Waimea Canyon State Park Reviews

The Canyon Trail was a fun hike. It was somewhat challenging in parts, but only due to the footing. The views were worth it, even though the waterfall was underwhelming. It was well worth it.

The view was epic! Had never been to see anything like that before. The colours were amazing and the depth can’t be appreciated by photos. It’s a must.
Parking was $10 per car and $5 per person. Overall, you’ll spend 10 mins here, give or take.

They use the term “the Grand Canyon of Hawaii,” which is only partially accurate, as this canyon is way greener than the place in Arizona. Basically, you drive your car along the rim and stop at several pull-outs to get pics. There are a handful of “sanctioned” stops (where you pay for parking and number of entries…ticket is good at all official stops), and plenty of spots where folks have been pulling over for years and the trails can be seen from the road. You can identify the unofficial spots by groups of cars just randomly pulled over on the side of the road. Be warned, the unofficial spots have no safety rails, and the precipitous drops from the rim will kill you. Keep your kids/pets on a short leash (your MIL, not so much….I kid, I kid). The vistas are impressive, and you can see a couple of waterfalls in the distance. But I’ll be honest, after a few stops to take in the view, the rest of them are pretty much the same. So, you don’t need to stop at every view. The official pull-outs give you great photo ops, and maybe hit 1-2 unofficial spots (because the tour buses don’t stop there), and that should be plenty. Recommended

This is not to be missed! The views at the top can be cloudy but it’s known as one of the wettest spots on Earth so that comes with the territory. The viewpoints driving up so not disappoint so make sure to stop at each one.

Grand Canyon in mainland USA holds a very special place to me and I always wanted to see Kauai exactly because of the Waimea Canyon! If you liked the first, you will absolutely enjoy the latter as well - quite crazily they look somewhat similar which is hard to believe considering the locations...

Rather than doing individual reviews for all profiles I will try to leave here some info for this park and just leave separate stuff in the Koke'e State Park:

1. There are 2 ways to drive up or down - one is right "downtown" Waimea town and it's the route 550, and another one that is called Kokee Rd once you get to the town of Kekaha - we took the Kokee Rd up and the 550 down - it worked out great as the 550 is a much faster and steeper road so we were able to so the beautiful ocean while going down, the Kokee Rd has more turns and is less scenic I would say but easier as you don't need to slam the brakes all the time - you do pick up elevation on 550 much faster and thus drop on the way down - the 550 Route had also some cool stop here and there for vistas and the unique Red Dirt Waterfall and red dirt areas - you don't get to see that on the Kokee Rd at all

2. Waimea Canyon Lookout - this is your first "major" stop - there is plenty of parking here, restrooms, and the Park Guide will give you some good advices on the best spots to visit - we focused on the "must" vista points with super easy walk or "no hiking" required in our time here - there is a few $10 per car + $5 per person and you leave it on the dashboard in your car, not sure if anyone ever checks it but you are asked to pay and it actually serves you for 5 locations where such fee is required - so you only pay once - the Canyon itself is of course stunning, amazing, incredible!

3. Waipo'o Falls Lookout - we did this stop one on the way back - you can see the falls a bit from the main Waimea Canyon Look Out but you can get "much closer" to it along the road - there is a parking lot for it but there are many "random" stops along the road that you can actually get to see it as well

4. Pu’u Hinahina Lookout - we were recommended this stop by the Park Guide - it's basically a differently angle on the Waimea Canyon - here you look from the "side" as opposed to "in front of you" at the Waimea Canyon Lookout

5. Kōkeʻe State Park came after that where you stop at
a. Kalalau Lookout
b. Pu’u O Kila Lookout
I have reviewed/left info on this one under Koke State Park profile here on TripAdvisor - these 2 also will use the same fee ticket for parking FYI - they have also separate profiles here just on TripAdvisor and google maps locations - super easy to find

TIP: we didn't go for lunch to the Koke Lodge as we just had a bite right at Waimea before we heading up to the Canyon but the place looked inviting - however, if you want to do what we did then I recommend Island Taco "downtown" Waimea - reviewed separately

Amazing views. I recommend starting early in the morning to avoid crowds. If you continue up the road to where you can hike and see the Na Pali coastline the clouds will roll in so go up in the morning or maybe start there and check everything else out on the way down. We got there mid morning and the clouds were covering all of the views so we missed out on that. Due to the drought the waterfalls in the canyon were dry, but that can't be helped.

The canyon was really breathtaking. Make sure you go on a clear day. I would definitely recommend going in the morning before 10AM.

Great views and a nice drive but be aware you have to pay $10 per car and $5 per person for a 1 day visit.

Must pay by credit card only as they don't accept cash

It was cloudy when we got there but suddenly a wind blew and revealed an amazing valley. Beautiful! You could see for miles and miles.Stunning colors.

WOW..just wow! This is a place looks like it does in the pictures and is even more beautiful in person. At the first official stop, you can pick up your park pass which is $10/car and $5/ person. This will cover entrance into both Waimea and it's sister park Koke'e. There's also trail maps and a volunteer there to answer any questions. The drive is slow because the road is SUPER windy and has 5 official stops. The second stop has a lodge, museum, and picnic area - we packed a lunch and ate there. The views of Waimea Canyon are breathtaking!! We had done a helicopter tour a couple days before so weren't sure if it be as cool to see from the ground and let me tell you, the perspective from the ground was just as majestic!! We didn't do any hiking and honestly, the stop off's and lookouts were all we needed to observe these spectacular parks. We were lucky to go on clear day, although the last stop in Koke'e park (Kalalau Valley Lookout) was socked in. We didn't know until we got there so you just have to check it out regardless of the weather. So happy we did the drive through both the parks. Plan to spend most of the day here - it will be worth it!!

A serene and beautiful park. When standing at top of the mountain, watching clouds below your feet and hugged around by clouds ☁️ is a heavenly feeling.
Lots of good hiking trails, so put on your sneakers and try this #1 must do in Kauai.

This is a beautiful area with fantastic views. The winding road was nauseating for many of the riders in our car. Drive slow to keep a comfortable crew. We were disappointed there was no view from the top as it was overcast. But happy that we did not have to stop there and pay $10 to park and $5 to walk up to the view point.

Stunning! Truly the Grand Canyon of Hawai’i. There were meadows, waterfalls, beautiful canyons and incredible colours. Make sure you go to Porky’s for lunch.

We enjoyed driving our EV car around the island. The views and vistas were spectacular. It was cool at the top-in the clouds.

It's a nice drive from the west side of the island. The views were spectacular. Wish we had more time to do a bit of hiking. Wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Such a pretty drive with some beautiful stops. Prepare yourself if you want to park and walk. It gets expensive! Go early in the day.

We went on our first day of vacation. It was clear and sunny. The trails were very wet from the rain earlier in the day. We were very happy with the cost for parking.

We drove the entire canyon drive route in our own vehicle with a couple of notable stops along the way. Some sections of the road are a little scary and rough. Expect to spend an entire day here, especially if you are planning on hiking. The last section of the drive was gated off due to "potholes". We walked that section all the way to the end. It was nice to have the last 1-2 miles to ourselves as 90% of the tourists opted to not walk the road past the gate. The end was spectacular with 4000 ft sweeping views of the canyon below out to the ocean. There was a blanket of mist moving up and over the mountains toward us.

Unbelievable views and several places along the drive in to stop and get photos.

Highly suggest going early in the morning as the road in is very narrow for a two lane road, make sure the driver is comfortable with driving on steeper hills and narrow roads, go slow.

One of the best views in Hawaii!
Easy drive up to the canon with amazing stops to enjoy the glorious journey to the top of the world 🌎
Breathtaking!!!

Lovely drive and views. This is definitely a great drive when you are on Kaua'i. It has some nice pull off points but be careful of all the potholes. It could leave you stranded with very spotty cell service. There is plenty of hiking trails that will probably give you better views than from the road but since I don't hike, I can only give you the car view perspective. There are basic restroom facilities and make sure to bring water. There are places to pull off for a picnic. We did Waimea Canyon Rd going up and took the Koke'e Rd back down. Both were fantastic with amazing views.

We loved our experience at Waimea Canyon State Park. We enjoyed several overlooks, the museum, and a nice hike on the Canyon Trail. The view was spectacular and the hike was just right for us. It was strenuous but not too long. It was worth the view!

We read several reviews which prepared us for 1) wearing the appropriate shoes (not tennis shoes or sandals), 2) the trail is quite slippery and more vertical than expected, 3) the falls are small but there’s a hidden gem beyond the “closed” signs that’s a nice place to sit if there aren’t lots of people just below the falls, and 4) “go early” means before 9 am. We started down the trail by 8:30 and only saw 3 people going down. On the way back there were a lot of people coming down! Including stops to take photos it took us 1:40 minutes round trip.

A very nice valley to walk through. Parking is free, after which a ticket costs $25 per person.
If you walk all the paths, that's quite fine. Beautiful park, only the waterfall is nothing. If you want to go for it: you can swim there, but you must wear a life jacket!

This was a wonderful drive with plenty of overlooks. You pay once at a parking lot and then can drive to all of the others. The views were gorgeous. We went early and we were glad we did. The last mile of the road (mile 18-19) has many potholes so we stopped there and turned around.

Windy drive up the hill about 12 miles from the entrance to get to the lookout point. Great views of the Waimea Canyon below and waterfall. After the lookout point, turned right back onto the road and went to the next entrance and hiked for about 1.5 hours.

Waimea Canyon is a large canyon in western Kauai and is referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is home to the state park of this name, with a road going through it to Koke'e State Park. Along the road, there are many scenic lookouts, some with minimal parking along the road, and a few with parking lots, toilets, etc. As a result, one can get nice views without hiking or walking, but there are also several hiking trails for additional exploration. The road is only accessed from the southwest of the island at Waimea and dead ends at Pu'u O Kila Lookout. The views are beautiful and it is clear why it is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Some parts were crowded, others were not. One simply drives up the road but there are places to pay once in the park, at stopping points like Waimea Canyon Lookout, a place with excellent views.

Even without any hiking, a thorough visit will take a couple hours. The hiking trails can add several more hours, and afterwards the road continues on to Koke'e State Park, which has its own views and trails towards the north western part of the island.

Very pretty drive and reasonable fees to get into the park. We followed the recommendation to use 550 to go up to the park and take Kokee Rd back. We didn’t luck out and had rain, but that is to be expected.

Beautiful views! Mark Twain called it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Worth the 1 1/2 hour bus drive from the cruise terminal. Walking to lookout points not bad and there are also ramps for wheelchair access.

