A beautiful location, but not for the faint of heart. The trail to get here, from just below the summit of Haleakala, is 10 miles each way. Terrain varies throughout the hike, from sand, to volcanic rock and into tall grass before you make it to the campsites. Weather at the campsite is as varied as the terrain you strode through. At times it can be sunny and beautiful, while others can be rainy and pummeling winds.

Water is in need of being filtered, so don’t forget your tablets or water filter system. There’s one pit toilet behind the cabin and that’s about it for amenities. You bring with you all that you need to survive for your duration in the crater.

All that being said, I can’t think of a more special place to camp and convene with nature. When people think of Maui/Hawaii, they usually think a tropical paradise and Haleakala has quite a different say in that. It’s humbling in its size and scope, cathartic in its silence and awe inspiring for its visual displays. You feel as if you’re on a different planet at times and you might as well be… you’re camping at the outlet of a volcano, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Not too many places you can say you’ve done that.

One final thought: your trip back out is a DOOZY. Elevations range from 7 to 10 thousand feet and if your lungs aren’t acclimated, it can really suck the breath out of you. Don’t attempt the trek back without ample water and remember that your body is worth listening to. Take as many breaks as you need, it’s not as if the views are bad at any point.

The campground at Troublesome Creek is an absolute gem. Located about two hours from any significant population base, accessible off of a (mostly) dirt forest service road, you’ll marvel at the serenity of this idyllic campground. There are two sides to this campground, an east and a west loop. My spot was on the east loop, space 15 and I’d definitely recommend the spaces on the east loop, as they give you ample privacy with equally ample access to the creek and the North Fork of the Skykomish River. No power hookups means you can set the devices aside and worry little about what’s happening in the city. Out here, the entertainment is happening in nature. Views of surrounding peaks, the rush of the water as it flows past and as night falls, the dotting of stars in the inky black sky will give you exactly what you need before heading back to civilization. Nature truly is the best. I’ll be back to this campground again, no doubt.

The campground at Troublesome Creek is an absolute gem. Located about two hours from any significant population base, accessible off of a (mostly) dirt forest service road, you’ll marvel at the serenity of this idyllic campground. There are two sides to this campground, an east and a west loop. My spot was on the east loop, space 15 and I’d definitely recommend the spaces on the east loop, as they give you ample privacy with equally ample access to the creek and the North Fork of the Skykomish River. No power hookups means you can set the devices aside and worry little about what’s happening in the city. Out here, the entertainment is happening in nature. Views of surrounding peaks, the rush of the water as it flows past and as night falls, the dotting of stars in the inky black sky will give you exactly what you need before heading back to civilization. Nature truly is the best. I’ll be back to this campground again, no doubt.