Hosmer Grove Picnic Shelter

Hosmer Grove Picnic Shelter is a roofed pavilion and grassy lawn about half a mile beyond Haleakalā’s entrance station, at nearly 7,000 feet. It’s a handy place to eat or reset on the Summit District drive; the short Hosmer Grove Trail starts just behind it, so I’d add that walk if you’re already stopping. The pavilion has picnic tables, a grill, drinking water, and an accessible restroom, and the site is marked wheelchair accessible, though the route surface isn’t described. There’s no food service or nearby store, so bring your meal. The roof and tree canopy give you cover, but high-elevation weather can turn cool and wet.

The adjacent trail passes beneath eucalyptus and conifers planted over native alpine shrubland. Listen for ʻiʻiwi, ʻamakihi, and ʻapapane; these native forest birds are part of what makes this more than a place to eat. Early morning is the best-supported time to listen for bird activity, though sightings aren’t guaranteed.

Ralph S. Hosmer started the forestry experiment here in 1909, testing introduced trees for high-elevation timber, watershed protection, and erosion control. The grove was formally named for him in 1954; picnic and campground development followed in 1958, when the shelter site was cleared and its concrete slab laid. Look at the tall introduced canopy against the native alpine shrubs nearby, and the forest’s planned origin is easier to picture.