The only problem with this trip was the cloud, it was wonderful for the experience but not for the pictures I tried to take. It is the biggest canyon in the Pacific, but very small for those who visited the Grand Canyon. It is all lava and trees, very green i between the rocks. Beautiful.

It's hit or miss to see this with cloud cover. Best viewing in the morning. Drive your own vehicle and see more stops than on a tour.

Nature is incredible. Go check this out and have patience. We went and it transitioned from a fog wall in front of our faces with zero visibility to a pristine day in the span of 45 minutes. We went to multiple overlooks and luckily were still there when it cleared up.

Great views of the canyon and waterfall and further down the road is the coast ridge.

$22 dollars for 2 people and parking that's valid for all overlooks.

What a great way to spend a day! I think we stopped at every pull off we drove by, and each view just kept getting better and better!

There are 5 “official” placed to stop. You pay $10 per car and $5 per person ONCE, and it’s good for all 5 stops (so don’t through away the little receipt). And we DID see someone happily ticketing cars without it, so don’t try to save the $20. :)

Just take your time… no hurry!… and be sure to take the road all the way to the end for the best view of the Na Pali coast!

Gorgeous canyons and numerous outlooks. Be sure you stop and pay the fees. And check for muddy conditions on the trails. Worth half a day.

It's an interesting drive from town to the state park. We only went to the lookout point. Non Hawaii residents pay $10/vehicle and $5/person. Not bad. The views are gorgeous and worth the effort. They have a gently sloping walkway to help get you to the lookout point. There are restrooms near the parking lot but they are ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! So, if you can plan ahead of time to stop elsewhere, that might be a good use of your time.

We decided to drive up into the park and I have to say, this is a must see in Kauai. There are many opportunities to stop on the side of the road while driving up the canyon to see some great views and take pictures. If you go far enough, there are trails you can hike for a day fee, which I recommend trying one out!

The beauty is amazing. It was raining on and off but thankfully the fog stayed away. It’s a bad road full of potholes but worth the trip

Excellent and gorgeous location with knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful staff. Highly recommend going with the family.

This truly is the "Grand Canyon" of Hawaii. If you go to Kauai, do not miss Waimea Canyon, even if it is a bit drizzly or cloudy. We braved the rain forecast and the weathered cleared nicely for us. The ride to the canyon is scenic and there are lots of additional sites to see off the road on the coast travelling to or from the canyon. Spend some time there. On this journey, take a side trip to Poipu Beach. We were able to see 3 resting Hawaiian Green Turtles and a monk seal at the shore, as well as whales in the distance.

Very beautiful park with lots to see. So much different viewpoints to see the canyon and the famous Napali Coast (Cathedral) views. Highly recommended

The state park is a must do in Kauai. If you don't want to take a trail, there are some lookouts for you to see the canyon. The views are excellent. There are views of canyon, water falls and the coast.

It was a medium level hike. It had a variety of terrain and surrounding plants and rock formations. Watch your footing and recommend hiking boots or trail running shoes.

A great place to view the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, as Mark Twain dubbed it. Short drive from Waimea with more great views on the drive. There is a fee to pay, which supports the park and the staff that run it, keeping it clean and well maintained. When we went the fees were $10 per vehicle and $5 per person in your vehicle. So we paid $40 since we had 6 people (all adults) in our vehicle.

Waimea Canyon is the WOW must see place on Kauai. It's well worth the long winding drive up the hill to gaze down into this huge and colorful canyon. There are many pullouts along the way for taking photographs. Most of them will be full of cars but if you are patient you can usually find a spot. There is a nice lodge at the top that serves great lunch, has a good bar, and a well-stocked souvenir store. After you've seen the the Canyon you can keep going to the Kalalau Lookout and hope that the weather will be kind to you and allow you to see the Napili coast. If you have only one day on Kauai this is probably the thing to do.

So beautiful and lush. The drive to the canyon was spectacular, the trails were not too difficult. Easy walks to beautiful overlooks of the valleys and ocean.

Absolutely beautiful! I love the contrast of the greenery with the red dirt. This is a must visit while on Kauai! Note there is a fee to visit this park.

We parked, paid & lucked out on seeing the canyon before the fog rolled in. It’s colder up there so take layers & good shoes

Long drive into the park, but worth it. The views from the overlooks are awesome. At the first overlook, there was a native Hawaiin there, talking about life in the valley years ago. It was quite interesting. We also drove into Kokee State Park. The museum there was great also.

Wow! This is a definite must do in Kauai. Spectacular views of the canyon at the Waimea Canyon Lookout. But take the extra 20 minutes to drive up to Kalalua Trail Lookout to see the Napali Coast from the top!

Simply loved it! We had a local uber driver who offered to be our tour guide - and he was amazing took us to all of the lookouts. We only had one day here, so couldn't do any hikes, but if that's your thing, there are some brilliant hikes all over this area - worth checking out! Whatever your ideal holidaying style - you will be able to enjoy this amazing part of the world!

Beautiful. We also visited the Grand Canyon and they also call it the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. I understand the comparison. We drove there via the 550 highway. Then you have the red sand with a little water. Beautiful viewpoints. Also made a nice walk towards the waterfall. We wear good shoes. You pay once at the parking lot and this pass is then valid at all parking lots/viewpoints. You can also park in the non-official parking lots and see plenty. What you want. But it's beautiful. Every corner is different. The walk is beautiful and the last parking lot is really beautiful.

For me, this was an exceptional trip. Celebrating my close friends cancer recovery and 55th. birthday. Living in Arizona and having seen the Grand Canyon several times, this was like a smaller version of the Grand Canyon but brilliantly colorful with the greens and blues.
A must see if you get to Kauai.

A must see for anyone staying in Kauai. Simply breathtaking with so many lookouts. Don't miss out if you are in Hawaii. See the beauty of this world when you can.

Rainy drive up to the lookout. We were hoping to see the canyon from there but with the low clouds and rain we had to settle for the beautiful view from a pulloff further down the mountain.

Still stunning, and a fun, twisty drive!

This experience was well worth the park entrance fee. The clouds rolled in which made the one large waterfall hard to see so we drove a little further and went on hiking trail back to the waterfall instead. The hike was a little challenging but very worth the views that we were able to see.

First, let me say we took several Polynesian Tours while in Oahu and Kauai. The tour guides in Oahu were hit or miss. One threatening to leave people behind. Our last tour guide in Kauai was the best! Her name is Sabrina. She is a local. She was phenomenal. Being this was a whole day tour, that made a difference. She rearranged the schedule so us coffee lovers could get our fix, early at Kauai Coffee Company. Pickup time was 7:30 am! She pointed out the places to go/not go to eat. She also was very clear about bathroom breaks.

This tour is worth EVERY penny. The places you see are so worth it. Spouting Horn is amazing, Kauai Coffee is neat, Waimea Canyon is simply breathtaking, Waimea Canyon is MUST SEE!! Koke Lodge is a nice, woodsy lodge and the swinging bridge. It's nice to have a local drive around d these winding, curving, uphill roads.

We had a lunch break, where you got to choose your lunch from 2 or 3 items, it was ordered ahead and when you got to the restaurant you had time to sit, relax and use the restrooms. (A nice change from eating on the bus on another tour.)

There are many canyons of all sorts; however, this one is drop dead gorgeous and most worthwhile for a visit. We really loved it here!

Absolutely beautiful. The view makes you feel so small. It is definitely a worthwhile visit. We rented a car and drove up. The primary lookout was closed for renovations but there was a secondary lookout that was open and the view is spectacular. Highly recommend.

This was breathtaking. My parents, adult children, husband and I all considered this the highlight of our trip to Hawaii. Pictures don’t do it justice.

Waimea canyon is breathtaking. Beautiful and majestic. I could spend hours there just taking in all of its beauty. We are kama’aina visiting and it’s too bad that the sign letting us know to present our ID’s was not placed near the machines to pay. We ended up paying and came back down to the car where NOW the sign was to let US know we were supposed to be free. There was a person sitting there that didn’t greet us or say anything so that was a little disappointing. However we loved it and enjoyed our time there.

A fantastic experience great photo opportunity, remember the last lookout road is closed so you will have to walk to it distance is about a mile, worth the walk. Walking surface is on the closed roadway.

Even though we never actually found the trails, the views are breathtaking and a must see. You can drive through and stop at all the lookout spots and see the beauty

The views are fantastic. Unbelievable scenery in every direction. There are waterfalls everywhere. The xanyon can be seen from many locations , I recommend downloading one of the guided tour apps.

Took drive up through the canyon. It was nice to see the views, but to be honest it was nice, but really did not wow us. It was described as Hawaii's grand canyon, but really not close to the Grand Canyon. There are several turnouts you can pull over and look over the canyon, but as most pictures posted, is what you see. The actual State Park was closed for repairs, but if you keep driving you can pull over and see the same views. I guess we were expecting more for some reason. You could see a waterfall way out in the distance. For those that hike a lot, you may enjoy more.

We encountered a lot of rain and fog, but I was determined to see the spectacular views. After waiting a bit, the fog lifted enough - just mesmerizing.

There is a $5 fee/person and a $10 parking fee.

We talked to several people that got there and it was so cloudy they couldn't see much. Go early in the morning for less traffic and more chance of clear skies.

A definite must-see on any trip to Kauai. While some of the trails were a little muddy we took hiking shoes which are washable so it really wasn't a big deal.

I was concerned that according to the weather forecast, the canyon and the Kalalau Valley should've been covered in clouds. However, the viewing conditions here are very unpredictable, and the only way to confirm is to take the drive. Personally, I don't like the canyon overlook that is usually packed with people. If you continue on the road, you 'll get amazing unobstructed views along the way towards the Kalalau lookout. You also get a closer view of the canyon waterfall. If you want an incredible view of the Kalalau Valley, don't stop at the lookout, continue to the end of the road and your short uphill walk from the parking lot will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the ocean through the breathtaking valley. Beware! The road condition past the Kalalau lookout deteriorates. Proceed with caution to avoid very deep potholes on some parts of the road. If you are not comfortable driving on a narrow, winding mountain road, this might not be a drive for you (and your rental car). Otherwise, enjoy the views - you get plenty of them on this adventure!

One of the most amazing places I have ever seen! If you come to Kauai, the Weimea Canyon State Park is a must do! Even if you are not a hiker (like me!) you can drive and make several stops to check things out. The view from the top is just breathtaking!

A visit to this famous landmark topped our sightseeing agenda. Fees of $10 for parking and $5 per person, paid with credit card at onsite machine, were well worth it. It’s wonderful that easier, zigzagging path access was available for movement-challenged visitors. The sight of the sunlight moving across the red, green, and brown hued landscape was magnificent and breathtaking. What a natural masterpiece! We could see a waterfall in the distance. And tiny tour helicopters circling.

Worth the drive but keep going to see the valley! Lots for vistas and hiking paths along the way! Hike at the end takes you to an upland swamp high above the valley.

There is enough to see here to spend a few days just sightseeing. If you like to hike, a whole week for a few more days to get in more popular hikes. Try to get there early as clouds move in later in the day.

Wimea Canyon - the Grand Canyon of the Pacific was a wonder to see. The lush terrian is incredible. One lookout was closed durng our visit, but we found parking at another lookout point that had a wheelchair ramp and was assesseible to the top to see the spectacular view. We also saw to mountain goats. The drive up was trepidation for my sister. The road up is winding and steep.

Waimea Canyon Drive is definitely a must do while visiting Kauai. It is a spectacular twisty road that is a fun drive with lots of hikes available along the way. I would say most of the hikes are strenuous, but it is possible to do a few short hikes by choosing the length that you want to do. The views of the canyon are breathtaking from several viewpoints along the way.

What a beautiful part of Hawaii! I never knew such a place existed on the islands. This is easy to drive to and see. A native Hawaiian was at the top of the summit and gave an interesting presentation.

This park was so very beautiful Absolutely breathtaking Mither Nature iud did herself here! The colors were so very vivid! Humbling .

This canyon is a must visit on the island of Kauai. The drive is long and curvy...and full of tour buses and such, but the vistas are well worth the driving challenges. The waterfalls, the colors, and the grandeur of this canyon will amaze you. Take the time to take it all in. Plan for plenty of time. We spent an entire day driving, hiking, and just sitting the edge of several lookouts.

Thank you to those of you that left reviews for this very special place on Kauai. We left the Poipu area at 6am and were enjoying the breathtaking views of the canyon by 7:03am. Bathrooms are clean and take a sweatshirt and good hiking shoes. No flip flops. It gets chilly and so glad we went early for clear views.

One of the most beautiful sites you will ever see. Hands down gorgeous. It was so crowded but everyone was so in awe that you really were very conscious of the others also wanting to see it and to take fotos.

100% recommend visiting this state park and driving up the Waimea canyon road. It is very well paved and marked, accessible by any car. Views of the canyon are spectacular. The road takes you from sea level up to over 4000 ft. You’ll see a beautiful waterfall among cliffs, mountains and valleys, basking in colors of green, red and earth tones. Depending on the time of day you go and current weather conditions, you experience different lighting of the canyon’s many geologic features. Morning, midday or afternoon are all perfectly great times to go with different sections of the canyon highlighted by the sun as clouds of varying size and density act as filters for this grand stage illumination. In case there is a bit of periodic rain, go anyway, nature will reward you with a fantastic rainbow spanning over the top of the mountain. Take as many photos and videos as fit on your camera, you can always edit them later. There are four built out lookouts, one of them was closed at the time we went. They all have ample parking with paved paths and few steps to a lookout platform, which is also accessible by wheelchair or with stroller along a low sloped ramp. Restroom facilities are good at each lookout. Hawaiian residents go free, the rest of us will pay by credit card only $10 per car and $5 per person for all the lookouts. You’ll find the Pay stations on each lookout’s parking lot. Besides these lookouts, there are other opportunities along the road where you can safely pull over and snap a quick picture. Drive slowly and safely for everyone’s enjoyment. Give yourself at least three hours from the start in Waimea. Towards the end of the road there is the Kōke’e lodge and museum. Check their website for latest info, they closed at 4 pm the day we went.

What a gorgeous canyon. Not only are very multiple viewing points, but at the main viewing point you can see clear to the ocean. A must see while in Kauai.

This is a must-see on your trip to Kauai. We stayed near the north side of the island, so this was an almost 2 hour drive each way, but well worth it. There are four look out areas with parking once you get to Waimea Canyon state park. The 4th one was closed when we went, but you get gorgeous views from each of these viewpoints. You can pay for parking at any of the viewpoints. On the way up to the park, we saw other tourists, and we stopped at a waterfall off the road which was beautiful. Parking is a bit tough, but people are leaving, so if you wait for a few minutes, you should be able to find a spot. There were not many food options except the lodge, so it is best to pack food with you. There are many hikes, ranging from easy to challenging. We did the Canyon trail, which was beautiful and worth it.

Simply a must do when visiting Kauai. It was my 3rd time visiting Waimea Canyon and it is always awe inspiring. If you start early, you can avoid the crowds. Also, there is a fee of $10 per vehicle and $5 per person.
We were lucky to catch it on a relatively cloudless day, so we were able to see Niihau and the Na Pali coast in all their glory.
At the end of the road, the road had many potholes, other than this it was smooth sailing. Highly recommend.

This drive is quite spectacular! The canyon is beautiful! The contrast of green foliage and rock create a lovely view.

The road is in good condition and very safe. It’s wide enough for cars to pass each other. No problem.

The museum is small, but interesting. We really enjoyed the adjacent building that housed a restaurant and gift shop.

Wonderful daytrip! Take a day, drive up the mountain, stop at every overlook, take a million pictures, make memories!

We had rented a car for the day and drove to the state park. The views and overlooks are absolutely amazing...it's called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for a good reason. Parking is $ 20 for the day and is valid throughout the park (credit card only and you need the license plate for the car). Picnic tables and restrooms are available throughout and we found parking to be ample. The historic Koke'e Lodge has a restaurant and gift shop.

The kayaking was peaceful early on the morning. Start around 700am-730am. Rent from the kayak place right by the river so you don’t have to strap the kayak on your car.

The trail to secret falls is not marked. That was disappointing. Also the river you cross on foot has very slippery rocks.

Beautiful drive with lookout stops along the way and picnic area at the museum. sometimes you have to park along the road, so just look for places cars have pulled off. most lookouts are not signed.

We were a bit unfortunate. We couldn’t go on our planned day (when we were staying in Poipu) because brush fires resulted in the road being closed.
We went later in the week (from Princeville so it took over 1.5 hours to get there). That day had some sun but also plenty of rain. Therefore, we didn’t get to do any of the hikes we had planned. The views from the top of the road were blocked by clouds. We did get some great views at the canyon lookout though.

Some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. The canyon was breathtaking. The state park service did a nice job on the road going up the hills. We did not do any hiking but the trails must have been gorgeous.

We rented a car while staying in the Lihue area and came out west to see the park. We are a bit spoiled coming from Arizona and being close to the Grand Canyon, but this is beautiful and different. Most of it is on your own at pull outs and overlook areas. Be ready to get a parking pass and keep it in your car for the different overlook areas. This is a bucket list item.

Absolutely breathtaking views. Unfortunately it was raining a bit when we visited to the amount of hiking we would have liked to do was limited. There is an abundance of hikes throughout the park. The drive is very nice with multiple lookout points if hiking is not your thing.

Meraviglioso.il heart opens in this place that embraces sky sea waterfalls and transports back into prehistory.surprises that there are no pterodactyls.... the photos do not make live and 'a unique experience

This is a full day trip if you stop and see everything and do the hikes at the different sites. I suggest starting early as the fog comes in later on the day and you will miss seeing the Napili Coast, the gem of the trip at the end. The road is difficult to drive for the driver… tight and blind turns. It’s very tiring. There is a lodge quite a way in with a restaurant and gift store. Rest rooms are along the way. The last mile or so had treacherous potholes. Beware!

Beautiful, scenic hike through the rainforest to get to canyon view. Family friendly. Took us about 2.5-3 hours total. Little offshoots to get down to small waterfalls. Thankfully it was not raining, so the trail was not slippery.

Simply amazing! The views from the lookouts are breathtaking. If you happen to visit the island of Kauai you must be sure to visit.

Not to be missed! Make sure and bring a rain jacket as weather just rolls in when you least expect it. The lookouts are incredible and don’t skip them.

Good road markings and decent facilities. Paying to park was simple. But we experienced multiple days of fog in January where the view was limited. But of the views we did have, it was breathtaking.

We enjoyed all of the views and lookouts on our drive up the canyon. There are two major lookouts, the Waimea Canyon lookout and the Pu'u o kila Lookout at the very end. All of the associated trails are outlined at the Waimea Canyon lookout but not at the Pu'u o kila Lookout. We do wish we had reviewed that compiled, trail information prior to leaving Waimea Canyon lookout as we would have done the Pihea Trail which is a 2 mile total, canyon rim trail that starts at the Pu'u o kila lookout. There were so many "canyon trails" called "canyon trails" that we got confused with our maps. Also, at MM 18 the Kalalau Lookout goes to the left and there is a small parking lot to the right and a road that would normally go up to the Pu'u o kila lookout but the road at this first parking lot was closed to vehicles. We had to walk a little over a mile on a very hilly, up and down, road to the lookout. Views were incredible and we also wish we had done the Pihea Trail but didn't realize it was only 2 miles round trip. Don't forget to pay your State Park fees at the automated tellers. We saw a State Worker sticking reminders on the vehicles who had not paid. $10 per car plus $5 per person. Credit card only.

Drove all the way till the road ends ! Both Waimea canyon views as well as Napali coast views were spectacular. Didnt do much hiking since trails were very muddy (in December)

This is our 2nd time on kauai and 2nd time visiting this park. The drive is easy and enjoyable, we loved it in the convertible and were never cold and never felt the road was too small (especially compared to some of our drives on Maui). The photo opportunities are fantastic, although we didn’t do any hiking because my wife is pregnant, it was still worth it for only the views. We stopped at the 3 lookout points I saw online at the 10,13.5,18 mile markers and walked around all 3 spots. We went up the 550 and went down the 552 and enjoyed the views both ways.

We live in Honolulu so we had to visit Kauai for the experience. We drove around the island and did the Napali Coast boat experience which was exhilarating. We went into caves with waterfalls, encounter schools of dolphins, saw humpback whales and seeing the island from the water was mesmerizing.
We stayed at the Marriott Kauai Beach Club which was awesome. Beautiful resort with many amenities including 3 restaurants which were very good.
My favorite island is still Oahu. Kauai was nice but I would be bored to death after a week.

Great view. Helicopter was a little better than the drive but I would suggest both. Seeing the colors of the canyon was spectacular.

This canyon is very beautiful. The stairs are very steep, but the railing is very safe. Enjoyed the visit. Need cleaner restrooms.

This is a must-see if you are in Kauai! The drive was beautiful and there were some great hiking trails and beautiful scenic vistas.

