Haleakala National Park (Cabin Permits)
Located on the island of Maui, Haleakalā National Park maintains three wilderness cabins for visitor use-- Hōlua, Palikū, and Kapalaoa. All cabins are accessible only by trail from the summit area and require you to hike a minimum of 3.7 mi (5.9 km). 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.
Horses, mules, and donkeys are permitted as pack animals on the Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail, Halemauʻu Trail, and Supply Trail. If planning to travel by pack animal--please notify park staff upon making reservation. All waste produced by pack animals must be removed from parking areas and trailheads. No group may have more than 12 pack animals. Riders, commercial operators, and owners are responsible for the removal of dead or injured stock within 72 hours. Pets of any other kind are prohibited on all trails.
Hōlua Cabin, located at 6,940 ft (2,115 m) is nestled at the base of the crater wall in the shrubland near Koʻolau Gap. This is the cabin reached by the shortest hike. Hōlua is 3.7 mi (6 km) one way down the Halemauʻu trail or 7.4 mi one way (12 km) 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. A wilderness tent camp area is located nearby.
Palikū Cabin located at 6,380 ft (1,945 m) is on the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. This cabin is reached via a strenuous 9.3 mi (15 km) one way hike on the Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 10.4 mi (17 km) 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. A wilderness tent camp area is located nearby.
Kapalaoa Cabin located at 7,250 ft (2,210 m) is perched near the Kaupō Gap on the southern end of the wilderness valley. This cabin is reached via a 5.6 mi (2.7 km) hike via Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 7.2 mi (11.6 km) hike on the Halemauʻu Trail. Kapalaoa is located in a grass field and is not accompanied by a wilderness tent area.
Message of Cultural Sensitivity: Upon entering Haleakalā National Park, you are a guest of the Hawaiian culture, which considers the entire area sacred. Each person should behave as if entering a temple or reverent place in his or her own culture or belief system. The rocks, the plants and even the silence are part of the sacredness and should not be disturbed. For Native Hawaiians, Haleakalā represents an important place within their culture.
There are no food establishments, stores, showers, or laundry facilities in the park.
One pit toilet is located nearby each visitor cabin. A non-potable water spigot is located outside of the wilderness visitor cabins which is adjacent to the wilderness tent areas (Palikū and Hōlua).
Each of the park’s three wilderness cabins are equipped with 18 lockers; each locker contains three logs and is assigned to each reservation night. Your locker number(s) and combination(s) will be issued by park staff via email from the hale_interpretation@nps.gov account prior to reservation date. Bring a lighter or matches to start the wood and propane stoves. The park cannot guarantee that propane or wood will be available. Extra wood logs are available for purchase at the park store.
Need to Know
Booking a Last Minute Reservation? If you are making a reservation within a week of your first night due to a previous cancellation, contact hale_interpretation@nps.gov or call 808-572-4400 to confirm entry and wood locker codes.
Cabin Guidelines: All garbage, food, and personal gear must be packed out. Check-in/check-out time is NOON. Respect other visitors' right to quiet and solitude--quiet hours are 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Visitors to the cabins are advised to sanitize before and after use utilizing their own cleaning supplies that should be packed out. Cabins should be left clean and fire completely out. LOCK DOORS and windows when you leave. You may be fined for dirty or damaged cabins or denied future access. Graffiti on the natural and constructed environment is considered vandalism and will be prosecuted. Cabin is for the EXCLUSIVE USE of permittee and registered guests. Campers are told to respect cabin user privacy and should not be let in.
REQUIRED: Prior to their trip, all visitors MUST watch “Haleakalā NP’s Leave No Trace (LNT) Video” to set expectations on how to recreate responsibly in Haleakalā National Park’s wilderness. https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/wilderness-cabins.htm
Reservation Permit. A printed copy of the reservation MUST be held by the reservation holder at all times. Reservations are non-transferable. The reservation holder is legally responsible for the actions and safety of the group. Leave an itinerary and guest list with a friend. If you are renting a vehicle- please enter “Rental” in the license plate form field. When you arrive on island, you MUST log back into recreation.gov to enter your rental car plate. Once your permit is printed you cannot edit your license plates. Email hale_interpretation@nps.gov with updated license plate information if unable to update online.
Facilities. All three cabins offer pit toilets and non-potable water. You must filter or treat water before drinking. Each cabin has a wood-burning stove, a two-burner propane stove, and 12 padded bunks. Bring a lighter or matches. During drought, you must pack in all your water. No electricity in the cabins. There is no cell service in the wilderness.
