Haleakala National ParkKAP
Campsite #KAP at Haleakala National Park Campground, Haleakala National Park, HI
$75
Campsite #KAP
| 12 people | |
| 0 | no signal |
5/23
6/2
Campsite #KAP Features: Back-In parking, Cabin Site
Campsite Reviews (25)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 56% |
| 4 star | | 32% |
| 3 star | | 12% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@LaurenK5041150 · Camped on Feb 26, 2025 at Campsite #KAP
This was a father and daughter trip and we couldnt have asked for a better time! The stars were quite literally out of this world and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city was exactly what we needed. The cabin was clean and well maintained. There was plenty of water and propane, however there was no fire wood. The park rangers at the top advised us to expect none of these since the layoffs, the cabin hasnt been able to be restocked. We were fortunate enough to have at least the water and propane but if youre going in the near future I would pack accordingly. Thank you to the park rangers for all your help and guidance and to the kind ranger that is still sending the combination codes to get into the cabin! We truly appreciate you all.
@DavidW7736336 · Camped on Feb 10, 2025 at Campsite #KAP
Staying at Kapalaoa was an amazing experience. We hiked in and out on Sliding Sands and, honestly, we found the downhill hike more challenging than the reverse. Our hiking time was actually shorter returning to the rim, and we weren't exactly hustling. Don't misunderstandit's still a hard hike. we stayed 2 nights, which was perfect for us. we only hiked a short distance the middle day to keep us limber.The cabin was spacious for two of us. The equipment in the kitchen was helpful, especially the propane stove to boil water. I would recommend not just bringing the water to a boil, but letting it boil for a good long time. There were handy items of "trail magic" left behind by others (food, soap, spices) but you shouldn't count on that. Thanks to whoever left the popcorn before us!I realize belts are tightening at the Park Service, so not a criticism, but a few more logs for the woodstove would help get through the night, but we were fine with our cold weather sleeping bags.We were there on a nearly full moon. It felt like broad daylight outside. Still, there were plenty of stars to see. If one were there on a moonless night, I'll bet the starscape is spectacular.
@PhilP4576429 · Camped on Dec 9, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
Great experience from beginning to the end. Had quick responses to w mail questions and the hike into the crater was amazing. It was a physical climb out but worth every step.
@MatthewNE56BC0 · Camped on Sep 18, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
Great experience. Everything went very well and the cabin was supplied as expected. Thank you to all the staff for maintaining our historic cabins MAHALO
@EmilyM5280790 · Camped on Aug 18, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
It was amazing!!! Booking was quite difficult trying to purchase a permit during the 3 minute(-ish) time slot allowed 6 months before the camp date but once I got it - my husband and I were so excited!! We went in the middle of August during a full moon and NO ONE was in the cabin with us. It made me think of other nights we could have gotten our cabin permits. If you cannot go, please cancel your permit so others have a chance!! The cabin was clean and there were pots, pans, bowls, hot plates, fire wood, and an outhouse. Non potable running water helps too. The only animals we saw were the nene, some pheasants (?), flies, and small wasps. Not a rodent or reptile in sight. Coming in took about 4 hours on sliding sands (took lots of breaks). Hiking out on sliding sands requires took almost 5 hrs, mental fortitude, and lots of breaks. Start hiking out before the sun truly rises since it will be cooler then. We tried singing on our last 2 hours up - which was exhausting - but fun and helped past the time. Temp was 70s at most during the day and 50s at night (mid august). We told the park rangers that our car was in the lot and we would be hiking down and staying overnight. They wrote down our and the car information just in case. HONESTLY, BEST EXPERIENCE EVER.
@StephenG136341 · Camped on Apr 25, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
I have been going into the crater for many years and every time its a spectacular experience. The cabins make to nice alternative to tenting especially during some of the extreme wet cold and windy weather that is a common. I like rustic. I get it. Kapalaoa cabins needed a new stove. Check with the visitor center and make sure they have fixed it. They sent me a letter a week out saying that the propane stove needed to be replaced and that I should bring my own canister of isobutane fuel. I have my own stove if I knew the stove they left in there was a tiny little thing that anything larger than a coffee cup was hard to get balanced, impossible if twelve people were trying to prepare meals at the same time. The huge log splitter in which you must stack all the brick at the same time in order to get one split. Do split them all at the same time. The piston wont extend enough to only do one or two. The stuff is very hard to light and you must bring your own fire starter. . The above didnt necessarily take away from the wonderful splendor the the crater provides. I was disappointed that people are still not packing all their junk out. I they somehow justify leaving their empty soap bottles, half used food packets, lighters, dirty towels and rags, old water bottles and any other spent or broken something they dont want to pack out. I packed out more than I came in with. It is no trace camping people. Take your junk home when you leave.