Weather didn't cooperate the two times we visited. Clouds billowed into the Canyon during our first visit and it started raining before 10am as we reached the last viewpoint during our second try.
The actual top viewpoint and the road to it is currently closed - although we didn't see any reason or roadwork in progress. We walked in dense fog to the Pihea trailhead. A local had referred to the wet red clay as Hawaiian ice" so as the rain increased, we decided against our planned hike.
In this weather there were still good views from some of the lower elevation viewpoints.

What a jaw dropping visit this was. The beauty of the canyon is totally amazing.
Don't miss a day trip here on your visit. No food or beverages so be prepared.

I really enjoyed going to visit with my friend! If you're lucky, you'll catch it on a day where it isn't too cloudy. We had a nice little picnic and chilled. The ride down had me a little queasy but overall it was amazing!

The Waimea Canyon is absolutely stunning! There are a lot of opportunities for striking photos The State Park is beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed the gentleman who spoke about Hawaii and Kauai. He was an added unexpected delight.

The views from the road along the mountain ridge were just amazing. The Waimea Canyon from above is just gourgeous.

Make it a full day trip and be prepared for the potholes. Considering this is the #1 attraction on Kauai, you would think the state would spend the money to fix the potholes which in some cases are truly dangerous. However don't let that stop you from going all the way to the end of the road to the scenic overlook, with the NaPali cliffs and coast down below. We came in the winter so the water was too rough to cruise the NaPali Coastline, but this was the next best thing. We stopped at the 1st overlook and paid the park fee. The view was spectacular. Don't be in a hurry. Take in each view and just have a long look at the birds circling down in the canyons. There was a young native Hawaiian man dressed in a traditional clothing who gave us a history talk, for tips. We really enjoyed what he shared with us!
We skipped the 2nd overlook but had lunch at the lodge, and then drive over the rutted roads to the 3rd and final dramatic overlook. It was a fantastic day, and the colors of the red earth and green vegetation was a treat for a photographer.

Breathtaking canyons & scenery and nice uphill drive on this must do experience. We found good parking in the morning. Be prepared to use a credit card at a ticket machine (no cash) for a one time payment for mainland visitors for your parking, which then covers you at all the lookout locations in Waimea Canyon & Kokee state park at the very top where you can see the Na Pali coastline. Take water and a lunch or snacks. There are rustic bathrooms at the lookout spots. Very highly recommended.

We saw this beautiful area thru the lens of Kauai helicopter tours, and were not disappointed. The mass of beautiful land, mountains, waterfalls, and beauty can not be understated. Taake the trip, you will not regret it.

Loved my second trip to Waimea Canyon State Park! Exceptional views, uncrowded stops along the way, and tons of beautiful plants and geological formations to see. Fewer waterfalls than I remember, but amazing nonetheless.
Bring water, hiking shoes, sunblock/hat, and bug spray.
Great lunch at Kokee Lodge with local live music.

The canyon is amazing, 6 Stars. The short hikes from the lookouts along the road are wonderful.
Pay for parking!!! I heard people say to the native attendent, "I'm just looking..." Well, looking by being able to park safely is what we're paying for, on land we've transformed. I was embarrassed by those people. It was $15./day.
Swamp Trail is slippery and overgrown; we went as far as it felt safe. The lookout there and at the end of Awa'wapuhi were beautiful. Start at dawn because they both get crowded.
The cafe is open only from 9am-3:50pm. Bring food from "below."
The duplexes for overnighting are problematic for many reasons. You can't check in til 3, and checkin is "below" so one can barely get to the cafe in time to order takeout for dinner. Ok, no problem being flexible. Cafe food was very good reheated for dinner; we brought coffee and breakfast stuff. Bring instant coffee because you won't know the kind of coffee maker you'll have.
Our duplex was 1. dirty, 2. dirty, 3. dirty. 4. the woodstove had gaping holes in the stovepipe. It was cold enough to need the heat...the hole at the seam to the stove was 2"x4", with smaller ones throughout the pipe. No fire for us. 5. Kitchen had bits and pieces of utensils and cookwear. All of it was dirty. The shelves were dirty. The blankets were dirty. 6. The wonderful location was along the road where people were driving up and down all day.
Ok, it was great to start the day close to the trail heads, and close to the cafe remembering 9-3:50. And returning to one's dirty cabin, with no outside sitting only large parking gravel then the road.

A lovely drive through the park with a few great spots to see the view. Roads are narrow in some places but it all felt pretty safe. Take the turn offs and see the views (decent bathrooms there too). There are some trails at these stops too. $10 for cars and $5 for each guest is the cost if you stop. Keep the ticket. It’s good for any place you stop within the park. There’s a lovely stop with a restaurant, and a little museum and gift shop near the end of the road that has a huge grassy field with benches to sit and picnic. We brought our beach chairs and sat to eat lunch and listened to all the birds around us. It was so peaceful.

We drove all the way to the Outlook. It took us 1.5 hours through the winding road. The view is amazing! It looks like a "green" Grand Canyon.

The canyon was a huge surprise! We had no idea it was there. It’s a must see! On Thursdays there is a Hawaiian guy at the main overlook who gives an excellent interpretation of early Hawaiian culture and life in the canyon.

We picked the perfect day to visit. Lots of lookouts. When you get your the main canyon lookout or the further ocean Na Pali Coast lookout, there is a 10 dollar parking charge and 5 dollars a person on top of that. Pay stations only take credit cards I believe. Make sure you also stop at the red rock waterfall just before mile 5 on either the way up or down. Great family photo op!!

The views at every stop are breathtaking! This should not be missed if you have the opportunity. The road is a bit rough in places, but not as bad as we expected.

Even in the ☔ n this place is magical and well worth the trip. The cliffs are breathtaking

Not to mention all the fauna that can be seen definitely Hawaii's garden island

Wow! Totally incredible!
We had great views 2 of the times we went and one time it was raining and complete cloud cover. Just go on up the mountain and come back down to the overlook and sometimes the wind clears the clouds for the perfect view! Almost more amazing than the Grand Canyon with the lush green landscapes and colors.

Great views, for sure! At times, it was hard to believe that we were in Hawaii as the views were comparable to our Zion National Park/Grand Canyon areas.

The road through this park is curvy & windy......it reminded us of the Road to Hana in Mauai. There are five stops along the way and the road ends in Kookee State Park.

Please be advised that there is a $10 parking fee plus a $5/person charge for viewing at these stops .........these fees are good for all the parks for that same day. Cell phone service gets a bit spotty as you get closer to Kookee State Park so be prepared for that.......take plenty of water with you.

A must see in Kauai. My only complaint is they are now charging to park in the Canyon, which I don’t mind, but the money should go to road and trail maintenance, which is obviously not happening.

I have been here many times. It is a great drive and the canyon is always beautiful. Great place for photos. Drive up to Kokee Park is also worth the trip. Can get a great view of Kalulau Valley. Get up there before noon to avoid clouds/fog.

Lots of lookouts, be sure and go up to the next to last one. Each are a little different. Plan on 3 hours to see and stop more if your a hiker.

Definitely a must do when in Kauai!
Once you pay for one car park it gives you parking for all the other car parks along the way.
Great look out point of the Canyon which is the biggest Canyon in the South Pacific.
Keep going further on past the Waimea Canyon look out and you will get to different lookouts along the Napali coast which are also spectacular.

The views were amazing!! The main overlooks was closed because of an investigation. Understandable but sad to miss it. The road in to the state park was good but the further in you travel the road became very hazardous with huge pot holes!

The stop was simply amazing. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon several times. The view from the summit overlooking this Canyon in Kauai was one of the more breathtaking views I have ever seen.
From the rich vegetation, various shades of vegetation and rock, as well as the cliff formations and the waterfall, made this a surprisingly outstanding visit.
After you leave the park, go down to the village of Waimea and stop at Coconut Corner for a fantastic smoothie

We drove up to Waimea Canyon Lookout and stopped a couple of times along the way to take pictures. The lookout was closed for refurbishment. We kept driving to Pu’u Hinahina Lookout. We paid the fees for being in the state park which was fine - $10/car and $5/person. We decided to take the hike to Cliff Trail Lookout.
We are glad we did as it was a beautiful day to do it. It was a little muddy, but not too bad. Round trip timing was about 2 hours. It was worth the hike.
Highly recommend

My husband and I drove up to Waimea Canyon,as it was recommended by a taxi driver we had the day before. It was a little bit difficult to find as the GPS had told us that we had arrived, but we still had a couple more miles to go. I feel they need some signage to help people find the entrance. Once we found it, we had to pay $10 for parking and $5 per person to look at the canyon. Make sure you take a picture of your license plate before you walk all the way to the machine where you pay for parking. If you don’t (or if you don’t have your license plate memorized), you’ll have to walk back to your car to do that. After we paid the fees, we walked to the area to look at the canyon. Yes, it was pretty, but I’m not sure it’s worth the time to drive all the way there and the parking/entrance fees. If you’ve been to the Grand Canyon or Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado, those are much prettier in my opinion. The neatest part of this day was seeing the little waterfalls and running stream flowing through the red rocks on the left side of the road before you get to Waimea Canyon.

We were pleasantly surprised at the scenery. The canyon was beautiful. It is definitely worth the drive. Also, drive past the canyon and you will see a spectacular view overlooking the ocean.

Look-Out is Closed. Do not drive up. There is no where to stop to see the Little Grand Canyon. We wasted our day driving to Waimea State Park.
Check to see if the Look-Out for the State Park is open.

A great experience with vistas unlike anything else you'll see around the world. Make sure to take the relatively short hike to the overlook. You will not be disappointed. Hike can be a bit steep and slippery so I would rank it as "intermediate".

The first part of our drive was ok, there are numerous places to pull off the road and take pictures Go early, be on the road by 8 am as the mountain can become completely shrouded in clouds, fog and rain. This happened to us about halfway up, we made it to the topmost lookout but couldn’t see anything. Now for the road which is narrow and full of potholes. Be very careful around the corners which are frequent and have many big washouts at the edge of pavement. We unfortunately dropped in one and nearly ruined a tire and wheel. If you tend to get car sick take something before you go. The cost is $10 per car and $5 per person CC only. The lodge does serve food and drinks. The canyon is impressive but it’s not the Grand.

Simply beautiful and breathtaking. It reminded us a bit of the Grand Canyon. We spent a total of four hours in the canyon and enjoyed the different views very much. There were always plenty of parking spaces. A wonderful experience.

What a great drive and amazing views of this canyon which reminded us a lot of Grand Canyon! It is a deep canyon with a very high waterfall that can be easily seen from the pull off for the short walk up to the Canyon Lookout, the first of several viewing points to stop at. When we were there, there was still a bit of sun shining and we could see the entire canyon and waterfalls in sharp detail. From there, we drove the rest of the way to the very end stopping at a couple of other places, and by the time we got to the highest part of the canyon where we had planned to walk a two mile out and back trail, the Pihea Vista Trail, fog had rolled in so dense that we couldn't even see the trees down below or any of the canyon as we had earlier!
We waited to see if the fog would blow away, but it didn't, so we drove back down the mountain road and stopped at the museum. Unfortunately, it was getting ready to close, and it was only around 3:30! So we checked out the many roosters, female chickens, babies, and the many doves that were resting in the partial sun! There was a sign on the restaurant next to the museum that advertised cocktails, and my husband said, "Wow! All those roosters here give new meaning to the term, cock tails, huh?!!?" Funny guy!
This was a beautiful drive and great viewing for part of the time, and I would expect it would be gorgeous in full sunshine!!

Waimea Canyon is an amazing site. Unfortunately it was a pretty cloudy, rainy day and even though we headed up early the views were still a bit fogged in. Even then it was worth the drive as the scenery is stunning.

This is worth the drive. The lookout locations and turnouts along the road are worth stopping. The road is not bad, although some of the turnouts can be sloppy and bumpy.

First and foremost it's a MUST if visiting Kauai.

We went and stopped at as many lookouts as possible. We drove up to the very last lookout and where the road ends. We did get off and did short hike on Canyon Trail but if you don't want to hike stick to lookouts and you should still be to see how majestic it is.

Take snacks and water since there are not many options up there apart Kooke Park. Plenty areas to stop and use restrooms.

Great day to visit the canyon. No clouds and the swell was gone. They now charge to visit - $10.00 per car and $5.00 per person.

A distinct part of the “garden island” to see. Trails would be difficult if just rained so beware and plan to visit to hike after some dry days.

Beautiful view. Winding roads so not good if you get car sick. Worth the drive. The Grand Canyon of Hawaii for sure. Won’t disappoint you.

We hiked the Canyon Trail—ends at a waterfall, which was lovely. The hike was tougher than we expected—it was rated moderate, but we found it difficult due to much of it being uphill and a lot of using roots as handles to pull yourself up or to stabilize. Certainly doable, though, and the views and waterfall made it all worth it. My 11 year old and 14 year old handled it fine. I would not bring a small child, though.

It is a very beautiful place, difficult to access, so it is recommended to go by bus if you are not used to driving your car on narrow, steep roads with many curves. Once at the top where the viewpoint is located, the views last a maximum of 30-40 minutes. So the transfer ends up being longer, but it is worth it, since it is a unique place on the island.

Such beautiful country. An obvious must do. Our hike into the canyon was great, but you must be equiped: hiking shoes and lots of water. Coming back up it was 95° in the shade, we went through 3 quarts a person in half a day. Saw People in sandales without water going down, hope they made it ok.

Very beautiful point of view, which looks a lot like the canyons of California
It was formed by the collapse of a volcano several million years ago

We were lucky to have a sunny day to view the canyon and all the valley lookouts. The drive up is a bit dicey especially at the top where the potholes are massive!! The views are jaw-droppingly stunning! The parking lots were full in the middle of the day on a Sunday but we only had to wait a few minutes for a spot to open up. There is a fee for parking ($10/car and $5 pp entrance fee) but it covers all the lookouts on the drive up. Tip- 1) make sure to bring some water, since the first few stops have toilets but the water is not drinkable. Kokee Lodge is the first stop on the drive up where there is a restaurant and gift shop. 2) ideally go early in the day, when it's more likely you will have clear weather. Apparently, it can get quite foggy and misty in the afternoons. This drive was definitely worth it!!

Unbelievable views of the canyon with short walks to overlooks from your vehicle. This is not to be missed if you are traveling to Kauai for the first time. The final overlook is a spectacular view of the Pacific from 5400' at the top of the canyon.

. And it is possible to make the entire route by car by stopping at the lookouts, or to make the trails that take at least 1 h to 6 h depending on the route chosen

We took a mid morning trip to see the canyon on May 16. You travel up a long and winding road for what seemed to be close to an hour as we were told to visit the Kalalau Valley (last) lookout first.
There was one other major lookout 5-10 minutes before Kalalau and a number of other minor lookouts to see when pulling off the road. Theres very little signage to confirm you are on the correct road but keep driving and eventually you will reach the Kalalau lookout parking lot. There ia a parking pay meter on the walk to the lookout that seems to operate on the honor system. $10 per car and $5 per non-Hawaiian resident. Unfortunately at this time, a heavy fog prevented any views from the lookout. We stopped at the next lookout parking lot on the way down and had wonderful views of the valley with the clouds lifting from it. The views are definitely worth the trip. You get beautiful ocean views on the way down from the trip. Tips: medication for car sickness if needed, drop car into lower gear or ride your breaks the last 5 min of the descent 😁

When you get tired of laying on the beach in Kauai, Waimea Canyon State Park is a good day trip.

$5 per visitor; but, entry is free for Hawaii residents (with proper ID). Go early to avoid the crowds.

Beautiful drive up and down the canyon, with several waterfall view points and other views. The road is paved and suitable for any vehicle, but watch for potholes in many areas. If you go up one way, look for the fork to come down the other way for some new scenery. Parks are pay to use!

Breathtaking views. Easy roadside access to several waterfalls. Roads to some lookout points require SUV type vehicle as roads are bumpy (pot holes).

Breathe taking views. U must see this Canyon by land or air or both. We rode the helicopter over and drove in the Canyon.

This is a must go it a beautiful drive the day after a long beach day. So many overlooks. But when you make it to the top it is truly breathtaking. We were over a rainbow overlooking a valley with the ocean beyond it. Absolutely beautiful.

Take this drive for some incredible views of Kauai. You can easily drive yourself and stop at all the different lookouts along the way. We went in the afternoon and were fortunate to have clear skies until the very end when the clouds started rolling in. You pay one parking fee and that is good for the entire day. Be sure to stop at the Red Dirt waterfall!

One of Kauai’s gems and everyone can enjoy. You can take a scenic drive and stop at lookouts or hike to majestic waterfalls. We did both. If I were going to do it again I would go early in the morning and try to beat the intense sun. Be sure to take plenty of water if you feel adventurous and plan to hike.

Beautiful park however, $10.00 for parking and an additional $5.00 per person seems high. The only plave to eat has ridiculous prices also. $17.00 for a small cup of soup & a very thin( 2 slices of cheese) grilled cheese sandwich?
The views were amazing and so are the prices

The canyon is pretty, it takes a bit to actually get up to the gorgeous lookout points and you can’t see a lot of the canyon until you are well up in it. If you stop at the ‘lookout points’ it is very pricey (there are multiple), however, there are spots to pull over to see gorgeous views along the way that are free. The huge waterfall towards the end is beautiful and the views are spectacular.

Wow—breathtaking views at Waimea Canyon. We saw lots of waterfalls, and the canyon was lush and so green. The lookout is handicapped accessible allowing all to enjoy the views. The road getting up to the overview was very curvy and steep. I was glad to be on a tour and not driving this on my own. Definitely recommend seeing this when visiting Kauai.

Yep, definitely amazing views and comment from my wife was - “this a is a lot prettier than Grand Canyon”
If you are in Princeville, it is a long 2.5 hour drive to get there but worth it

This is simply one of the most pristine natural attractions I've ever had the privilege of viewing. Indescribable in words; you have to see it to appreciate it!

We drove to the park as part of an audio tour, stopped at a few places long the rim for pictures ,also took a helicopter tour over it and that really showcased this spectacular geological formation.If your interest is in hiking, there is a 22 mile hike for the really fit hiker as well as several other trails for all levels of ability.

My girlfriend and I drove to the canyon and stopped at multiple look out points. It was a wonderful exploration. No tour guide needed.

The beauty of the canyon is breathtaking. We did many of the lookouts, but not the hiking trails as it was raining when we visited. This place is a must see.

Incredible place, one of the best places I have visited in my life, you can go by car and not necessarily do the hike, still the view is incredible and wonderful

Still one of the most beautiful places in the world. I don't want to start a fight, but it's prettier than the Grand Canyon.

Beautiful canyon, great colors and waterfall.
Unfortunately at the end of road for one more view we were in the clouds and a very grey view!

Much easier road trip than Hana (or West Maui loop). Many places to stop and get great views of thus wonder, including designated lookouts with ample parking. Tha last lookout at Kookee state park was fogged in , but overall this is highly recommended. Many trail options from real easy (Iliua loop) to very difficult. Do your research and planning before you go.

The canyon is gorgeous and worth the stop. To get into the state park you will be charged $25. Worth the cost. Not crowded in October. Highly recommend stopping and enjoy the views.

Well worth the slow curvy drive.
The views are spectacular.
Enjoyed the views from each observation point.
Highly recommended, will not be disappointed.

A nice walk going down into the canyon. A tougher, but still nice, walk coming up and back out. My wife and I are glad we did this.

Don’t leave Kauai without at least taking this drive and stopping at every view lookout. The beauty is so mind blowing. The 3.6 mile hike to Waimea Canyon lookout is a little challenging when wet. Some steep trails in the middle area become slippery mud punctuated by crisscrossing roots. Definitely not for flip flops.

At the first official lookout there is a map with all the trail routes in the area. When we visited there was also a ranger/volunteer on hand who gave us tips on the trails we should visit. Definitely worth visiting during a stay on Kauai. There is a charge to enter the Park which you can pay via the machines at the lookouts.

This is one adventure you don’t want to miss. Unfortunately everything is being charged for these days. It is absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. If you’ve been to the Grand Canyon in AZ, you will love it here. Nice driving tour with several spots to stop for pictures. Also several hiking trails if that is what you are looking for. Best time is in the morning. Afternoons get busy with cars. If it rains it can be muddy.

Highly recommend visiting the Waimea Canyon! It's gourgeos and so diverse. I've been in a few other canyons before and Waimea is definitely worth your visit. Make sure you drive until the last lookout (Puu o kila Lookout) for beautiful views of the Napali Coast. If you have time, explore some of the trailheads too!

