Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top among Maui's state parks is ʻIao Valley State Park, whose towering emerald pin-
nacle rises picture-perfect from the valley floor. For the ultimate stretch of unspoiled
beach, head to Makena State Park. On the east side of Maui, Waiʻanapanapa State Park
sits on a sparkling black-sand beach.
Maui's county parks center on beaches and include the windsurfing meccas of Kanaha
Beach Park and Hoʻokipa Beach Park. Details about county parks and beaches, including
contact information and lifeguard availability, can be found on the Maui County govern-
ment website:
www.mauicounty.gov
.
Camping
On Maui there's a clear pecking order in camping. At the top, offering the best and safest
options, are the campgrounds at Haleakalā National Park. After that, the state parks -
most notably Waiʻanapanapa State Park - are a better option than the county parks.
MAUI'S TOP OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY
DESTINATION
Haleakalā National Park (
Click here
)
; Waiheʻe Ridge Trail (
Click here
)
;
Kapalua Resort (
Click here
)
Hiking
Horseback
Riding
Pony Express (
Click here
)
; Maui Stables (
Click here
); Piiholo Ranch
(
Click here
); Mendes Ranch (
Click here
)
; Thompson Ranch (
Click here
)
Makena (
Click here
); Honolua-Mokuleʻia Bay Marine Life Conservation
District (
Click here
)
Kayaking
Kitesurfing Kite Beach (Kanaha Beach Park,
Click here
)
Scuba Div-
ing
Molokini Crater (
Click here
)
; Makena Landing (
Click here
)
Molokini Crater (
Click here
)
; Maluʻaka Beach (
Click here
)
; Ulua Beach
(
Click here
); ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu Natural Area Reserve (
Click here
); Puʻu Kekaʻa
(Black Rock) (
Click here
)
Snorkeling
Lahaina (
Click here
); Maʻalaea Pipeline (
Click here
)
; Honolua Bay (
Click
here
)
Surfing
Windsurfing Kanaha Beach (
Click here
)
; Hoʻokipa Beach (
Click here
)
Ziplining
Piiholo Ranch Zipline (
Click here
); Skyline Eco-Adventures (
Click here
)
National Parks
Haleakalā National Park has excellent drive-up camping at the summit
area and in the seaside Kipahulu section. No fees, reservations or permits are required
for drive-up camping. Halea-akalā also offers free backcountry camping on the crater floor