Wood and Propane Supply. Locker number(s) and combination(s) will be issued by park staff via email to the email account listed on the reservation from the hale_interpretation@nps.gov account. The park cannot guarantee that propane or wood will be available. A fire starter is recommended if intending to utilize the wood stove. Extra logs and fire starters are available for purchase at the Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,740ft).
Essentials. first aid kit, trail map, compass, extra food, Extra water (3 - 4 liters per person/day), flashlight, headlight with extra batteries, tent/shelter with rain fly, sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat), sleeping bag, emergency blanket, extra layers (rain jacket/pants), pocket knife and gear repair kit
Fires. Open fires or gathering firewood is NOT allowed. Fires are permitted in the wood stove only. Don't move firewood from outside the park. The park provides three logs per night. Extra logs are available for purchase at the Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,740ft). Do not give out logs to campers.
Entrance Fee. A separate park entrance fee, valid for three days, is required. The park honors interagency passes.
Stay on Trails. Hiking off trail and short-cutting switchbacks is prohibited and subject to citation. Off-trail hiking causes erosion and damages fragile and/or endangered life forms that are not readily apparent to the casual observer.
Restrictions. NO pets, firearms or wheeled vehicles. NO feeding or harassment of wildlife. NO picking plants, disturbing rocks, building cairns.
Visited Hawaii Island or Kauai recently? All gear, especially shoes must be cleaned thoroughly to prevent rapid ʻōhia death (ROD) Wiping down gear with a 70% alcohol solution is recommeneded to satisfy this requirement.
Kaupō Gap Trail: The Kaupō Gap Trail leaves the boundary of Haleakalā National Park and is not maintained by the NPS. Hikers assume all risk on this rugged, unmaintained, and brushy trail. At times, the trail can be difficult to follow or find. Several hikers have become disoriented, lost, or injured while navigating this trail. NPS officials highly recommend travel on either the Halemauʻu or Keoneheʻeheʻe Trails to access Haleakalā Crater.
No Camping: camping outside the cabin in non-designated camping space is prohibited
Pack Animals: If planning to travel by pack animal--please notify park staff upon making your reservation to ensure sufficient paddock space is available. All waste produced by pack animals must be removed from parking areas and trailheads. No group may have more than 12 pack animals. Riders, commercial operators, and owners are responsible for the removal of dead or injured stock within 72 hours. Pets of any other kind are prohibited on all trails.
Natural Features
Cabins are located inside Haleakalā crater and involve a strenuous hike around distinctive cinder cones. 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.
Nearby Attractions
Visitor cabins are located near the wilderness tent areas. A wilderness tent permit does not grant access to any wilderness cabin within the crater and vice versa. Wilderness tent sites can be reserved through rec.gov.
Recreation
All cabins are wonderful opportunities for night sky viewing in what's considered one of the quietest natural places on earth! Visitors to the crater may even come across native species such as the Nēnē (Hawaiian goose). Please remember to keep your distance from any wildlife and refrain from feeding them.
While staying in the crater, cabin users 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 Kapalaoa or toward Kaupo Gap and back. Visit https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/maps.htm to plan your day hikes from any cabin. Please stay on designated trails throughout your crater journey and pack out everything with you!
Changes & Cancellations
Reservations are non-transferable.
1) Cancellations prior to 14 days---$10.00 charge + partial refund
2) Cancellations within 14 days of arrival---No refund
3) $10.00 change fee per reservation night prior to 7 days. No changes within 7 days (not counting arrival day)
Contact Information
Default
PO Box 369 Makawao HI 96768
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 808-572-4487
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Getting There (GPS Info):
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude( (NAD83)
N-20.7689599
W-156.2430039
Directions to the Summit Area (mountain and crater): There are brown information signs along the way. From Kahului, take Hana Highway (SR36) and travel 2.0 miles (toward Hana). Turn right onto Haleakala Highway (SR37) and travel for 7.8 miles. Turn left onto State Highway 377 and travel for 6 miles. Turn left onto Crater Road (large brown wooden Haleakala NP sign mounted in median) and travel for 1.2 miles. Continue on Crater Road for 9.9 miles to arrive at the park boundary/Entrance Station. The Summit (elevation 10,023ft 3055m) is 11 miles, about an additional 30-minute drive, beyond the Entrance Station.Available Campsites
- Site Holua Cabin, Loop Holua Cabin, Type Cabin Nonelectric
- Site Paliku Cabin, Loop Paliku Cabin, Type Cabin Nonelectric
- Site Kapalaoa Cabin, Loop Kapalaoa Cabin, Type Cabin Nonelectric
