Haleakalā in May: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 61/100 · #4 of 12 months
May is peak season — the 3rd-busiest month of the year, at Haleakalā National Park: crowds run 97% of the July peak (79,332 average visits). Weather: highs average 63°F and lows 46°F, with 2.4″ of precipitation and 13.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Haleakalā in May
- Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.4″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
- Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.
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Haleakalā in May: what the park service says
May falls outside the stretch the park calls its summit rainy season, yet Hosmer Grove, the drive-up campground just past the entrance at nearly 7,000 feet, sits in the cloud belt, and campers there are told to come ready for rain and cold. Its six sites are $20 a night, sleeping six people and two tents at most, with potable water, grills and pit toilets. A night at Hosmer Grove includes a sunrise reservation for the next morning, so no separate booking is needed. Entry is $30 per private vehicle, good for three days in both the summit and coastal districts; people on foot or bike pay $15, and anyone under 16 needs no pass.
Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, NPS 3, checked 2026-11-08.
Crowds in May
Haleakalā averages 79,332 recreation visits in May — 97% of what July, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Days are pleasant (highs average 63°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 46°F). Average precipitation is 2.4″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 13.1 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station HALEAKALA RS 338, HI US (7 mi from park coordinates, 6,962 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of May.
What to pack for Haleakalā in May
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Packable rain jacket — 2.4″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Haleakalā are April and August.
Also at their best in May
Other parks whose computed May verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Lake Clark in May — 7% of peak crowds, highs 59°F, score 96/100
- North Cascades in May — 11% of peak crowds, highs 69°F, score 96/100
- Katmai in May — 1% of peak crowds, highs 52°F, score 95/100
- Gates of the Arctic in May — 12% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 94/100
Common questions
Is Haleakalā crowded in May?
Yes — May runs 97% of Haleakalā's peak, averaging 79,332 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Haleakalā.
What is the weather like in Haleakalā in May?
Average highs of 63°F, lows of 46°F, 2.4″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, HALEAKALA RS 338, HI US station). Compare it with other national parks in May.
What should I pack for Haleakalā in May?
Packable rain jacket; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in June instead? Haleakalā in June has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in May · Last verified 2026-09-24