Haleakala Crater

One of the most beautiful places on earth to watch the sun rise, the summit of Haleakala Crater is over 10,000 feet above sea level (making it a very chilly spot, so bring some warm clothing) and overlooks beautiful volcanic Haleakala National Park. According to Hawaiian legend, the summit was home to the grandmother of the god Māui, and together they captured the sun in order to slow down its journey across the sky. And with sunrises so beautiful, we can see why Māui  and his grandma want to make the moment last. The crater itself isn’t volcanic (i.e., it’s not a caldera), but, rather, it formed when two erosional valleys merged at the summit.