Openings · last 7 days
11
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 11 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-10119505
When Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit) reopens
Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)'s openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
17
Openings · last 90 days
18
Only 18 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 10 monitored sites
Of the 1,830 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 1,619 open for online reservation · 211 reserved.
Where the open windows are
11.5% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 1,619 of 1,830 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online11.5%
Open site-nights1,619 / 1,830
Reserved (of online inventory)211 / 1,830
Weekday openings936
Weekend openings683
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 936 fall on weekdays and 683 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027December holds the most room. 291 of 310 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 10 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 5 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 3 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 8 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 8 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 9 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 8 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 10 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 1 site is available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 7 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 8 sites are available for the complete two-night stay.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| Palikū 5 (Group) | 172 |
| Palikū 2 | 171 |
| Hōlua 4 | 165 |
| Palikū 3 | 162 |
| Palikū 1 | 161 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
The next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
1,619 open site-nights across 10 sites at Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit), from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 111 2-night, 96 3-night, 62 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 18 at site Hōlua 1.
All 10 sites with current availability
| Site | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palikū 5 (Group) | None | 172 | 73 nights | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +160 more |
| Palikū 2 | None | 171 | 85 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +159 more |
| Hōlua 4 | None | 165 | 61 nights | Sep 18, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 5 +153 more |
| Palikū 3 | None | 162 | 61 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 4 +150 more |
| Palikū 1 | None | 161 | 48 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 5 +149 more |
| Hōlua 5 (Group) | None | 160 | 72 nights | Sep 18, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 2, Oct 4, Oct 5 +148 more |
| Palikū 4 | None | 160 | 66 nights | Sep 18, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 5 +148 more |
| Hōlua 2 | None | 159 | 49 nights | Sep 18, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 15 +147 more |
| Hōlua 3 | None | 158 | 54 nights | Sep 21, Sep 24, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +146 more |
| Hōlua 1 | None | 151 | 30 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 30, Oct 1 +139 more |
About Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)
Overview
There are two primitive wilderness tent areas which are accessible only by trail, Hōlua and Palikū. 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.
Hōlua, the wilderness tent area reached by the shortest hike, lies at 6,940 ft (2,115m) in the shrubland near Koʻolau Gap. Hōlua is 3.7 mi (6 km) one way down the Halemauʻu trail or 7.4 mi one way (12km) 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.
At 6,380 ft (1,945m), Palikū is on the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. This wilderness tent area is reached via a strenuous 9.3 mi (15km) one way hike on the Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trail or 10.4 mi (17km) 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.
Recreation
Both tent areas are wonderful opportunities for night sky viewing in what's considered one of the quietest natural places on earth! Campers may even come across native species such as the Nēnē (Hawaiian goose). Please remember to keep your distance from any wildlife and refrain from freeding them.
From both Hōlua and Palikū campsites, campers 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 Kapaloa or toward Kaupo Gap and back. Visit https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/maps.htm to plan your day hikes from either campsite. Please stay on designated trails throughout your crater journey and pack out everything with you!
Facilities
Both wilderness tent areas have 4 designated individual tent sites (5 people, 2 tents maximum) and 1 group site (10 people, 4 tents maximum). One pit toilet is located nearby in both wilderness tent areas. A non-potable water spigot is located outside of the wilderness visitor cabins adjacent to the wilderness tent areas.
Natural Features
Sites are located inside Haleakalā crater and involve a strenuous hike. 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
Campsites are located near the wilderness visitor cabins. A wilderness tent permit does not grant access to any wilderness cabin within the crater. Wilderness cabins can be reserved through rec.gov.
10 monitored sitesNo hookupsMax party 10
Getting there
For maps of the island and the park visit https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/maps.htm To the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park: There are brown information signs along the way. From Kahului, take Hana Highway (SR36) and travel 2.0 miles (toward Hana). Turn right onto Haleakalā 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 Haleakalā 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 of Haleakalā (elevation 10,023ft 3055m) is 11 miles further and about an additional 30-minute drive, beyond the entrance station. To Headquarters Visitor Center: The Headquarters visitor center will be the first building on the right hand side of the road past the entrance station. Here you can use flush toilets and fill up on water prior to starting your hike. To Halemauʻu Trailhead: From the Headquarters visitor center, continue up 3 switchbacks to the first pull-off on the left hand side marked "Halemauʻu Trailhead". You may choose to begin your hike at this trailhead (3.7 mi (6 km) one way to Hōlua; 10.4 mi (17km) one way to Palikū). To Keoneheʻeheʻe (sliding sands) Trailhead: From the Headquarters visitor center, drive 11 miles up several switchbacks (about a 30 minute drive) to the Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot. Once you enter the lot, the trailhead is on the right hand side. You may choose to being your hike at this trailhead (7.4 mi (12 km) one way to Hōlua; 9.3 mi (15km) one way to Palikū).
Po Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768808-572-4487
BackpackingBirdingCampingHikingStar GazingWildernessWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-10119505 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-10119505 · Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit) · Makawao HI12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)?
Reservations for Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit) are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 1,619 of 1,830 tracked site-nights are open (88.5%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 18 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 14:17 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)?
Campsite Sniper detected 11 site-date openings at Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit) in the last 7 days, 17 over 30 days and 18 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)?
96 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 18 at site Hōlua 1. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)?
December 2026, with 291 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 310.
When is the next open date at Haleakalā National Park (Wilderness Tent Permit)?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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