Eager to discover this famous natural and unusual topography and its colors, we chose a sunny day. We spent a week on Kaui and it was a very interesting road trip to meet Waimea, reddish water in Hawaiian. Expect winding roads, take medication before the trip, if you have motion sickness. Keep in mind there are plenty of scenic spots to stop along the way. Known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", Waimea Canyon State Park is a wonderful place to marvel at the supreme power of nature.
Many trails challenge you to try them. Entrance and parking fees are required. Parking fees are $10 per vehicle and $5 per person. You only pay once, the payment boxes are located at several lookouts from the car parks. The Canyon itself is not as deep as the Grand Canyon, but gorgeous. It should be a bucket list item for outdoor enthusiasts. Practice Malama Aina (“respect and care for the land” – one of the most important pillars of Hawaiian culture) while marveling at this amazing work of nature art.

We were staying in Princeville for a week, and we knew that we wanted to check out Waimea Canyon. It was about an hour and a half away from our rental. As we drove from the north part of the island down along the eastern coast and then along the south toward the Canyon, we passed through the quaint towns of Hanapepe and Waimea, and then arrived at the entrance to the park. As you drive up toward the main lookout areas, the winding road has multiple turnouts to catch some very cool views. The first main lookout area also has trails that lead up toward the summit. You are required to pay--by kiosk--$10 a car and $5 a person, and there were two attendants nearby to instruct you. There is a beautiful lookout area a short walk from the parking lot. After that, further on, is another lookout area that gives you another spectacular view of the Na Pali Coast and the ocean. There are bathrooms in both lookout areas, adequate but I wouldn't say wonderfu, as some reviewers have described. We are seniors, and it was too hot and humid for us to attempt any serious hiking, but we think the Waimea Canyon State Park is worth a visit.

Stunning canyon! My family of four loved the hike to the falls and enjoyed the beautiful canyon views along the way. Highly recommend visiting!

I’m handicapped so came with a friend who’d never seen it….I waited in the parking lot… they insisted on charging us both plus the car fee of $10 so we had to pay $5 each…. Absolutely unfair… I should not have to pay…$20 total…

The road to Waimea Canyon has lots of twists and turns, so be ready for a slower drive. The view of the canyon is beautiful. The restrooms could use some attention, but they were available. There are a lot of trails on the road to the canyon, and can be difficult to locate without doing a little research beforehand. We decided on the short Iliau Nature Loop. It was pretty rough and not well marked, but it was fun. Be sure to drive all the way up the road for the best views.

If you are a landscape/scenery person this drive is your you. It's definitely the grand canyon of the Pacific. The waterfall was just gorgeous. So many stops and pull offs for you to enjoy every angle of the canyon. Definitely a must see while in Kauai.

It is beautiful, the weather in February is not the most ideal for me, it was windy and rainy compared to last time in Dec. i won’t be going in February again.

If you like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, you'll like this too! The views are spectacular. When we visited there was a native dressed in native clothing at the Lookout giving the history of the area and native culture that was very informative. He is at the first lookout on Thursdays.

An amazing sight to behold! Go early, go to last lookout first and work your way back down the canyon. We used the Shaka app. Stop at Koke’e Lodge on way back down - we had a delicious breakfast there.

My wife and I recently had the opportunity to view Waimea Canyon and very much enjoyed the opportunity. Entrance to the park (which also includes Koke’e State Park) was $10 for parking and $5 per person. We stopped at a number of overlooks and looked at the park from a number of different locations. We also got a very early start, which was good because it got very crowded later in the day. The canyon was beautiful and “changed appearance” as the light changed. Definitely recommended.

So glad someone suggested we visit this park they called it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The colors are just stunning. As you drive into the park you will also pass the SteamVents. There is plenty to do here and if you like to hike or are up to exploring there are plenty of things to see. We were limited on our walking and did not venture on those routes. If you are not very mobile but can walk or are assisted by a cane you can still access this site.

Well worth the visit went twice during our stay. Stopping at many pull outs. Amazing to watch the landscape change with the sun movement. and different locations.

Single & double rainbows in abundance. A beautiful view. Remember to map out the Red Dirt Falls, and give them a quick stop on your way up or down.

It cost me $80 in fees to visit Waimea Canyon with my family group of 12. The canyon views are incredible in bright sunshine....but lighting during our visit was less than ideal. You pay ridiculous fees and take a huge risk on quality of the views. Worse yet, the upper sections on the road to Kalalau lookout are studded with large and deep potholes which could easily damage vehicle suspensions. TheState of Hawaii should be totally embarrassed by the lack of maintenance provided for the outrageous prices charged. I've been coming here for over 25 years - this latest visit will be my last!

Beautiful, stunning, awesome, and a great day. Plenty to see and do. Is the windy twisty roads were a lot of fun. The only downside was the high elevation, but that's only for a short time during the day.

Bring your camera and be ready for some great photo opportunities trails and hiking. There are several stops along the way to the Na Pali State Park. The views are dramatically different (arid) than the windward side that receives much more precipitation. Nevertheless the views, waterfalls and experience is breathtaking. Could spend multiple days taking in the views and doing some hiking.

The waterfall was a little disappointing… We came in late August and the waterfall was all dry except for a small pond. Also, the waterfall was contaminated so you couldn’t swim in it. The scenery was beautiful on the way up and down the mountain though. There are golf carts on the way up but they don’t stop by at interesting places and some of the people that drive the carts are a little reckless for really young children and the elderly and the walk can last up to over an hour if you have elderly with you. If we did come in the spring or whatnot, it was old have been less disappointing but that wouldn’t change the fact that there are reckless drivers and a long hike up and down the mountain. If you do come in the winter or spring or fall, then it would be more fun but it wasn’t the greatest. Don’t go in August or September!!🌴🌴

This was an all day trip for us in our rental car. Views are spectacular. Be careful, roads are full of potholes and people park randomly on the side of the road for the views. Go to the end to see the Nepali Coast hillside made famous in Jurassic Park.

This is a gorgeous park with amazing views. Quiet and colorful with pretty waterfall in the distance. A green Grand Canyon!

Long drive from the bottom of the canyon to the top. Lots of places to pull over and check out the many roadside lookups. By the time you got to the top, you had to pay for parking and for entrance to the top Lookout. One price for parking and per person, but it's for several Lookout points. We did not pay as we just turned around and hit the other free Lookout on the way down.

This really looks like Grand Canyon
Easy to visit, you just drive to different lookouts
There’s bathrooms
We couldn’t get to last one cause the road was with big holes and we were in a minivan
Totally recommend

Every viewpoint in Waimea Canyon State Park is absolutely stunning! We drove up the mountain, stopping along the way to soak in the breathtaking views of the canyon. After our hike, we began our drive back down just as the sun was setting, and those golden-hour views were even more spectacular-an unforgettable experience! If you're visiting Kauai, this park is a must for anyone who loves scenic drives and epic landscapes.

Elena provided a wonderful tour of the island in a great vehicle showing us all the available spots that we could get to. and giving us plenty of time to see each site. She was very helpful in providing information during the trip about the history and the spots. We had lunch at Chicken in the Barrel which was great. We were picked up and dropped off at our resort which was great.

This and the Nepali Coast are the stars of the show on Kauai. There are lots of places to pull off the road and take in the view, plus hikes for every skill level from toddlers to professionals. Do reserve an entire day and get started early to beat the crowds. If you're hiking just plan on the trails being muddy. It rains some most days, and that famous red dirt turns into some of the slickest mud in the world. You can do some of the walks in flip flops, but if you're planning to do anything beyond the roadside viewpoints, take good shoes at least. We just did a little bit of real hiking and we wished we'd brought our poles.

The views are easily worth the price. Go slow and enjoy!

This place is amazing. On Thursday there is a native their in traditional garb. Very interesting. This place was one of the highlights of the trip

We got a sunny day and the views for the overlooks were terrific. (On our last visit we had ot abandon the drive partway up due to clouds and fog) It was a Saturday and pretty crowded, but we founds paces at each overlook, and even some pullouts, and there was plenty of room once you walked over to the viewing areas. there is a $10 parking fee and $5 per person entry, but it all seems a bit unclear, each place has it, but paying once seems to work for all. Hawaiian residents get in free. It might be better to try to get there earlier, we were at abut noon to 2PM and the high sun tended to wash out come of the contrast, but still the multicolored walls were clear.

The canyon is beautiful. The road up is windy but easy to drive and the views were incredible. We also did the Waipo'o Falls hike - park just past the 13.5 mile lookout or drive down to the trailhead if you have a 4 wheel drive. 4 miles hiking (roundtrip) with both uphill and downhill sections. The views of the canyon on the hike were breathtaking.

Not a short drive, but well worth it. It was absolutely breathtaking. When on the road, just keep driving and you will finally come to a lookout area to park. It was kind of confusing when driving up, there was a sign at a side road that made it seem you should turn there, but we kept going straight and eventually found dead ended at the parking area. It was $10/car to park and then $5/person too.

No words - the view and nature is just WOW WOW WOW!!! Tip: drive to the last viewpoint - a reward for the eyes. ;-)

During our time on Kauai, we did a sunset Na Pali coast dinner cruise earlier in the week, which was amazing. This was almost as good, as you're seeing parts of the coast from the other side, the land side. But what really caps this off is seeing the other side of the mountain ridge you're driving up....the canyon side. We did an audio tour, which was great. There are plenty of stops along the way up the mountain, to stop and take it in. We went on a Saturday, and each of the state park parking lots were pretty full, but we were always able to find a spot. It's absolutely worth the couple hours it takes to drive all the way to the end of the mountain road. But drive careful. There are maybe 3 or 4 stretches of the road up towards the top, that are unbelievably BAD. I've never seen potholes so large on a road that was still in use. And when you come up to them, they're everywhere, on both sides of the road. It's like a maze trying to figure out the right path to take to keep your car out of the holes. They aren't potholes....they're pot canyons!

So many scenic views. Views of waterfalls and canyon rim if you can handle some hard hiking with steep tree and rock laden inclines, wet rock areas. Even just doing the driving part is definitely worth the excursion. Just make sure you stop by the Kauai coffee plantation before you head up the canyon.

We drove through Waimea Canyon State Park and the views were beautiful. If you did nothing other than park and walk up to lookout view at the main parking lot, it's worth seeing. Not too hard of a drive either. They have bathrooms available at the main parking lot also. There is a small fee per person ($5 I think), which can be charged at the machines there.

Omg 😳 “ the Grand Canyon of Kauai” it was magical words can’t describe how beautiful and blessed 😇 we are to have seen this 😇❤️❤️

Such a beautiful area - we went on our last day and squeezed it in so could’ve have used more time but did the Canyon Trail, which was about 3.6 miles with some good up/downhill but not bad at all (if you’re in shape!)