@FrankS4577331 · Camped on Mar 30, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
This is my 13th time hiking the crater and staying in the cabins. Once again the weather was perfect, the views insane and the overall experience incredible. Two things this year that takes the rating from a 5 to a 4. I wasn't a fan of the change of the type and size of the stove and restricting the amount of wood in the cabins. The 5 brick (there are no longer logs) limit doesn't do much to keep the cabin warm throughout the night. I understand it's all about costs, but the price of the cabins hasn't changed in the 17 years that I've been using them. I don't think anyone would complain about an increase in costs to offset going back to enough wood to keep the cabin warm. Yes, you can carry additional wood in, but packs are already pretty full if you are doing a 3 night trip. A minor problem was that the inside faucet was not working in Holua cabin. There was water available in the outside faucet. I told the rangers when I got back to the summit and they said they were not aware of the problem, so it's quite possible it was a recent problem. Neither of these issues will prevent me from going again next year.
@YannLB680A5BF2 · Camped on Mar 26, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
Everything was excellent. Did not see the email for the combination lock to the cabin- luckily it was still in my deleted junk mail.
@EmiD75F456621F · Camped on Feb 19, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
Such a great experience- I think Holua Cabin was the best because you're sleeping above the clouds and can see rainbows, sunshine and showers all at the same time. We saw only one person while at Kapalaoa. It feels so remote and the silence was deafening (besides the nns!) A great place to do day hikes over towards Kaupo Gap. We had difficulty getting the provided bricks to light, but thankfully, there were directions with images and we brought our own homemade firestarter (egg grates with mulch & candlewax). Definitely bring your own kindling! It was also very helpful to have rainwater available at the cabins. We carried in 9 liters of water and still needed more for cooking. Don't do it if there's a drought! We also brought Clorox wipes for the mats and a little lantern to hang on the clothesline.
@JonA8326161 · Camped on Feb 6, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
Simple, clean accommodations in a beautiful location. Got a bit cold at night.
@LisaP2727528 · Camped on Jan 31, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
It was perfect weather and the cabin was great!
@DonaldS2271497 · Camped on Jan 30, 2024 at Campsite #KAP
A good location for an overnight stay in Haleakala. Hike in on Keonehe'ehe'e, then out via Halemau'u trail. Very peaceful and quiet. Cabin users have donated lots of cooking pots and pans, utensils, and cups and plates. The Park furnishes logs for burning in the wood stove. Someone needs to bring a plastic dustpan to make sweeping out the cabin easier.
@JeniferB61CE50 · Camped on Nov 21, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Ive stayed in all of the cabins, multiple times, over the past 15 years, mostly on horseback. Here are my tips for future hikers and campers: Bring lighters/matches and newsprint and light cardboard to get fire started. The Durologs provided in the cabin take awhile to really get burning. You will want warm fuzzy slippers to wear inside the cabin, especially at night. Bring scouring powder & scouring pads to scrub the pots and pans, cleanliness is subjective to the previous cabin occupants if you know what I mean. Bring tongs and a small hand broom and dustpan. Also bring salt & pepper, clothespins, and sarongs to hang in the windows as curtains. Bring fairy lights- miniature strings of lights battery operated- to hang around the cabin for ambiance & subtle lighting. The wood stoves are not big enough to bake food inside anymore. Used to be able to make pizzas or biscuits or cobbler or pies, not any more. If youre going to donate leftover food items, please label and date them. Campers with allergies and sensitivities thank you in advance. We hiked down Sliding Sands to the cabin (approx 3 hours), and we hiked out of the crater on switchbacks. (Approx 5 hours). Highly suggest bringing 2 vehicles if you do this; one vehicle parked at the summit parking lot and the other vehicle parked at the switchbacks trailhead parking lot. It was after sunset when we reached the parking lot and it was impossible to hitchhike up 6 miles to the summit parking lot. Dont take rocks and dont stack rocks. Repeat: Do Not Take Rocks. Highly advisable to bring your own cleaning supplies. And then take them with you, no one wants to use your dirty rags. This cabin was the dirtiest Ive ever seen. Previous campers hadnt wiped the counters down or swept the floor. We hiked out a huge bag of rubbish not ours. Have fun and enjoy!
@JonathanB16578 · Camped on Nov 15, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Great facilities but always good to come prepared with a full kit.
@TatjanaGD33378 · Camped on Nov 9, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
It was one of the most magical experiences ever!!
@DeborahL220263 · Camped on Nov 3, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Clear weather brought a spectacular night sky. Kapalaoa cabin has new flooring and roof, the outhouse has been relocated to a new "hole". So good to see efforts to improve these venerable and much used/loved cabins. Remember to bring fire starters and try to pack out not only your own stuff, but things left by others, e.g. old towels, sponges, empty packaging, candle stubs. Good for your trail karma.
@PatriciaA12078 · Camped on Aug 7, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Entered via Sliding Sands, stayed one night at Paliku and one night at Kapalaoa and exited via Halemau'u Trail. Paliku was lush and rainy and Kapalaoa had nene geese in the yard with unreal stars at night. Beautiful sunsets at each cabin.Both cabins were clean and in good shape. Paliku is rustic and the Kapalaoa flooring seems like it was recently updated. They each had pots/pans, plates, cups, utensils, a propane burner and compressed wood for the stove. You definitely need a fire starter or some way to light the wood. We brought a water filter.It was an amazing experience.
