Haleakala National Park - Wilderness Cabins (U.S. National Park Service)

Three wilderness cabins are maintained by the National Park Service for visitor use by advanced reservation. The wilderness cabins are accessible only by trail. To reach the cabins, you must hike a minimum of 3.7 miles (5.9km) to Holua, 5.5 miles (8.9km) to Kapalaoa, and 9.3 miles (15km) to Paliku.

Wilderness Cabin Rules & Regulations

The cabin permit is NON-TRANSFERRABLE. The Permittee must be present on the entire trip and is legally responsible for the actions and safety of their group.

Each person is limited to a maximum of 3 nights per 30-day period in wilderness area campsites and cabins, with no more than 2 nights at any one site.
Maximum group size in the wilderness is 12 persons. Groups and/or organizations with more than 12 may not split into smaller groups. Please call for assistance in planning your backcountry experience.
Groups may not reserve back-to-back reservations exceeding 3-nights.
An adult age 18 or older must accompany each group using a cabin.
Photo ID: Is required for anyone over 18 who is staying in a cabin.
Wilderness Orientation: Each person staying in a cabin is required to watch an 8-minute orientation at Park Headquarters Visitor Center. This can be done in advance if desired.
Holua, Kapalaoa, and Paliku cabins have pit toilets and water available near the cabin. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking.
Each cabin has a wood-burning stove with limited firewood, 2-burner propane stove, cooking utensils, dishes, and 12 padded bunks. In times of drought, cookware will be removed and you must pack in all your water.
There is no electricity in the cabins. Bring plenty of warm clothes and sleeping bags.
Hiking off designated trails or taking shortcuts is prohibited. Off-trail hiking causes erosion and damages fragile life forms.
Bicycles and other wheeled transportation is not permitted. Horses and mules are permitted at Paliku and Holua.
Quiet hours are 8pm to 8am. Please respect the privacy of others camping around you.
SAFETY: It is the Permittes responsibility to ensure that the members of their group are appropriately equipped and properly prepared for hiking at altitude, in extreme weather conditions (heavy rain, high winds) and can hike/backpack up to 10 miles one way to the reserved cabin(s).

Requesting a Cabin:
Each cabin is rented to only one group per night. A flat fee per night per cabin is charged. You may obtain a cabin reservation up to 90 days in advance online, or in person.

You may make an online reservation 24-hours a day by going to the following website: https://fhnp.org/wcr The wilderness cabins are operated by the National Park Service, though the website reservation system is operated in partnership with the Friends of Haleakala National Park. You may pay by credit card or ACH Debit (electronic payment from your checking account).
If you are unable to make an online reservation, you may call by phone, call 808-572-4400 between 1:00 and 3:00 pm Hawaii Standard Time, Monday through Friday, and select the option for "operator". You may pay by credit card or mail in a check for payment. Checks must be received within 5 weekdays of the reservation otherwise the reservation is cancelled.
In person - reservations may be made at Park Headquarters Visitor Center during operating hours of 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Costs & Cancellations:
There is a flat fee per night per cabin which accomodates up to 12 people.

Early Reservations (> 3 weeks) $ 75.00 per night
A $10 service fee per reservation night is charged for any changes to the reservation. Cancellations made more than 3 weeks in advance of reservation date will be refunded less the $10 service fee per night. Changes to reservations within 3 weeks is not permitted and any cancellations are non-refunable.

Reservations (< 3 weeks) $ 60.00 per night
When reserved within 3 weeks of night of stay, the fee is non-refundable and the reservation cannot be changed.

Refunds
Partial refunds are provided to Permittees who cancel greater than 21 days in advance of their first reservation night. Refunds are NOT given to Permittees for weather unless the National Park Service has closed the park and/or wilderness area.

Holua Cabin, the closest cabin, lies at 6,940 feet (2,115 meters) in the shrubland near Koolau Gap, 3.7 miles down the Halemauu Trail or 7.4 miles down Keoneheehee Trail. Visitors staying at Holua can enjoy day hikes into the central Wilderness Area. The landscape around Holua supports a native shrubland which colonized the lava flows. There is also a campground at Holua.

Kapalaoa Cabin, 5.5 miles down the Keoneheehee or 7.3 miles from Halemauu Trailhead, lies at the base of the cliffs on the south side of the valley. The view from Kapalaoa takes in brightly colored cinder cones, subalpine plants, and dramatic cliffs. In the spring and summer months, the endangered uau (Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel) can occasionally be heard and seen near the high cliffs. This cabin lies at 7,250 feet (2,210 meters). There is no campsite near Kapalaoa cabin.

Paliku Cabin, at 6,380 feet (1,945 meters), is at the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. The cabin is reached via a strenuous 9.3-mile hike on Keoneheehee Trail, 10.1 miles on Halemauu Trail, or 8.6 miles up the Kaupo Trail. Clouds and fog often roll over the top of the cliffs behind Paliku. The extra moisture makes this spot exceptionally cool and lush. There is also a campground at Paliku.

Visiting the Haleakala Wilderness is a wonderful opportunity to see native Hawaiian wildlife. Nene (Hawaiian goose) are often seen near the cabins, please enjoy watching wildlife from a distance.