Wow this was everything we wanted and so much more. We didn’t know a lot coming knit the park but one of the employees at the canyon lookout explained everything very well. The first lookout (the canyon lookout) has amazing views of the canyon. There is a pay station there where it costs $10 to park and $5 per person. This is good for all of the Waimea state park lookouts (I believe there’s 3 more) and parking for trails for the entire day. We spent about 10 minutes at the canyon lookout and then continued to drive. There are several side of the road, unofficial lookouts that give you a better lookout of the waterfall that appears on the left side of the main official canyon lookout. There’s only room for a handful or cars but it’s worth it to stop. The second lookout has 2 views. One is straight down the canyon looking towards the ocean. The other is a nice spot with another area where you can see Ni’ihue (the forbidden isle). That sign is a little run down but an easy quick stop. They’re both very easy to get to from the parking lot. The third stop is the first view of the Napali coast. There’s 2 lookouts here as well. One in the grass and one with a paved path. It’s absolutely spectacular. If you can’t do a boat or helicopter ride than this is the best it’s gonna be for those of us who don’t hike 10 miles. The last lookout has several potholes getting there due to the rain and weather. The clouds can roll in over the ridges here depending on the day. This lookout is even better than the third! If you walk down the trail about 100 yards (often muddy) it’s an even better, unobstructed view. Just be careful since this is the trail and there are no railings. The walk down is quite bumpy and hilly so not accessible for those in wheelchairs. I’d say the first and third lookouts are the most accessible. Second and fourth have some uphills and off roading instead of a paved path. This is well worth the money and we could’ve spent the whole day here!

Great views but definitely go earlier in the day. We arrived at the first lookout about 10 am and it had already clouded over. We drove back down to the Iliau nature walk and got a sunbreak. Visibility is so much better with even partial sun. We drove down from princeville which is about 2 hours, so a long trip but we felt it was worthwhile.

I stayed on Kauai for five nights because I wanted to see the top of Waialeale. I took a Cessna tour on the clearest day. It was the perfect timing with not a single cloud in the sky above Waimea Canyon, but unfortunately I was unable to see the entire view of Waialeale. I drove around Waimea Canyon the day before, and was able to look down from the sky at a canyon several times larger than the view I saw then, with numerous cascading waterfalls.
When the fog is thick on the high mountains to the north, you really can't see anything. But five minutes later the clouds clear and you can see only the area around 100 meters clearly, which is a mysterious place.

We had an amazing time in Kauai, and my personal favorite was Waimea Canyon. You can’t understate how beautiful the views were here. We went to the lookout and pay the $10-$20 required to see it, and then chose one of the hikes to do and see the inside view of the canyon. It is simply stunning! Can’t recommend highly enough.

Stunning scenery, even in the rain. The other reviews were correct, if you are in the clouds without a view, drive on up for awhile and then try again. We had stunning views on the second try at the two major viewpoints. We took a short hike for some more views- be careful as it is very slippery when wet. So glad we took the time to see this!

FYI: Main canyon lookout was closed during our visit. However, there are some pull-offs and another lookout so you can see the canyon which is indeed beautiul. We went to see the canyon, and I'm glad we did. The other parts of the park are fine. The drive upward is a little winding.

We stopped into the Grand Canyon of Hawaii to do the canyon trail to waipu falls. The trail was well marked and well groomed and offered some incredible views that you’d see of Jurassic park (literally).

The road is well kept and about hour drive to get to the summit from bottom.

If you’re a hiker I’d highly suggest doing some of the trails and if not there are some sight seeing points and picnic areas on the way

Since we were staying near Hanalei Bay, it was quite a drive to see this attraction... it was definitely worth the time. The weather was perfect and the views were breathtaking. We had seen the Na Pali coast the day before, so this just added to our appreciation of this part of Kauai. Don't be in a hurry... take your time and enjoy every moment. You will have to pay once for parking/access but that was easy. I took highway 550 up to the turnaround and back down until I could take highway 552.

Beautiful views and lots of overlooks. Great hiking trails for all abilities. Bring lots of water. We found one water fountain, near a picnic area but unfortunately could not fill bottles, water spurts straight out. This is one place mot to be missed, you will not be disappointed.

Waimea Canyon is beautiful with multiple panoramic overlooks and has good hiking. If you hike the Canyon trail (from Puu Hinahina lookout) you even get nice swim with a small waterfall. Waimea Canyon, along with Kokee State Park and the awesome Kalalau and Puu o Kila overlooks a little further up the road, is one of the highlights of any trip to Kauai.

Stunning! A must see in Kauai! We hiked the canyon to waipoo falls and it was amazing! Perfect 3.5 miles and the view at the end was stunning!!

This is a “must do” if you are visiting Kauai! The drive out is beautiful! The views are gorgeous! There are so many hiking opportunities! Be sure to go to the Kokee overlook and hike out for a bit. You will see amazing views of the Napali Coast! Be sure to stop at the visitor center on your way back.

Spectacular and majestic in its own right! Took the Canyon Trail to the falls and were first people on it - which was a smart move. This is a popular trail so it gets busy in a hurry. And, as it gets busier, a somewhat muddy trail gets muddier (especially when it started to rain a bit on our return)! It can be a bit strenuous at times, but these 60ish-year olds endured harsher (try the Kalalau to the waterfall!). Even had.a rooster adopt us for about a mile on the trail (named him Wilson). Every step was worth it! Highly recommend!

This park is beautiful with so many amazing walks and viewpoints, I wish I had more time there to do more walks! Much better on a sunny day to see all the views. I would recommend the Pihea Vista walk, a stop along the way driving there!

Bring thermals and lots of water, it is drastically colder because of the elevation! And check the website before going for any road closures or weather warnings!

It is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for good reason. You can enjoy this park by taking the scenic drive and stopping at the scenic outlooks and/or by doing one of the many hikes.

A truly beautiful drive and great lookouts. Expect to spend quite a bit of time. There is a small lodge, museum and picnic area after the second lookout. We did the Canyon and Cliff hike starting at the 2nd lookout parking lookout and enjoyed our picnic lunch later at the lodge.

This is a must-do when on the island.

Hint: I loaded the GypsyGuide app. to my cell. It has a number of driving tours and one specific to Kauai. We found it really interesting and helpful to have it on when were were driving -- gives all kinds of information. Tracks where you are - no data or internet required. Worth the US$12 or so cost.

Beautiful drive with lots of hiking trails. It's a long slow drive up a narrow winding road with lots of traffic but well worth it. The views from the lookouts are breathtaking.
I would recommend continuing to the end of the road at Kokee State park and hiking the trail that begins there. The hike is a bit treacherous with lots of mud and slippery stones but the payoff for your troubles are the views. The only other way to see those gorgeous views is by taking a $400 helicopter ride.

My wife and I took the excursion to Waimea Canyon during our Hawaii cruise. It was a bit of an overcast day, but the view was breathtaking. They call it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. I've been to the Grand Canyon in Arizona and it is amazing, but Waimea Canyon beats it hands down for beauty. It was well worth the trip up the twisty mountain road, and the quaint little villages we passed on the way gave us a nice glimpse of real Hawaiian living.

This is a fantastic place to drive up and hike. Beautiful views and waterfalls. Road gets a little bumpy in places but definitely worth it.

It might feel like you’ll never reach the park, but it’s worth the drive! There are lookout points along the way, feel free to stop but keep going for the views at the state park! The entrance fee was $10 for the vehicle we were in and $5 for each person. The kiosk only takes cards, and there was a ranger or other employee sitting in front of it. (Tip from a helpful traveler: because you need to enter your car’s tag number, if you have a rental the tag number is usually on the keychain.)

There are stairs and a ramp for access, and there are several different spots to get some BEAUTIFUL views and maybe some amazing photographs! I was really glad we went!

This is Mother Nature at her best and testing us humans. The road is ridiculously curvy with potholes all over it so take your time. You will go past this bizarre clay area with a small waterfall, but do this on the way down as it can be really muddy so best to do at end of the trip. The first main stop is the Waimea Canyon Lookout. It costs $10 a car and $5 per person and it means you can park in the other car parks. People come and go all the time so if full just wait and one will be free. If you are not doing a hike, casual shoes are ok. Do check the weather as cloud cover can come in so you may miss seeing the canyon, we saw all except the Kalalau lookout which was full cloud. It really is a must do when coming to Kauri.

If you're traveling to Kauai, a hike in Waimea Canyon is a must!
We did the Canyon and Cliff Trail. It's also easy for beginners and families. The Waipo Falls are nothing special though. If you like it tough, I would recommend the Kuki Trail. It's very challenging and you should definitely do it with poles. It's 2.5 miles down to the river. The trail is in the sun a lot, so make sure you bring lots of water as there's no place to refill water.
You can also drive to the various lookouts for those who aren't good at walking. It costs $10 per car plus $5 per person.
The views and landscapes are simply breathtaking.

We were disappointed here, not because of the beauty, which it definitely was but that we followed the rules on where to park & had to pay $10 to park & $5 per person before we left the parking lot. The viewing area was not all that & the view from there wasn't that good. We wanted to do an easy hike but the maps posted didn't say which was which. The bathrooms were closed & none were nearby. We found the lodge for restrooms then went to another lookout which was much better & had beautiful views of the canyons. We also had much better views just pulling off the side of the road on our way back.

Spent first morning of Kauai vacation exploring breathtaking Waimea Canyon. Many trails along highway to explore. Be sure to make it to Lookout Point, where local gave great history lesson of the area and Hawaii.

Horrible winding narrow road, pavement breaking up bad, restroom was old and run down, no soap or paper towels, better go pee in the woods, much cleaner. Canyon was pretty but not worth it in my opinion, the whole park is in need of an overhaul. What’s Hawaii doing with all the tax money they get fleecing tourists? Take your Dramamine and your own paper towels, I gave one star because that’s as low as it goes, don’t waste your time or money on this.

We really enjoyed seeing the Waimea Canyon. The colors are spectacular! We had packed a picnic lunch but, there was only one spot where you could pull off. A small park with all parking spots full. We lucked out as one car pulled out. We ate in the car though, as the few tables were occupied. For those who have back pain, as we both do, or other mobility issues, I took my walking poles and they worked just fine to climb up to the viewing areas.

Fabulous views! Enjoyed adventures in the park- the drive was fun with super twists in the road! We went all the way to the end of the road - other side of the island - spectacular views of the ocean and the lush valleys

Wonderful views with plenty of places to pull over and look off. A clean restroom at the top with picnic area.

We got lucky. The weather was outstanding! The views, absolutely spectacular! They call it the Grand Canyon of Hawaii for good reason.

Coloured earth, deep gorges and waterfalls characterise this valley. The lookouts are easily accessible by car, but there are also countless hiking trails of varying lengths. Difficult to walk in places.

