Booking a sunrise ticket 60 days in advance

Question

Hi, I’m trying to book a sunrise ticket for when we are there in April. I’m led to believe we can book a ticket 60 days in advance? The ones after April 2nd are showing an A for available, but you cannot click on any to reserve. Am I missing something?

Answer

It sounds like you're trying to book a sunrise ticket for Haleakalā National Park, which is a fantastic experience! To clarify the booking process, here’s some detailed information to help you:

Sunrise Tickets for Haleakalā: Starting in 2023, the National Park Service has required visitors to reserve tickets in advance for sunrise visits to Haleakalā to help manage the number of visitors and protect the park’s natural resources. These tickets are available for booking 60 days in advance, and they go quickly, especially for popular times like the sunrise.

If you're trying to book for a visit in April, you are right that you can reserve tickets 60 days in advance, but there are a few things to note:

Availability and Reservations: When you see an "A" for availability after April 2nd but cannot click on it, this typically means that the reservation system hasn't been fully activated for those dates yet. Even though the system shows availability, it’s possible that those slots haven’t opened for booking yet. Double-check the date you’re trying to book, as sometimes the system releases tickets in batches, and the availability might not be finalized until closer to your booking window.
Booking Window: Make sure you're looking at the correct date. For example, if today is February 1st, you can book sunrise tickets for April 1st. So, if you're seeing "A" and can't select any dates beyond April 2nd, it could mean the 60-day window hasn’t yet opened for your selected date, or the system is still processing the next batch of available tickets.
Trying Again Later: If you're sure the tickets should be available and you're still having trouble, it’s worth trying again later. The booking system may occasionally have a brief delay in processing or opening specific dates for booking.

How to Secure Your Sunrise Ticket:

Check Regularly: If you’re planning your trip well in advance, keep checking the official website for Haleakalā National Park to confirm when the tickets are released for your specific dates. This will help you secure a spot as soon as the system is ready.
Early Booking: Given how quickly tickets can sell out, make sure you’re ready to book the tickets as soon as your 60-day window opens. It’s also a good idea to have a few alternative dates in mind in case your first choice is already booked.

Other Tips: Since sunrise at Haleakalā is a popular experience, consider planning to arrive at the park early (even before your scheduled time), as the roads can be a bit winding, and you’ll want to account for parking and walking to the viewing area. Also, remember that the summit is cold in the early mornings, so bring warm clothes and blankets for comfort while you wait for the sunrise!

Hopefully, this clears up some of the confusion. Enjoy your sunrise at Haleakalā, and good luck with your booking!

Booking a sunrise ticket 60 days in advance

More Haleakala National Park Travel Questions

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions