Waimea Canyon - Grand Canyon of Hawaii

Incredible Waimea Canyon on the Garden Isle of Kauai Hawaii, was nicknamed by Mark Twain as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

But many a tourist has taken the winding 10-mile trip to the Waimea Canyon Lookout and has said the canyon in Arizona should be renamed the “Waimea Canyon of North America.”

Unlike its more famous cousin, the Waimea Canyon’s vertical spires contain plants and trees of all shapes and sizes, giving it a more lush and lively air.

Waimea Canyon is about 10 miles long, a mile wide and over 3,600 feet deep. This mammoth chasm struts its rainbow of red, purple, green and blue as you ascend into a blanket of gauzy, white clouds.

A great opportunity to get into the canyon is between mile markers 8 and 9 in Waimea Canyon State Park. A small parking area marks the Kukui and Iliau Loop Trails. The loop is an easy 15-minute quarter-mile nature walk with identified dry land forest plants. It offers a great view looking up the canyon and has a covered picnic area.

Highway 552-Kokee Road is the most scenic drive in the state of Kauai . Combine visits to two of Kauai’s top attractions: Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park. Plan a long, half-day; mornings have better visibility.

Camping is available by permit.

Waimea Canyon
(808)274-3433

Kokee State Park
(808)274-3444

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