Hosmer Grove Campground

About

Hosmer Grove Campground is a small, intimate campground located just past the Summit District entrance station of Haleakalā National Park on Maui. Situated at approximately 7,000 feet elevation in the park's cloud belt, the campground offers a dramatically different experience from Hawaii's coastal areas, with temperatures ranging from 50-65°F during the day and dropping near freezing on winter nights. The six tent-only sites are spread across a sloping, grassy field surrounded by a forest planted in the early 1900s as a forestry experiment. The campground features vault toilets, potable water at spigots throughout the camping area, and each site comes equipped with a picnic table and charcoal grill. A self-guided nature trail loops through the surrounding forest, which is one of the best locations in Hawaii for observing native forest birds including the ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and ʻiʻiwi. Early morning is the prime time for birding when the forest comes alive with song. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov and cost $20 per night, with a maximum stay of three consecutive nights. Note that overnight stays are limited to three nights total across all Haleakalā park areas within any 30-day period. The campground is an excellent base for experiencing sunrise at the summit, located just a short drive up Crater Road, though campers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather including rain, mist, and cold temperatures at any time of year.

Directions

From Kahului Airport, take Haleakala Highway (Route 37) to Route 377, then to Crater Road (Route 378). Allow at least 1 hour 45 minutes for the 28-mile drive. Seven hundred feet past the Summit District entrance station, turn left at the four-way intersection following signs for Hosmer Grove. Continue 0.5 mile to the campground parking lot.