Car camping at Hosmer Grove atop Haleakala National Park on the East side of Maui offers a unique experience. Haleakala is a massive “shield volcano” with a summit of 10,023 ft or 3,055 m. The peak of Haleakala (“House of the Sun”) is know as Pu’u Ula’ula. From the summit there are amazing 360 degree views of Maui and even the neighboring Big Island but it’s the spectacular sunrises and sunsets that Haleakala is famous for!
Many visitors will wake up at 2:oo am to make the long drive/tour up the volcano just to catch the sunrise. Others will arrive hours early to save a spot for the sunset show. However, only a few get to see both! This is just one of the many reasons to camp overnight at Hosmer Grove. You can arrive mid-day and hike the trails of Haleakala then return to the summit to watch the sunset. In the morning you can awake to the spectacular sunrise! Park pass can be purchased at the entrance, currently $30.00. The park pass is good for 3 days so you have plenty of time to see all the sights including a sunrise AND sunset!
If you are thinking of visiting Haleakala and camping at Hosmer Grove, consider renting a CampCar. With a rooftop popup tent, it makes setup simple and it also provides a warm and cozy place to sleep. Haleakala can get very cold at night!