Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
Campgrounds in Hawaii
Photo: Jackie Frost/ NPS Photo / Public domain
Part of Haleakalā National Park
Near Hana, HI in Hawaii
What to Pack for Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.
The right gear turns potential problems into non-issues. Here's what Kīpahulu Campground demands.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Activities & Best Time to Visit Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
The Tropical terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Kīpahulu Campground draws visitors for camping, but the 7 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.
Photographers rate this area 35/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 1 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
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photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
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stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Tropical — Tropical terrain features lush vegetation, high humidity, and year-round warmth.
Nature & Wildlife at Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
The Tropical terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
30 bird species have been documented near Kīpahulu Campground, alongside 2 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.
Trees (2)
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thatch screwpine — Thatch screwpine has long strap-like leaves arranged spirally around the stem. -
African tulip tree — African tulip tree is a tropical ornamental with large glossy leaves.
Wildflowers (1)
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fragrant evening-primrose — Large pale yellow four-petaled flowers.
Other Plants (5)
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'Āhinahina
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Pūkiawe
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Kūpaoa
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'ohelo 'ai
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Māmane
Mammals (2)
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Small Indian Mongoose — A slender brown mammal with pointed snout and long tail. -
Domestic Cat — A small carnivorous mammal with wide variation in coat color and pattern.
Birds (30)
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Red-footed Booby — White morph with black wings -
Zebra Dove — Brown with barred neck pattern -
Orange-cheeked Waxbill — Small gray body -
Brown Booby — Brown upperparts -
Red-billed Leiothrix — Olive-green body
Reptiles (7)
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Green Sea Turtle — A large marine turtle with smooth olive-brown shell and paddle-like flippers. -
Gold Dust Day Gecko — A bright green gecko with blue and gold speckling on the back. -
Brown Anole — A small brown lizard with subtle darker patterning and a long tail. -
Jackson's Chameleon — A bright green lizard with independently moving eyes and grasping tail. -
Mourning Gecko — A small smooth-skinned gecko with mottled brown coloration.
Amphibians (1)
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Cane Toad
Insects (3)
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Monarch -
Western Honey Bee -
Gulf Fritillary
Other Wildlife (15)
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Hawaiian Garden Spider
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Thin-shelled Rock Crab
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African Giant Snail
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Shingle Urchin
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Indo-Pacific Rock-boring Urchin
Nature Bingo at Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park Trip Planning & Access
Planning your trip to Kīpahulu Campground — here's the practical information you'll need.
From San Jose, Kīpahulu Campground is a drive covering 2345 miles.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent (Has restrooms)
- Elderly: highly_suitable
- Strollers: excellent (100/100)
- Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Campground Details
Total sites: 9
Fee: $8/night
- Restrooms
Places Near Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
There's more to explore in this part of Hawaii.
Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond Kīpahulu Campground.
Nearby Trails
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.
Kīpahulu Campground sits under Bortle class 1 skies — Excellent dark-sky site for stargazing in Hawaii.
Constellations
From Kīpahulu Campground, you can trace Ursa Minor across the sky on clear nights.
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Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
Meteor Showers
Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (good)This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (good)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (good)Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.
Planets
Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:
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Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue
Equipment Guide
- Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
- Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
- Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune
Viewing Tips
- Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
- Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
- Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
- Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
- Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
- Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)
Best Viewing Months
- Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep
Seasonal Highlights at Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Kīpahulu Campground.
Kīpahulu Campground is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character and highlights.
Indigenous Land at Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park
This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.
The 1 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Nā moku ʻehā.
Territories
Languages
Indigenous languages connected to this territory include ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hoailona ʻŌlelo o Hawaiʻi (Hawai’i Sign Language).
Data from Native Land Digital
Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Kīpahulu Campground sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1780
- ESA Endangered
- 149
- ESA Threatened
- 2
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 132°F (2015-02-15)
- Record Low
- 43°F (1906-03-09)
Watershed
- Watershed
- Maalaea Bay-Pacific Ocean
Kīpahulu Campground, Haleakalā National Park Safety & Conditions
Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.
Check these official resources for current conditions at Kīpahulu Campground before you go.
Coordinates: 20.659705, -156.044492