Flash flooding is the standout risk at Haleakalā, with 4 recorded flood events shaping the park's hazard profile. Maui County's volcanic terrain channels heavy rainfall into narrow gulches and crater trails with startling speed, leaving little warning time for campers caught in low-lying areas.
Before you set up camp, check the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast specifically for windward versus leeward Maui conditions, since the summit and lower slopes can experience dramatically different rainfall. Pack waterproof dry bags for sleeping gear and electronics, and choose tent sites on elevated ground away from gullies or stream channels — even ones that look dry. If skies darken rapidly during your hike, move upslope immediately rather than waiting out the rain at trail level.
Top recorded hazards in Maui County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Flood 4
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About Haleakalā National Park
This special place vibrates with stories of ancient and modern Hawaiian culture and protects the bond between the land and its people. The park also cares for endangered species, some of which exist nowhere else. Come visit this special place - renew your spirit amid stark volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rain forest with an unforgettable hike through the backcountry.
Weather
On any given day, the temperatures in the park can range from a high of 80°F (27°C) in Kīpahulu to a low of 30°F (-1°C) at the summit. In either area clouds and rain can quickly replace warm sunshine. Weather in the high-elevation summit and wilderness areas of the park is highly unpredictable and changes often. Cool temperatures, intense solar radiation, and rapidly moving clouds are characteristic. On average, the temperature drops about 3°F for every 1,000 foot rise in elevation.