ALOHA!
So the Hosmer Grove campground is the only campground on the summit side of Haleakala National Park that is accessible by car.
There are more campgrounds in Haleakala National Park, as well as cabins, within the park that are accessible by foot.
So…
Why camp in Haleakala National Park at Hosmer Grove?!
If you want to save money on accommodation, you might want to camp here.
If you want to get in a couple days of hiking around Haleakala, including a day of the famous Haleakala crater hike, you might want to camp here.
If you don’t want to have to wake up so early for the sunrise at the Haleakala summit, you might want to camp here!
Shorter drive time than any other accommodation option!
If you want to check out the night sky for stargazing at the Haleakala summit, you might want to camp here!
Stars Over Haleakala night sky astronomy series?!
When I was at Haleakala National Park in January 2020, they had just set up their very first night sky astronomy talk, said to be a “trial” and they were unsure if there was going to be another. It was free.
Well, prior to the whole travel world closing down, it seems that they had decided to continue it, as they had announced future dates. These were set to happen once a month. If this sort of thing interests you, stop by the Haleakala Visitor Center to see if they have something going on!
Now…
Quick tips for camping in Haleakala National Park at Hosmer Grove Campground
1. You need to make a reservation for camping at Hosmer Grove.
As of 2023, you need to make a reservation for camping at the Hosmer Grove Campground. (It used to be first come first serve.) See current updates.
Camping reservations for Haleakala National Park are made through the national park camping reservation website.
Even if you’re thinking about camping a few months out from now, take a look at the Hosmer Grove campground availability for the immediate future to see what kind of availability it has currently.
This will help you to determine how far in advance you should make your campground booking as your Haleakala travel date gets closer.
2. Camping at the Hosmer Grove campground is $5.
With the camping reservation system in place, there is a Hosmer Grove camping fee of $5. (It used to be free.)
3. The Haleakala summit is at over 10,000 feet.
The Hosmer Grove campground is at nearly 7,000 feet. Pack your clothes and layers accordingly!
4. The approximate drive time from the Hosmer Grove campground to the summit is around 30 minutes.
But it might take longer because you might want to stop along the way to take pictures!
5. While the campground is past the national park entrance, technically you are supposed to have a sunrise permit in order to be on the road in Haleakala National Park between the hours of 3am and 7am.
If you have a Hosmer Grove campground reservation, this can also serve as your permit for the Haleakala sunrise.
According to the National Park Service:
Campers who obtain a reservation to camp at Hosmer Grove campground also receive a reservation to view sunrise the morning after camping.
It used to be that even if you stayed at Hosmer Grove Campground, you would still need to get a separate sunrise permit, so this has changed so you don’t need to take that extra step!
6. The approximate drive time to the campground:
- From Paia to Hosmer Grove: 1 hour
- From Kahalui airport (OGG) to Hosmer Grove: 1 hour
- From Wailea (South Maui) to Hosmer Grove: a little over 1 hour
- From Kaanapali (West Maui) to Hosmer Grove: 1.5 hours
The Hosmer Grove campground is nowhere near Hana. The Hosmer Grove Campground to Hana is around a 2.5 hour drive in good driving conditions.
The unofficial start of the Road to Hana is Paia. So to get from Hosmer Grove Campground to the Road to Hana is around 1 hour drive.
How much does it cost to camp at Hosmer Grove?
In addition to the camping fee for Hosmer Grove campground, there is a national park fee for entering the park.
Photo taken in 2020, but the fees are the same for 2023. You can check current fees here.
If you’re planning to go to the other side of the national park, know that an individual pass will last for 3 days, so you can use the same pass.
You also have the option of buying a Hawaii national park pass or a U.S. national park pass.
More below about getting to the Hosmer Grove campground!
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And now…
PHOTOS!
So it’s a great scenic drive to get to the Haleakala National Park entrance!
The road to the Hosmer Grove campground is shortly after the park entrance.
You’ll see a sign pointing to it.
Then you’ll drive down a short road.
First you’ll come across a couple of small parking areas. This is overflow parking.
So you can keep driving to see if there’s parking available at the (tiny) parking lot in front of the campground.
Then you’ll reach the end of the road and see the campground!
You’ll see the bathroom and small shelter area as you reach the campground.
Hosmer Grove campground photos
And that’s a bit about the closest (only) campground to the Haleakala summit that you can drive to!
I checked out the Hosmer Grove Campground in 2020. Your experience may vary!
See more about planning your visit to Haleakala National Park!
And preparing for an island camping trip is a little different than preparing for a camping trip that you can drive to!
Be sure to see ideas for what to pack for camping in Hawaii!
Plus, if you are interested in Hosmer Grove Campground, then you may also be interested in these top activities on Maui:
- Driving to the Haleakala summit
- Sliding Sands Trail
- Pipiwai Trail
- Waihee Ridge Trail
- Iao Valley lookout
- How to spend one day in the West Maui Mountains
- Kapalua Coastal Trail
- Nakalele Blowhole
- Hoapili Trail
- Best of Maui hiking
HAPPY CAMPING IN HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK ON THE SUMMIT SIDE!
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