How To Experience Maui’s Haleakala Sunrise with Kids

We added another bucket list destination to our belts! Indeed we took advantage of amazing deals, credit card miles, and a companion pass to travel to Maui. One of our first stop on our trip was to watch the sunrise over Mount Haleakala. If you ever wondered what it feels like to be on top of the world, the summit of Maui’s Haleakala will get you pretty close.

Haleakala, or “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian, is a dormant volcano, 10,023 feet above sea level. It is located on the south-eastern coast of the island, and is visible from almost anywhere on Maui. On clear days, you will be able to see the night sky and the stars slowly fade away as the sun lights up the sky and earth. It is certainly one of the most spectacular places to see the sun rise. In this guide, I will give you all the best tips for an enjoyable visit with kids.

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Make a Reservation for Haleakala Sunrise

The most important tip you need to know is that you will need a reservation to see the sunrise at Haleakala summit. A reservation is required for each vehicle entering the park between 3 am and 7 am. It only costs $1 however there is a separate park entrance fee of $30 payable by credit card on the day of your visit. The park fee is valid for 3 days (useful for when driving on the Road to Hana!)

As of April 7, 2021 you can book your reservation up to 60 days in advance here. The booking system opens at 7 am Hawaiian Time. There are only 50 slots open each day and they go within seconds! To increase your chance of scoring one of the coveted spots, follow these steps:

• book exactly 60 days in advance
• use a computer, not your smartphone
• sign up or log in into your Recreation.gov account before hand
• start refreshing the booking page a couple minutes before the opening time
• don’t despair if you don’t get it on your first try. Try for the other days you are on the island. It took me 4 tries (and countless itinerary changes) to finally score a reservation

In the event you are not able to get a reservation, know that you still have other options: there are several tour companies that can take you there although they will cost you a pretty penny. You can also attend sunset at Haleakala. Some people actually prefer that option especially since you won’t need a reservation for that. The following tips can still be helpful if you go at sunset.

When to Arrive For Sunrise at Mt Haleakala

Experiencing the sunrise at Haleakala means you will need to wake up at some ungodly hours. I therefore recommend going there on the first couple days following your arrival. You will most probably still going to be jetlagged and will be awake early. Plan to arrive by 5 am. This will give you plenty of time to go to the restrooms and find a good spot to view the Haleakala sunrise.

Depending on where you are staying in Maui, it can take you up to 4 hours to get to the Summit District of Haleakala National Park. To get there, from Kahului take Route 37 to 377 to 378 (Crater Road). Driving time to the summit from: Kahului is 1.5 to 2.5 hours, Kihei/Wailea is 1.5 to 3 hours, Lahaina is 2 to 3 hours, and east Maui is 3 to 4h. 

Driving Tips For Haleakala National Park

Drive carefully! Speed limit is only 20 mph once you are inside the park and for good reason. The 2-lane road up to the summit is full of switchbacks and there are no streetlights or guard rails. It will be pitch black. Keep your eyes on the road at all time. Be aware of drivers behind you and pull over in one of the pullouts to let them pass. Other things to watch out for along the way is wildlife and cyclists (you might encounter them on the way down). So just drive safely and be vigilant!

There are no gas stations on the way up to Haleakala National Park so make sure to fill up the tank before hand. I actually recommend doing it the night before so you don’t have to stop anywhere in the wee hours of the morning when it is still so dark out.

If your passengers are prone to motion sickness, have them take some Dramamine 30 to 60 minutes before the drive (click here for Children’s Dramamine) Another important tip, keep an eye on family members especially young kids for any sign of altitude sickness. If you are susceptible to altitude issues, be sure to pack some altitude sickness prevention pills with you. You don’t want to spend the day feeling light-headed, dizzy, or even nauseous.

How to Keep Your Kids Entertained During the Wait

Road trips are one of those times where I throw my screen time rule out of the window. However because the road up to the Haleakala summit is so windy, I didn’t let my daughter watch her tablet. I was worried she’d have motion sickness. Instead I just put some soft music on. It kept her entertained and let me focus on the road. Tip: if you use Spotify, make sure to download any favorite playlists on your phone before hand as cell service is sketchy in the area. You may want to download Google Maps as well for offline use.

If you are traveling with other adults, you can split up so at least one adult can save your viewing spots at the summit while the other(s) can stay in the car with the kids. If you are traveling solo with the kids like me, pack out a blanket the kids can lie on and enjoy the view. The clear skies at this elevation make for a great stargazing session. An astronomy book or app on your phone can help. If you don’t remember or can’t figure out the constellations, invent your own! Anything to make the wait more enjoyable with the kiddos.

Now is also a good time to get the snacks and drinks out. Hot coffee for the grown ups and hot chocolate for the kiddos can make the wait a little more tolerable. Don’t forget to stay hydrated at this elevation.

What to Pack For the Haleakala Sunrise

Did you know that it snows in Hawaii? Since Haleakala sits at an high elevation, it gets pretty cold up there, and therefore it is not unusual to have snow at the summit. Temps are usually below freezing in the early morning. You want to make sure you are dressed accordingly. I would recommend several layers and a warm winter jacket or parka, hats and gloves. I would also suggest bringing a second set of clothes to change into for the rest of the day.

Here are other items to pack with you:

• Dramamine
• Altitude sickness prevention pills
• Tumbler for hot drinks
• Flashlight and/or headlamp
• Photography equipment
• Tripod
• Portable charging power bank
• Snacks and Drinks
• Blanket

Stay in Haleakala/Upcountry Afterwards

Don’t rush to go back to your hotel! Haleakala National Park is huge and the park offers plenty of things to do. Hiking and horseback riding tours around the crater, bike tours down the mountain, and ziplining figure among the most popular activities at the park.

Furthermore you can find plenty to do in the Upcountry. Kid-friendly activities in the region include: a visit to the goat farm of Surfing Goat Dairy to see goats and sample cheese and chocolate, tour a lavender farm, take a stroll at the Kula Botanical Gardens, grab a bite to eat at the Kula Lodge while enjoying sweeping views, visit the paniolo or “cowboy country” town of Makawao.

Witnessing the Haleakala sunrise was one of the most memorable moments we experienced on our Maui trip. To this day, it sure is one of the best sunrise I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Have you visited Haleakala at sunrise? Do you have other tips you recommend? Please feel free to leave any in the comments.

Thank you for reading xx

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY IDEAS IN MAUI:

• Road to Hana: How to survive the Road the Hana with kids
• Molokini Crater: Can you snorkel at Molokoni Crater with kids?
• 7-day Maui Itinerary: How to vacation to Maui with kids?

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY NATIONAL PARKS TRAVEL IDEAS:

• Zion: ultimate guide to hiking the Narrows with kids
• Bryce Canyon: the best hike at Bryce Canyon National Park
• Denali: guide to the best things to do at Denali National Park with kids
• Arches: hiking to Delicate Arch with kids