Tucked at nearly 7,000 feet on the slopes of Haleakalā, Hosmer Grove is the only drive-in campground in the park’s Summit District. Six tent sites sit in a grassy clearing, surrounded by forest planted over a century ago by Ralph S. Hosmer, Hawaii’s first Superintendent of Forestry. This is where families come for an easy nature walk, and where couples come for a night sky most of Maui never sees.
Campsite Cost & Entrance Fees
A night at Hosmer Grove runs $20. Every vehicle entering the park also needs an entrance pass, good for three days across both the Summit and Kīpahulu districts:
- Private vehicle: $30
- Motorcycle: $25
- Individual (on foot or bicycle): $15
- Kids 15 and under: free
- Haleakalā annual pass: $55, unlimited access for a year
- Tri-Park annual pass: $55, covers Haleakalā, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
If you own a valid National Park pass, show it at the entrance in lieu of the $30 fee. The park is cashless so bring a card.
Check-in is 2 PM. Check-out is 11 AM.
Reservations & Cancellations
Book through recreation.gov. Reservations are required, no walk-ins. Minimum stay is 1 night. You can book up to 4 reservations in one transaction.
Bring a printed copy of your confirmation email. The reservation holder must have it on site.
Changing your reservation:
- Adding or removing nights, or switching to a different site, has no extra fee.
- Switching to completely different dates costs $10 per site.
Canceling:
- Cancel before your arrival date and get a refund minus a $10 cancellation fee (plus any reservation or change fees already paid).
- Cancel within 1 day of arrival and you also forfeit your first night’s $20 fee.
- Camping fees are not refundable so plan your dates carefully.
What to Expect on Site
Each of the 6 sites has a picnic table, a grill, and access to potable water. Fires are only permitted in the designated barbeque grills. Bring your own charcoal, wood collecting is not allowed and there are no ground fires. Gas or contained camp stoves are fine.
- Parking: One vehicle per site in designated spaces, plus one additional vehicle allowed in overflow parking.
- Trailers and pop-up campers: Not allowed at the campsites themselves, but pop-up campers may park in designated overflow parking spaces with a reservation and still get use of the campsite’s picnic table and grill.
- Pets: Not permitted in or around campsite facilities.
- Hammocks: Allowed on trees over 10 inches in diameter, with adequate padding, within the footprint of your campsite, and a max of two attachments per tree.
- Slacklines: Allowed under the same conditions as hammocks, as long as they don’t create a safety hazard.
- Vault toilets near the parking lot (open year-round).
- Cell reception works year-round.
- No internet or wifi on site.
- No showers or electrical hookups.
- No camp store, ice, or firewood for sale so come fully stocked.
- Quiet hours: 10 PM to 8 AM.
Weather & What to Pack
This is a cloud forest at nearly 7,000 feet. Pack for real mountain weather, not beach weather.
- Daytime highs: 50 – 65°F
- Nighttime lows: near freezing in winter.
- Rain: possible any time of year.
Bring a real sleeping bag, warm layers, a rain fly you trust, and sun protection, the elevation makes UV stronger than it looks. Summer (June to September) tends to run warmer and drier, but check the forecast before you go.
Activities for Families and Couples
For families: The self-guided nature trail starts and ends right at the campground. Native birds fill the forest at dawn, making this one of the better birdwatching spots on Maui. The Junior Ranger program at the visitor center is a short drive up the road.
For couples: Nearly 7,000 feet of elevation and clear mountain air make Hosmer Grove one of the best stargazing spots in Hawaii. And the summit itself is just a short drive away — you’re already closer to sunrise than anyone else on the island.
For a longer hike, the park has over 30 miles of trail dropping into the crater. The terrain runs sandy, so plan for roughly twice as much time hiking out as hiking in. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen — there’s no shade or water on the crater floor.
The park has two visitor centers. The first is a short drive up the summit road, with ranger talks, exhibits, and flush toilets. The second sits at the rim of the volcano. Both have rangers on site and additional hiking information.
Other activities in and around the campground include scenic drives along the summit road, wildlife viewing, and access to historic and cultural sites within the park.
Sunrise at the Summit
Sunrise here is the reason most people make this drive, and camping here is the best way to experience it. Book a Hosmer Grove campsite and your sunrise viewing reservation for the following morning comes with it. No extra booking needed.
Not camping but still want sunrise? You’ll need a separate $1 reservation through Recreation.gov to enter the Summit District between 3 AM and 7 AM. Passes release 60 days out and again 2 days out, both at 7 AM HST, and they go fast.
Accessibility
The pit toilet restrooms near the parking lot are accessible. The picnic area is accessible. There are no designated accessible campsites — the sites sit across a sloped, grassy field directly across from the parking lot. One narrow paved path leads to the first campsite only. Accessible parking is available in the paved lot. No RVs or trailers are allowed. NPS classifies Hosmer Grove as a limited development campground.
Hosmer Grove Campground Map
Hosmer Grove Campground is located just beyond the entrance gate to Haleakalā National Park.
From the Summit District Entrance Station, drive 700 feet and turn left at the four-way intersection following signs for Hosmer Grove. Follow the road for half a mile to the campground parking lot.
Stock up before the drive. Grocery stores and gas are in Pukalani or Makawao, about 45 minutes back down the mountain.
Contact & Good to Know
Haleakalā National Park
Phone: (808) 572-4400
Mailing address: PO Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768
Clean your gear, boots, and vehicle before and after your visit, Haleakalā’s ecosystem is fragile and invasive species are a real threat here.
Overnight stays outside a designated campground, including sleeping in a vehicle, are not allowed anywhere in Haleakalā National Park.
Fee-free entrance days do not cover sunrise reservations — you still need the $1 sunrise pass even on free-entry days.
Note on cancellation fees: the NPS page states a flat $20 fee for no-shows or cancellations. Recreation.gov‘s booking policy breaks this down as a $10 cancellation fee, with an additional first-night forfeiture for late cancellations. Verify current policy at recreation.gov before booking.
Final Thoughts
Hosmer Grove is one of the most unique camping experiences in Hawaii. You’re not on a beach, you’re not in a jungle. You’re above the clouds on the slopes of a volcano, waking up to native birds and one of the best sunrises in the world. For a $20/night tent site, it’s hard to beat.
The one thing most first-timers underestimate: the drive up. Hosmer Grove sits at nearly 7,000 feet. If you’re planning to explore multiple parts of Maui alongside your stay here, having a campervan or a well-packed rental means you can bring everything you need: warm layers, real gear, and food for the whole stay. No scrambling at the last minute. Plus, you get the flexibility to keep exploring the rest of the island after you pack up.
Since Hosmer Grove is tent-only and doesn’t allow vehicle sleeping, your campervan stays parked at your site while you enjoy the tent experience. Then you’re free to continue your island loop. Base camp in Kihei, drive up for your Hosmer Grove nights, then keep rolling.
Maui Vans
If you’re considering a campervan for your trip, book with us and save 10% on every rental. Choose your campervan below then grab your discount code on our Outdoorsy discount page and enter it at checkout to confirm it.
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