Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, United States
Haleakala sunrise reservations: when they open
On Recreation.gov at 07:00 Hawaii time (HST), 60 days before the sunrise date, with a second batch released at 07:00 HST two days before. You need one for each vehicle entering the park between 03:00 and 07:00.
- When does booking open?
- 07:00 HST, 60 days ahead, and again 2 days ahead. Hawaii does not use daylight saving: 07:00 HST is 09:00 Pacific or 12:00 Eastern in winter, and 10:00 Pacific or 13:00 Eastern in summer.
- How far ahead is that?
- 60 days ahead, or 2 days.
- Where do I book?
- Only on Recreation.gov, with an account. The other way in for sunrise is an authorised commercial tour listed by the park.
- Does it sell out?
- No published figure, and no reliable report was found for this check. The official pages say only that part of each day is held back for the 2-day release.
- Can I cancel or change?
- Non-refundable, and not refunded or exchanged because of weather.
Checked 15 October 2026
How to book
Book on Recreation.gov. The reservation costs $1 per vehicle and is not refunded. One customer can book only one vehicle every three days.
The park entrance fee is separate: $30 per private vehicle, valid three days, paid by card (the park takes no cash) or covered by a pass. Haleakala is not one of the parks charging the $100 nonresident fee in 2026.
At the gate, the reservation holder must be in the car with photo ID matching the booking and the confirmation email.
If it’s sold out
Try again at 07:00 HST two days before.
Book an authorised commercial sunrise tour; the park lists them on its road-based concessioner page.
Go for sunset, or enter after 07:00: the reservation is only for entry between 03:00 and 07:00.
Booking for a group
One reservation per vehicle, and one vehicle per customer every three days. A group in two cars needs two reservations made by two different people.
Each reservation holder must ride in the car their reservation is for and show photo ID. The entrance fee is per vehicle, not per person.
Good to know
- Weather before dawn at the summit is often wet, windy and below freezing: bring warm layers.
- Weather is no reason for a refund, so pick an early day of your Maui stay and keep later days free to try the 2-day release if clouds spoil it.
- Bring a card for the entrance fee: the park does not take cash.
Sources
- Recreation.gov: Haleakala summit sunrise reservations (official): Bookable 60 days and 2 days in advance at 7:00 am HST; one vehicle reservation every three days; non-refundable; holder shows photo ID.
- NPS Haleakala: Sunrise (official): Up to 60 days ahead at 7:00 am HST, with a portion released 2 days ahead; no refunds or exchanges for weather.
- NPS Haleakala: Fees and passes (official): $1 sunrise reservation per vehicle entering 3:00 to 7:00 a.m.; private vehicle entrance $30; no cash accepted.
- Recreation.gov: Haleakala sunrise ticket (official): $1 non-refundable fee; one per customer every three days; one reservation per vehicle; photo ID matching the holder.
Checked on 15 October 2026. Booking rules change; the official site has the last word.