Campsites at Hosmer Grove Campground (2026 Guide)

Introduction

Hosmer Grove Campground is the only drive-up campground in Haleakalā National Park's Summit District, and it has just six tent-only sites. The reservation fee is $5 per night, but most visitors show up at the gate unaware they also need a $30 per vehicle entrance pass - and they often find the sites already booked. You'll want to plan ahead. This guide covers everything you need to know to secure a site and camp comfortably at 7,000 feet, including current conditions, weather realities, and what the park website doesn't always make obvious.

For a full overview of the park, check the complete visitor guide.

Location and Getting There

Hosmer Grove sits below the 7,000-foot level (2,134 meters) in Haleakalā's cloud belt. That elevation means three things: cooler temperatures, more rain than the summit, and genuine nighttime cold.

Driving directions

Once you pass the Summit District Entrance Station (about 700 feet in), turn left at the four-way intersection following signs for Hosmer Grove Campground. The road runs 0.5 mile to the campground. The whole drive from the entrance gate takes under five minutes.

The parking situation here is straightforward - each site has space for one vehicle. But the entrance station itself can back up, especially before sunset. The park warns visitors to expect long waits at the Summit Entrance Station before sunset, with capacity limits that may turn cars around. Early morning is your best bet for a smooth entry.

Address and hours

Hosmer Grove Campground is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Physical address: Haleakalā National Park, Kula, HI, 96790. The official website has current information: nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/drive-up-camping.htm.

Campground Facilities and Current Conditions

As of 2026, the campground provides picnic tables, barbecue grills, and pit toilets. The big issue right now: there is no water at Hosmer Grove Campground. A waterline break that occurred in September 2025 remains unrepaired as of this writing. Water is available 24 hours at Headquarters Visitor Center, one mile up the road. That means you need to bring enough drinking water for your entire stay, or plan to haul it from the spigot at Headquarters.

Pets are not permitted in or around campsite facilities. Rangers enforce this strictly.

Site details

All six sites are tent-only. No RVs, no pop-up campers, no rooftop tents - the parking spots are small and the terrain is uneven. Each site includes a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill grate. Sites are first-come, first-served within the reservation system (you book a specific date, not a specific site number; you claim your site upon arrival).

Most visitors underestimate how cold this campground gets. Nighttime temperatures drop to near freezing (0°C); daytime highs average 50-65°F (10-18°C). Combine that with the cloud belt's persistent drizzle, and you have a recipe for a miserable night if you show up with a summer sleeping bag.

Stay limits

Overnight stays are limited to three nights total for all park areas in a thirty-day period. That includes Hosmer Grove, the Kīpahulu campground, and any backcountry camping. Plan accordingly.

Booking and Fees

Two separate fees apply:

• Reservation Fee - Per Night: $5.00. This reserves one campsite for one night. You must book through Recreation.gov or the park's reservation system. Walk-ups are not allowed; the reservation is required.
• Entrance Fee - Per Vehicle: $30.00. This is a three-day entrance pass for the entire park. Your campsite reservation does not cover it. An automated entrance pass machine is available after hours if you arrive when the gate station is closed.

The combination catches many first-time campers off guard. You pay $5 for the site, then another $30 for the vehicle pass - total $35 for a one-night stay. The $5 reservation fee is among the cheapest in the national park system, but the entrance fee is unavoidable.

For comparison with other camping options at the park, see our guide to all campgrounds.

Alerts and What to Know Before You Go (2026)

The park has several active alerts that affect camping here.

Water shutdown

Already mentioned, but worth repeating: no water at Hosmer. Pack at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking. The restrooms are pit toilets - no flush, no sinks.

Summit Visitor Center closure

Haleakalā Visitor Center (elevation 9,740 ft) is closed from February 19 through the week of May 17, 2026, for a building improvement project. Sunrise operations continue as normal, and restrooms remain open. The Headquarters Visitor Center (elevation 7,000 ft, one mile past the campground turnoff) is open as an alternative.

Limited parking at summit

Beginning January 12, 2026, the Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot has limited space due to a water infrastructure project. Expect traffic delays. This project lasts several months. If your plan includes a sunrise visit, add extra time.

Wildlife on the road

Nēnē (Hawaiian geese) and ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrels) nest in the park and often land on roads, parking lots, and the access road leading up to the park. Drive at posted speed limits and stay alert. These birds are endangered and protected - do not approach them.

Sunset entry delays

Due to high traffic volume, cars may be temporarily turned around at the entrance gate when capacity is reached. Purchasing a pass online does not guarantee entry at sunset. To ensure timely access, arrive three hours before sunset. For campers, that means arriving well before the evening rush - aim for 2 PM or earlier.

Weather and What to Pack

Hosmer Grove's location in the cloud belt produces conditions that surprise almost everyone. You can expect overcast skies, fog, light rain, and wind at nearly any time of year. The sun occasionally breaks through, but the norm is damp and cool.

Pack extra water for this stretch - at least two gallons for a two-night stay if you're solo. A rain jacket with a hood is non-negotiable. A warm hat and gloves make a huge difference at night. A foam pad or insulated sleeping pad matters more here than at lower elevations because the ground stays cold.

The elevation gain is worth it for the access to the summit, but don't underestimate the weather. Rangers will tell you that hypothermia is a real risk even in summer if you show up underdressed.

Nearby Highlights

From Hosmer Grove, you're a short drive from the summit at 10,023 feet. The Headquarters Visitor Center is one mile up the road and offers exhibits, restrooms, and the water spigot. Short trails like the Hosmer Grove Nature Trail start right from the campground - it's a 0.5-mile loop through native forest where you can see ʻiʻiwi and ʻapapane.

The common mistake - and almost everyone makes it - is to treat the campground as just a place to sleep before sunrise. Allow time to explore the surrounding area. The Leleiwi Overlook and Kalahaku Overlook are both within a few miles and offer dramatic views into the crater.

Practical Takeaways

• Book early. With only six sites, weekends fill weeks in advance, especially during summer and holiday periods.
• Bring all your water. The tap is dry. Fill up at Headquarters on your way in.
• Pack for winter, even in July. Nighttime temps can hit freezing. A 20°F rated sleeping bag and a warm layers are standard gear.
• Leave the pets at home. No exceptions.
• Arrive before 2 PM to avoid sunset traffic. The entrance station gets backed up.
• Know your total cost: $5 reservation + $30 vehicle pass = $35 per night for a solo traveler or a couple in one car.
• Check the alerts page on the NPS website for updates on the waterline repair and visitor center construction before you go.

Final Thoughts

Hosmer Grove Campground is not the most convenient or comfortable place to camp in Hawaii. But it is the only drive-up option inside the park's Summit District, and it gives you direct access to Haleakalā without a long predawn drive from the coast. The small size keeps it quiet - you won't hear generators or amplified music. What you will hear is wind through the ʻōhiʻa trees and, if you're lucky, the call of a nēnē passing overhead.

The trade-off is preparation. Most complaints about this campground come from people who arrived with a beach sleeping bag, no rain gear, and an expired reservation. Don't be one of them. Bring the right gear, plan for cold and damp, and you'll have a campsite that few visitors to the park ever experience.