Haleakalā in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 55/100 · #10 of 12 months

November is peak season — the 10th-busiest month of the year, at Haleakalā National Park: crowds run 82% of the July peak (67,163 average visits). Weather: highs average 63°F and lows 47°F, with 4.6″ of precipitation and 11.2 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Planning Haleakalā? Pack the trail map: Haleakala Trails Illustrated map on Amazon. · affiliate link, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases

Haleakalā in November: what the park service says

November opens the summit's rainy season, which lasts through March, so plan for wet, windy mornings and look at the crater webcam before setting out. Holiday travelers should know that early-January sunrise slots start going on sale this month, because Recreation.gov releases them 60 days ahead at 7:00 AM Hawaiʻi time. The sunrise booking only covers the 3-7 AM entry window; you still need a park pass, and the person who made the reservation must show ID and the confirmation email at the gate. Sleeping in a car anywhere outside a campground is prohibited, so settle where you will spend the night before a pre-dawn drive.

Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, NPS 3, checked 2026-11-08.

Crowds in November

Haleakalā averages 67,163 recreation visits in November — 82% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. 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 47°F). This is one of the wetter months (4.6″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 11.2 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 November.

What to pack for Haleakalā in November

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Rain shell + pack cover — 4.6″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 4.6″ of precipitation is normal this month

As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches or to a specific product — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.

Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Haleakalā are April and August.

Also at their best in November

Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
• Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
• New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
• Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24