Haleakala National Park is a spectacular national park on Maui. Haleakala means the house of the sun and the views from the summit area is something you never forget. But where to stay near Haleakala National Park for the best experience?
The Upcountry Maui offers Haleakala lodging with the best summit access. But if you prefer a beach location, the best place to stay near Haleakala National Park is South Maui. In addition, other options for where to stay when visiting Haleakala National Park’s famous summit district are Central Maui and West Maui.
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Table of contents
- Upcountry Maui – Best for summit
- South Maui – Dreamy beaches
- Central Maui – Convenient base
- West Maui – Beaches further away
Upcountry Maui
Upcountry Maui is the option for where to stay near Haleakala National Park that offers the best park access. In the region uphill from the Maui shoreline you find remote but charming towns.
The last town in the rural Upcountry before you enter Haleakala National Park is Kula. There you find the Haleakala lodging closest to the park.
From Haleakala National Park hotels in Kula it’s just 15 miles (24 km) to Park Headquarters Visitor Center in the park. But have in mind that you need to drive winding park roads for another 10 miles (16 km) to get to the Summit Visitor Center.
Although the park access is very convenient from Kula the Haleakala National Park accommodation in the Upcountry is limited. You don’t find the great selection of Haleakala lodging in Kula that you find in South Maui. And of course you don’t find any Haleakala hotels on the beach in Upcountry Maui.
In short, Upcountry Maui is location wise the best place to stay near Haleakala National Park. But the Haleakala lodging in the Upcountry area is very limited. So for a bigger selection of Haleakala hotels you should look towards the other options for where to stay when visiting Haleakala National Park.
- Distance: 15 mi / 24 km
- Driving time: 30 min
- Pick Upcountry Maui for: Haleakala lodging with the best summit access.
South Maui
South Maui is an option for where to stay near Haleakala National Park that in contrast to the Upcountry has beautiful beaches. Most of all South Maui is famous for its pretty beaches and the towns Kihei and Wailea beautifully sit on the Maui coast.
From Haleakala accommodation in Kihei it’s 35 miles (56 km) to get to Park Headquarters Visitor Center in the park. And from there you have another 10 miles (16 km) of winding park roads before you arrive at the Summit Visitor Center.
The town Wailea is located further south and the drive from there is slightly longer. Still it’s not more than 41 miles (66 km) from lodging in Wailea to the Park Headquarters Visitor Center.
Consequently you with rather little effort can travel from Haleakala hotels in South Maui to the volcano park. And when you stay in South Maui for Haleakala you not only get decent park access but also a great beaches and comfort.
South Maui attracts visitors with some of the island’s very best beaches. In the area you also find more exclusive Haleakala hotels and resorts and the dining options you crave for. So in South Maui you have all you need for an enjoyable time on the island.
All in all, South Maui is a beautiful option for where to stay when visiting Haleakala National Park. South Maui offers great hotels on the beach and decent access to Haleakala. The area is further away from Haleakala than Upcountry Maui but South Maui delivers the whole aloha package for a great island stay.
- Distance: 35-41 mi / 56-66 km
- Driving time: ≈ 60-75 min
- Pick South Maui for: The best hotels near Haleakala on the beach.
Favorite location. South Maui is the apparent option for where to stay near Haleakala National Park on the beach. In South Maui you find both pristine beaches and reasonable access to the majestic national park.
Recommended hotels in South Maui
Grand Wailea Resort
At Grand Wailea Maui Resort you stay at a luxury oceanfront resort when visiting Haleakala National Park. The paradise resort sits on the charming Wailea Beach. And for maximum comfort the resort also offers great amenities including a stunning pool area.
Days Inn by Wyndham
Days Inn offers a less exclusive but yet popular place to stay on Keawakapu Beach. It’s a more simple place to stay but the oceanfront location is extremely convenient. From Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront you’re just steps away from the relaxing beach.
Central Maui
Most island visitors arrive by plane at the island’s major airport in Kahului on the Central Maui shore. It’s an option for where to stay near Halekala National Park that gives you a convenient island base.
From Haleakala lodging in Kahului it’s 29 miles (47 km) to Park Headquarters Visitor Center in the park. But once again it from there remains another 10 miles (16 km) of winding park roads to get to the summit.
Central Maui offers good access to not only Haleakala National Park but also other areas on the island. From Kahului you easily reach Maui’s more remote North Shore area and the scenic road to Hana.
Still Central Maui is not where most visitors go to have a postcard Maui vacation on the beach. For that South Maui or West Maui are the popular choices. Central Maui is rather Maui’s commercial center and Kahului is often referred to as the only real city in Maui.
To sum up, Central Maui is the option for where to stay near Haleakala National Park that offers the best overall island access. But the lodging near Haleakala in Upcountry Maui offers better access to the summit area than Central Maui. And if the beach is a priority you should rather look towards South Maui or West Maui.
- Distance: 29 mi / 47 km
- Driving time: ≈ 45 min
- Pick Central Maui for: Central Haleakala hotels.
West Maui
West Maui is just like South Maui an option for where to stay when visiting Haleakala that is famous for its great beaches. But West Maui is the Haleakala lodging alternative that is located furthest away.
From the town Lahaina it’s 49 miles (79 km) to Haleakala’s Park Headquarters Visitor Center. Kapalua further north on the coast is 59 miles (95 km) away from the same visitor center.
But there’s no doubt about that West Maui is a great place for relaxing aloha time on the beach. Just like in South Maui you find the whole package with great beaches, hotels and restaurants in West Maui.
In conclusion, West Maui isn’t the best option for where to stay when visiting Haleakala National Park. It’s more convenient with Haleakala places to stay closer to the park. But West Maui is still a great alternative if you want a beach vacation and don’t mind the longer drive to Haleakala.
- Distance: 49-59 mi / 79-95 km
- Driving time: ≈ 75-105 min
- Pick West Maui for: Another stunning beach option.
Where to stay near Haleakala National Park FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay near Haleakala National Park, Hawaii.
The Upcountry town Kula is the place to stay nearest Haleakala National Park. But you find the best places to stay near Haleakala on the beach in South Maui. In South Maui you find a much bigger selection of Haleakala hotels than in the Upcountry.
Kula in Upcountry Maui is the town closest to Haleakala National Park. From Kula it’s 15 miles (24 km) to Park Headquarters Visitor Center in the park and another 10 miles (16 km) to the Summit Visitor Center.
As the summit area in Haleakala National Park is rather compact it’s possible to visit Haleakala’s summit in just a few hours. But optimally you spend at least half a day to a full day at the summit in Haleakala to also have time for some hiking.
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