The reservation, in one paragraph
Every vehicle entering the Summit District between 3 and 7 a.m. needs a sunrise reservation from Recreation.gov. It costs $1, is non-refundable, and covers the vehicle rather than each person. Tickets open 60 days ahead and a second batch releases 2 days ahead, both at 7 a.m. Hawaiʻi time, and each customer can book one reservation every three days.
The $1 is not the entrance fee. You still pay the park entrance fee at the gate, $15 to $30 depending on how you arrive, by card only, per the National Park Service. It is valid for three days, so it also covers the Kīpahulu side near Hāna.
Book it like this
- Create a Recreation.gov account before release day.
- Be logged in a few minutes before 7 a.m. HST, 60 days before your date.
- Missed it? Try again at 7 a.m. HST two days before.
- Bring ID that matches the reservation holder.
Prefer not to drive in the dark?
A permitted sunrise tour handles the drive and the entry for you. Confirm with the operator that sunrise entry is included before you book.
Sunrise tours on Viator Compare on GetYourGuide
Our nurse editor's notes
- The summit is above 10,000 feet and often near freezing before dawn. Bring real layers, a hat and gloves.
- Altitude affects people with heart or lung conditions, and those who are pregnant. Ask your clinician before the trip if that applies to you.
- Do not scuba dive within 24 hours before driving to the summit.
Check before you leave
Closures and road work are posted on the park's alerts and conditions page.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend or the order we list things. How we make money.
Sources
Last checked November 5, 2026. Reviewed by our nurse editor for safety notes.