Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)

    Camping

Season Dates

What is a booking window?

This site follows the campground booking window. Individual sites at this campground operate on a 6-month rolling basis:

  • Can be booked through Thu, April 3rd 2025. Select dates for availability.
  • On April 04, 2025 at 05:00 pm GMT, availability will be released through October 04, 2025.


Overview

There are two primitive wilderness tent areas which are accessible only by trail, Hōlua and Palikū. Backcountry users must plan to enter the park entrance for their stay no earlier than 7 am unless they have also obtained a sunrise reservation granting access to the park between 3 and 7 am. Sunrise reservations can be made on recreation.gov.


Hōlua, the wilderness tent area reached by the shortest hike, lies at 6,940 ft (2,115m) in the shrubland near Koʻolau Gap. Hōlua is 3.7 mi (6 km) one way down the Halemauʻu trail or 7.4 mi one way (12km) from the Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) trailhead. Visitors staying at Hōlua can enjoy day hikes further into the crater. The landscape around Hōlua supports a native shrubland which colonizes the lava flows. 


At 6,380 ft (1,945m), Palikū is on the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. This wilderness tent area is reached via a strenuous 9.3 mi (15km) one way hike on the Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 10.4 mi (17km) one way hike on the Halemauʻu Trail. Clouds and fog often roll over the top of the cliffs behind Palikū, and rain is common. The extra moisture makes this spot exceptionally cool and lush.  



Facilities

Both wilderness tent areas have 4 designated individual tent sites (5 people, 2 tents maximum) and 1 group site (10 people, 4 tents maximum). One pit toilet is located nearby in both wilderness tent areas. A non-potable water spigot is located outside of the wilderness visitor cabins adjacent to the wilderness tent areas.



Natural Features

Sites are located inside Haleakalā crater and involve a strenuous hike. Campers should prepare for hot, sunny, cold, wet, and windy conditions as weather can change rapidly. There is no shade or water on the crater floor, and temperatures can vary from 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, so pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and layers. If it is stormy, winds can exceed 80 miles per hour with temperatures dropping well below freezing. 


Hiking trails may be steep. Terrain may include loose cinders and/or rocks. Change in altitude can be from a high of 9,780ft to a low of 6,380ft. Due to the soft sandy nature of the trails, plan on spending twice as much time to hike out as to hike in. 



Recreation

Both tent areas are wonderful opportunities for night sky viewing in what's considered one of the quietest natural places on earth! Campers may even come across native species such as the Nēnē (Hawaiian goose). Please remember to keep your distance from any wildlife and refrain from freeding them. 


From both Hōlua and Palikū campsites, campers have the option to day hike on trail through the crater. Locations to enjoy from Hōlua may be the Silversword loop or the loop around Halaliʻi cinder cone. Locations to enjoy from Palikū may be a loop hike toward Kapaloa or toward Kaupo Gap and back. Visit https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/maps.htm to plan your day hikes from either campsite. Please stay on designated trails throughout your crater journey and pack out everything with you!



Recreation Sites

  • Hike To
  • Group Hike To
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Backpacking
  • Birding
  • Camping
  • Wilderness
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Star Gazing
  • Hiking

Amenities

  • Water Spigot
  • Pit Toilets

Nearby Attractions

Campsites are located near the wilderness visitor cabins. A wilderness tent permit does not grant access to any wilderness cabin within the crater. Wilderness cabins can be reserved through rec.gov.


Guest Reviews (190)

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    Christopher H

    Loop: Hōlua, Site: Hōlua 3
    Reservation Dates: 2/14/2025 - 2/16/2025

    Amazing stars!

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  • 3 out of 5 stars

    Robert L

    Loop: Hōlua, Site: Hōlua 5 (Group)
    Reservation Dates: 2/11/2025 - 2/12/2025

    Nice, but expensive tent camping. 30$ to get in the Park and $20 a night to pitch a tent = $50, plus $20 in gas. Backcountry camping soothes the soul and is good for people, but who sets these fees?...

    Phone Carrier: Verizon
    Coverage Strength: (0) No Service
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  • 5 out of 5 stars

    Troy A

    Loop: Hōlua, Site: Hōlua 2
    Reservation Dates: 2/9/2025 - 2/10/2025

    Excellent sites at Holua, with care taken to generate a sense of solitude even though spaces are not far apart (strategic placement among bushes makes each spot feel isolated). Some difficulty in dete...

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    Coverage Strength: (0) No Service
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4.6
4.6 out of 5 stars

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