Among America’s nearly 400 national parks—all of which are free to visitors from April 21st through the 29th, in celebration of National Park Week—is one of Hawaii’s gems, Haleakala National Park. Located on Maui, the central feature of the park is Haleakala, one of the world’s largest dormant volcanic craters, measuring some 20 miles (30 km) in circumference. The crater’s name means “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian. The 47-square-mile (122-square-km) park also includes Kipahulu Valley, home to a biological reserve with a diverse collection of plants and animals, and the ‘Ohe‘o (“Seven Sacred”) pools, near the coast.
Cinder cones line the floor of Haleakala (“House of the Sun”) Crater, Maui, Hawaii. Credit: Paul Chesley—Stone/Getty Images
Haleakala Crater, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. Credit: Ray Atkeson/EB Inc.
‘Ohe‘o Gulch in Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii. Credit: S. Alden—PhotoLink/Getty Images