@KathrynB522687 · Camped on May 20, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Whoever left the cabin before we arrived, left it in tip top shape- All cleared out and swept up. I know this isn’t always the case so I really appreciated it. Kitchen was well stocked. No need to bring your own pots, pans, dishes. There was a note left from previous campers that the propane stove caught fire but we had no issues. You may want to bring your own as we did for our party of 7. Having extra was helpful. Like others, we feel the compressed wood is hard to light so we brought a duraflame to help us out. Mattress pads were in good shape. Latrine was recently tended to. In my opinion, the sunrises and sunsets were even better than at Paliku cabin since this cabin sits in a wide open space. Nene geese are very docile and there weren’t too many to cause any ruckus or disturbances. Friendly and cute creatures. It was an amazing weekend. We stayed one night. Came in through sliding sands and left via Halema au trail. Highly recommended going this route.
@DeborahB541180 · Camped on May 7, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Love Kapalaoa but there was no fuel for the burner.We had to improvise. I do note that there is a disclaimer in the reservations that there might not be fuel. However this was the first time it has happened to me in all the years I have had the privilege of staying in the cabins.The new kitchen dishes are an up grade. Also would like a more user friendly way to reserve the cabins in Haleakala for Maui residents.
@ScottH5553800 · Camped on Apr 5, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Kapaloao cabin was very nice. The new floor is great. Locks were missing from a number of wood lockers. The switch to brick like compressed wood is not good. There is no way to cut or break into pieces to start the fire. Fire stater is recommended on the website. I strongly agree. The pit toilet is almost full and attention to a new facility will be needed real soon to avoid individuals relieving themselves all over the cabin area.
Overall strongly recommended and I will be back again.
Overall strongly recommended and I will be back again.
@KeithB1296146 · Camped on Mar 14, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
Stayed at Kapalaoa Cabin March 14-16. Cabins were renovated during COVID. It was in nice shape and definetly worth the 2 year wait. There was propane for the stove , pots, pans and dishes. I actually got a fire going the first night! I think the compressed wood it doable if you un-compress it! It was nice to see there was kindling provided but you still good a steady flame to get is going as well. There are new nylon covered sleeping pads as well which were easy to wipe down. One negative was the front door of the cabin. It was really hard to close from the outside enough to engage the throw bolt. I can see people having a hard time securing it properly. Oh if you close it too much from the inside you will not be able to open it. Had to exit the back door to open the front from outside. Other than that it was a great experience!
@MaryB2951694 · Camped on Mar 1, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
The weather did not really allow for being outside once we made it to the cabin, wet, windy and cold. Cabin is super comfortable and has a new floor! Always good to see R&M done on these special cabins. A note regarding the out house, its looking quite full, maybe needs some attention to that. The front cabin door appears swollen and was very difficult to open, give it a hard push once unlocked and it took some time to shut it completely to secure the lock upon departing. Otherwise we will be back!
@CedricL7192077 · Camped on Feb 26, 2023 at Campsite #KAP
The cabin reservation system works. We were able to get 2 cabins for a total of 3 nights and four days. The weather was bad the day we hiked out. But you have to be ready for anything = 40+ mph winds and horizontal rain and the trail was ankle deep in water. We made it and will never forget the experience. Thank you!
@JennaC498 · Camped on Jan 12, 2022 at Campsite #KAP
Our stay in Kapalaoa cabin was fantastic. The cabin is basic but the scenery was incredible. We were fortunate to have had very good weather with warm dry days, even in mid-january. At night we were greeted by a very bright half moon and some stars. Even in the darkest hours of night, the skies were bright and it was easy to see outside. I was happy to find wood in the locker and find that the propane stove worked. We brought our own pans but there were a few left in the cabin that could be used too. While we were able to get the wood stove working and a fire burning brightly, it did not make the cabin very warm. We found it easiest to light the thin slices of the wood kindling on the propane stove instead of with matches, just to get them alight. We were prepared for the chill with sleeping bags rated between 30-45degrees but guests should be aware that the fire only takes the edge off the cold and as it will likely go out while you sleep, it will be chilly in the morning. We hiked in from sliding sands, which was relatively easy as its mostly downslope. After dropping our packs at the cabin, we took a short walk around the crater floor, and while the trail wasnt always the easiest to follow it was some of my favourite landscapes in the park. The second day, we hiked out the halemau'u trailhead which is extremely scenic and flat for the first half, but the second half up the switchbacks can be difficult, especially when carrying overnight packs. Well worth the trip though!
@DanielleS272 · Camped on Dec 14, 2021 at Campsite #KAP
Right now there are no mugs, plates, bowls, cups or other eating/cooking gear. Only a couple of pans. Prepare for this when planning your trip.
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