A “must see” is the Haleakala Crater which is 3,000 feet deep, 7 ½ miles long, 2 ½ miles wide and big enough to hold Manhattan. 

Driving the snaky switchback-laden road to the Summit is half the fun so if you don’t have a lot of time to enjoy the scenery, save the trip for another visit.  

Also, the trek to the Kipahulu area can take up to 4 hours one-way. You need at least two days to visit both areas of the park. 

The Kalahaku Overlook on the way to the Summit is a good place to see a silversword, a rare plant that only grows in Hawaii and takes from 4 to 50 years to bloom. They usually bloom between May and October and send up a 1 to 6-foot stalk with a purple bouquet of sunflower-like blooms. Don’t touch as they are very rare. 

On the 37-mile descent from the Haleakala Crater summit, put your car is low gear or you may see smoke coming from the brakes as you will be riding them the whole time. 

Be prepared and bring your own food and water as there are not facilities or concessions in the park. And don’t forget to fill up the gas tank on your way to the summit as the nearest gas station is in Pukalani, about 27 miles below the summit.