sense

  • Summit sunrise – steep, dark, often foggy; you also need a separate sunrise vehicle reservation if driving yourself between 3 am and 7 am. Tours bundle transport+permit.
  • Sunset & stargazing – night driving down the mountain isn’t for everyone; tours let you watch the sky instead of the road.
  • Road to Hāna + Kīpahulu – full day of narrow curves and one-lane bridges; many visitors prefer to let a pro handle it.
  • Downhill bike tours – bike companies operate just outside the park but use the same mountain roads; your map shows where they stage and end their rides.

Booking via major resellers usually means:

  • Free cancellation on many options up to about 24 hours before, perfect for weather flexibility
  • Lots of recent reviews and Q&A to match the tour to your comfort level

Map-based sample day plans

Use your map plus these simple routes to visualize your days:

1) Summit “classic” day (self-drive or tour)

  • Follow 37 → 377 → 378 to the summit
  • Stop at Hosmer Grove, then continue to the Haleakalā Visitor Center and nearby overlooks
  • Short walks to Pā Kaʻoao and/or a “taster” of Sliding Sands
  • Summit stop at Puʻu ʻUlaʻula before descending

2) Kīpahulu day (often combined with Road to Hāna)

  • Follow Hāna Highway to Hāna, then onward to the Kīpahulu park entrance
  • Hike Pīpīwai Trail and stroll the Kūloa Point loop
  • Use the map to time your return before the park’s day-use closure

What to read next

Now that you can picture Haleakalā on the map, next steps are simple:

Do that, and your Haleakalā map stops being a confusing double-inset of lines and contours and becomes exactly what you need: a simple, visual blueprint for once-in-a-lifetime crater views, rainforest hikes, and zero “wait, where are we?” moments.

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