Things to Do
Waimea Canyon: The Grand Canyon of the Pacific
What Waimea Canyon on Kauaʻi is, the best lookouts and hikes, entry details, and how to plan your visit to this dramatic red-walled canyon.
Waimea Canyon is a large canyon on the west side of Kauaʻi, about 10 miles long and roughly 3,000 feet deep, with walls that glow in reds, oranges, and greens. It is sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The name Waimea means "reddish water," which you can read about in Hawaiian place names.
What Waimea Canyon is
The canyon was shaped by erosion and the collapse of part of the island's ancient volcano, then colored by iron-rich soil. Combined with frequent rainbows and passing clouds, the views change through the day. It pairs naturally with a visit to the nearby Nā Pali Coast overlooks.
Lookouts and hikes
Several roadside lookouts give the classic canyon views with little effort. For more, continue to Kōkeʻe State Park, where trails lead to ridgelines and the Kalalau Lookout over the Nā Pali cliffs. Hikes range from short walks to full-day treks, so match the trail to your fitness and the weather.
Planning your visit
Go in the morning for clearer views before clouds build. Bring layers, since it is cooler and often wetter at elevation, and fill your tank before the drive up. Out-of-state visitors pay park and parking fees; check the Hawaii State Parks site at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp. See the Kauaʻi guide to build your itinerary.
Kauaʻi tours and activities
Guided Kauaʻi tours that can include Waimea Canyon and the west side, many with free cancellation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Waimea Canyon?
How do you get to Waimea Canyon?
Is there an entry fee?
We research each guide against primary sources: the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Mālama Hawaii, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii and its Division of State Parks, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Census. For culture, language, and history we lean on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop Museum, and the scholarship of Mary Kawena Pukui. We send readers to those sources rather than speaking over them. When rules, prices, or conditions change, we update the page.