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Haleakalā Sunrise: Two Release Windows and ID

Calculate Haleakalā's 60-day and 48-hour sunrise releases at 7am HST, then bring the named holder, matching ID, confirmation and a separate park pass.

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Roameo Editorial Team2 min read

At a glance

First release
60 days ahead at 7am HST
Second release
48 hours ahead at 7am HST
Reservation scope
One vehicle for entry from 3am to 7am
Reservation charge
US$1 per vehicle; park entrance is separate
At the gate
Named holder, matching photo ID and confirmation
Main locationNearby

Haleakalā Summit District — Haleakalā Summit District · Haleakalā Visitor Center

Haleakalā summit sunrise reservations have two release windows: 60 days ahead and 48 hours ahead, both at 7am HST. Try the 60-day window first. The 48-hour allocation is a second chance, not a reason to delay deliberately. The named reservation holder must arrive with matching identification.

Calculate the two release moments

Start with your Maui sunrise date. Subtract 60 calendar days for the first attempt and two calendar days for the second. Both release at 7am Hawaii Standard Time, as stated by the National Park Service sunrise page.

Sunrise date60-day release48-hour release
14 December 202615 October 2026 at 7am HST12 December 2026 at 7am HST

NIST's US time-zone table identifies HST as UTC−10 and notes that Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time. A 7am HST release is therefore 5pm UTC on the same date. For a concrete overseas example, that is 1am in Hong Kong on the following calendar day. Convert from HST for your own location rather than treating 7am as your local time.

Separate the reservation from park entry

What you needWhat it coversWhat it does not cover
Sunrise reservationOne vehicle entering from 3am to 7am on the reserved dateIt does not pay the park entrance fee or guarantee a particular parking lot.
Park pass or entrance paymentAdmission to Haleakalā National ParkIt does not replace the sunrise vehicle reservation during sunrise hours.
Holder ID and confirmationProves that the named holder is present with the valid bookingA booking in an absent person's name is not enough.

The official Recreation.gov facility page currently lists a US$1 non-refundable reservation fee per vehicle. The vehicle entrance fee is separate and can be paid online after reserving or by credit card on arrival; the park does not accept cash or cheque. Qualifying Interagency and Hawaiʻi Tri-Park passes are honoured with appropriate photo identification, but they do not discount the sunrise reservation.

Gate checklist and hard limits

  • The reservation is valid only for the date booked and for one vehicle entering from 3am to 7am.
  • The reservation holder must be present with the confirmation email and photo ID matching the name.
  • Bring a park pass or a way to buy one separately.
  • An individual may book only one vehicle reservation in a three-day period.
  • There are no first-come sunrise reservations at the park or entrance station; park staff cannot make one by phone or in person.
  • Reservations are non-refundable, and bad weather does not produce a refund or exchange.
  • A reservation does not guarantee space in a particular car park; staff may direct vehicles elsewhere.
  • Without a sunrise reservation, entry is available after 7am rather than during the controlled 3am–7am period.

Do not swap the named holder casually. The holder must attend and the photo ID must match the reservation confirmation. Before leaving accommodation, save the confirmation on the device and carry the matching ID plus the separate park pass or payment method.

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