Haleakalā in September: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
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September is one of the best months of the year to visit Haleakalā National Park: crowds run 85% of the July peak (69,572 average visits). Weather: highs average 65°F and lows 48°F, with 2.5″ of precipitation and 12.3 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Haleakalā in September
- Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.5″ 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 September: what the park service says
September comes between the dry summer and the start of the summit's wet season in November. On the coast, Kīpahulu Campground books on a rolling 30-day window, so September nights only appear from August onward. It has 20 sites, five of them walk-in, at $20 a night, a short walk from ʻOheʻo Gulch, but no drinking water: fill up at the visitor center's water station or shop at one of the two general stores in Hāna, 10 miles away. Expect rain, harsh sun and mosquitoes. There is no beach access, entering the stream is prohibited, and leashed dogs may stay in the campground but not on trails.
Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, checked 2026-11-08.
Crowds in September
Haleakalā averages 69,572 recreation visits in September — 85% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Days are mild (highs average 65°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 48°F). Average precipitation is 2.5″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 12.3 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 September.
What to pack for Haleakalā in September
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Packable rain jacket — 2.5″ 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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Also at their best in September
Other parks whose computed September verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Wrangell–St. Elias in September — 25% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 84/100
- Guadalupe Mountains in September — 35% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 81/100
- Gateway Arch in September — 29% of peak crowds, highs 81°F, score 80/100
- Isle Royale in September — 39% of peak crowds, highs 65°F, score 79/100
Common questions
Is Haleakalā crowded in September?
Yes — September runs 85% of Haleakalā's peak, averaging 69,572 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Haleakalā.
What is the weather like in Haleakalā in September?
Average highs of 65°F, lows of 48°F, 2.5″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, HALEAKALA RS 338, HI US station). Compare it with other national parks in September.
What should I pack for Haleakalā in September?
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 October instead? Haleakalā in October has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in September · Last verified 2026-09-24