Haleakalā Crater, Maui: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Haleakalā Crater is a massive erosional depression at the summit of the Haleakalā shield volcano on Maui, measuring 11.2 kilometers long, 3.2 kilometers wide, and 800 meters deep. The summit, at 3,055 meters, sits above the cloud layer, and sunrise viewing from the visitor center requires advance reservations through the National Park Service. The crater floor contains cinder cones and the rare Haleakalā silversword, a plant that grows only on this volcano, takes up to 50 years to flower once, and then dies. Temperatures at the summit regularly drop below freezing before dawn. is just one of many options in Maui. Major attractions worth considering include Haleakalā National Park, Kaihalulu Beach (Red Sand Beach), and Molokini Crater.