We drove up the 13 miles "road course" to the top of the Waimea Canyon. The view is spectacular. But, I wouldn't drive that road again. There wasn't a straight stretch. It was a constant twist and turn, slow moving drive. Then you had to repeat the constantly braking drive down from the canyon.

Grand Canyon of Hawaii indeed!!!
The scenic drive through Waimea canyon has multiple breathtaking overlooks to stop at & soak in the wonder of nature! The road zig zags a lot as you drive up the incline, I wished I had taken some Dramamine as the passenger. We only had time to stop at the overlooks as we were on our way to hike the Awa’awa puhi trail in the adjacent Koke’e State Park. The scenic drive through Waimea continues on as the main route through Koke’e park with a nice, small visitor center (bathrooms, gift & convenience store) where the road connects the two parks. If you make your way to Kauai these parks are a MUST SEE!!!

Heads up, the lookout costs $10 per a vehicle plus $5 per a person to walk up a set of stairs…. But you can hike for free along the road.

No trip to Kauai is complete without seeing the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The views from the lookout are simply incredible and well worth the trip. But make sure you have an experienced driver since the road to reach the lookout is quite curvy with crests and switchbacks. Whatever you do, don't miss it, but drive safely.

Part of Da Westshore Tour
Many access points for views
Geological history of Kauai
Spot the falls from an access poing

Amazing views of the Napali Coast from the top and of the actual Waimea Canyon at several view points along the way up or down. I arrived at 7:30 and it was foggy and cold. But as others have said, be patient and the fog will clear enough to see the major highlights.

I had read in prior reviews that you must arrive super early or all the spots will be taken. I did not find this to be true. When I arrived at 7:30, later than I had intended, there was only one other car in the lot. I hung around until after 9, waiting for the fog to clear and the lot was not even close to half full. There are probably about 50 spots, not just a few spots.

I was a bit worried that I forgot to grab cash, as I’ve been to some parks that only accept cash stuffed into a lock box. In fact, here you pay the permit at a credit card kiosk at the parking lot, and leave the permit slip on the dash.

Another thing I wish I had known is that it gets pretty cold and windy up at the top. I made the mistake of only bringing a thin spring jacket when I really should have brought a thicker fall/winter jacket. Had I dressed more appropriately, I would have spent more time torwards the top and hiked a bit more.

This was a phenomenal lookout point! The cost was a bit high, $10 plus $5 for each person in your vehicle. It’s still a great lookout point and you can see the canyon from a great vantage point! The drive up the canyon road probably isn’t for everyone, but it’s so worth it! Look for mile marker 10!

We loved our visit to Waimea Canyon. The views are wonderful. $20 for parking is such a small amount to pay which contributes to the betterment of the park. I don't understand why people complain about a small parking fee. It was 85 degrees when we visited but there was a small breeze which cooled us a bit. It is truly one of the best activities on Kauai.

The colors and the sheer size of this canyon is definitely worth the drive and visit. Pictures just don't to it justice.

We arrived 8am fully equipped with plenty of water and walking boots, sunscreen. Parked up, had to pay card only accepted. View points amazing. After reading poster about the trails we decided to do the 1.8mile Waimea Canyon Trail which was 'Moderate'.
I was disappointed because I spent most of the walk looking at the ground negotiating tree roots. Mind you there was nothing to see until you got to the viewing point, but you need not walk the Trail to see a decent viewing area they are available from the car park.
When we got to the end of the trail there was a small waterfall, I had been expecting more. We sat for a peaceful 5 minutes and then the small area became very crowded with no where for people to rest before beginning the climb back up.
The small area was soon full of kids wanting to swim. My advice , go very early to avoid the heat and crowds take plenty of fluids. There may be more interesting trails to do.
Time took 3.5 hrs.

I thought we'd go inside, but in the end, it's just to take in the view from outside. Anyway, very nice pictures. And there's this guy who tells a lot of good things about Hawai'i and Polynesian culture and its legends. Not to be missed, of course.

There are so many amazing hikes here. I did the Kalulua View and the Nu'alolo Trail to Awa'awapuhi Trail. Feels like youre in Jurrasic Park and there are so many beautiful tropicbirds floating below you in the valleys. Breathtaking hikes (though quite muddy in the winter)

This was such a beautiful drive with some amazing views to be had. A few things we found would be good to keep in mind. We took the advice of others and went early in the day. I can see that things get pretty busy the later in the day it gets. Some of the pull outs are fairly small so if it is crowded that may be a bit of a challenge. The other thing we didn't realize is that the hiking trails can be a bit of a challenge to actually find. They didn't seem to be marked very well and we didn't really see any road signs pointing them out. So, even though we had planned to do some hiking we really didn't because we couldn't figure out where to go. So, if you want to hike something specific you might want to get a GPS point on trailhead before you go. That being said, we did really enjoy seeing this area of Kauai and I would put it at the top of my list of things we did on this trip. There were more restrooms than I had expected so that was a plus. There is a fee, I believe at this time it is $10 per car and $5 per person. This covers both the Waimea Canyon and the Koke'e State Park (if you keep going up the road you go from Waimea to Koke'e).

Dramatic, breathtaking views. Similar to the Grand Canyon (not as long, of course) but about as deep and much greener. Don't just stop at the spectacular Waimea Canyon Overlook, fantastic though it is. Drive all the way to the end at Koke'e State Park and the two spectacular overlooks at the very end, where you can view the Kalalau Valley and the ocean. The natural history museum in Koke'e is also worthwhile. You can learn about the geology of the place and the flora/fauna.

Very beautiful drive up to the canyon with many beautiful lookouts and once inside the grounds of the state park it just became more amazing. The views from inside are absolutely amazing and a picture doesn't do it justice

6:26
I spent much of the day here stopping at all of the lookout points, and none were
disappointing! The last one at the top (Kalalau) is breathtaking with an excellent view of the Na Pali coast. The entrance fee of $10 +5 dollars per person in the car is worth it. The first look out point where you could see the whole canyon was great but the Port-a potty's were disgusting so I continued down the road a few miles to the next one ( Pu u hinahina) which were very nice and clean. Some of the lookout points even had local farmers selling fresh pineapple and papaya! There are picnic areas if you bring your own lunch. Be sure to gas up the car and bring drinking water especially if you plan to hike. The cell coverage disappeared pretty quickly which is why you see old fashioned - phones at the look out points. I would suggest getting there early because the sun it really intense.

One of the most beautiful site....nature has created, and the most magnificent my eyes has ever beheld, photos doesn't do this beauty justice, it's a place you need to see with your own eyes, from the lush green mixed in with the oxidized soil, this canyon site is a must visit, there's also a waterfall...don't miss it!

If visiting Kauai this geological spectacular is a must see. As we first drove up the route we were not overly impressed….. keep driving as the scenery changes as the depths of the canyon open up! There are several spots to pull over and admire the splendour ** DONT PAY ** to use the parks vantage points (US$40 per car and couple) as further along the road you will see the same sight for free!!

The best time of the day is the afternoon as the sun shines on the opposite cliffs lighting them up. There are also good views of Jurassic waterfalls on the way.

Big Al’s top tips: this is a good afternoon’s trip after you have visited Spouting Horn. Don’t pay for the Parks vantage points as you will see much the same from the road. Dont pay for tours as you can do this with your hire car and the roads are good! Follow me for travel tips around the world

Amazing views! Best part of our trip so far! The drive up the mountain was well worth it! Waterfalls, rainbows, the colors…it was spectacular

This is definitely worth seeing. The views from the lookouts are great! However, I would recommend taking a helicopter tour if you can afford it. I feel you would get a much better view of the entire canyon.

We only hiked a short ways on the Pihea trail at the very end & we got a great view of a valley on the Napoli coast. We ate lunch at the lodge. There is also a very small museum next to the lodge with an amazing shell collection. If you do not hike, it should only take 1/2 day to see. If you plan to hike, come early & plan on being there a full day. Also, if you hike, plan on rain showers on & off.

NOTE:
We saw a family with small children in flip-flops with towels around their neck asking how to get to the waterfall. Even though we did not hike down to the waterfall, we could see that the hike is not for small children in flip-flops. The waterfall was also a long ways away & a long way down. I would not recommend it for small children & I would recommend good hiking shoes & lots of water to drink if you hike

couldn't see anything from the rim but got the full experience in the helicopter. Would love to see from the ground sometime

The view is outstanding! Waterfalls in the distance, the green and contrast with the red soil makes a beautiful and peaceful site. This is a must see!

Waimea canyon is a not to be missed place if you are ever on the island of Kauai. The canyon is beautiful. Go early to get a parking spot, take water. It cost 10 per car and 5$ per person to enter the park.

No matter where you take photos, you get a good view but I will admit, the lookout for me was the best place.

The views were absolutely amazing, I was astounded by the varying colours.

I would definitely recommend a visit.

The Waimea Canyon was spectacular! They call it the ‘Grand Canyon’ of the Pacific and it did not disappoint. The lookout points along the way were beautiful. The road was closed for the last lookout and it was a mile hike one way to get to so keep that in mind. In my view the first lookout was the best. Take your time and enjoy the sights.

We visited Wamilea State Park on our last day. What an amazing place. Thankfully, the sky this day was clear. No clouds.
We have never been to the Grand Canyon so we cannot compare. But this place is gorgeous! Stop whenever you can and see cars pulled off the side of the road. There are many viewing spots along the way.
Stop at MCS in Hanapepe on your way back. Their coconut shrimp and bbq pork are delicious!

We rented a car for our week stay in Kauai and got up really early and made our way up to the lookout spot . When you arrive you will pay $10 plus $5 per person to enter the viewing area. The views are breathtaking on a clear day. Endless mountains and valleys with natures sounds of the indigenous birds. Once you have checked this out , I would suggest driving back down for a couple of minutes and pull over and trek one of the trails . This is actually more fulfilling as you can have time to absorb the nature and really get the full experience. Stunning place !!

We were staying almost as far away on Kauai as you can get road-wise from Waimea canyon. It was totally worth it. The views are spectacular.

We took our time driving up, stopping at all turnouts and viewpoints. The colors and canyon structure were amazing. A must see while staying in Kauai.

The views are great! We stopped at the lookout points, and walked the “Nature Loop” because we are not avid hikers and it was awesome! They have varying levels of difficulty in the hiking trails, we did the small walk around with families of small kids and it was still cool. Highly recommend!

This is a must see spot on the island but it is definitely a long haul so I would recommend dedicating an entire day. The drive from the Princeville area on the north to the first lookout is a good 2 hours in light traffic.

We found the signing to be sparse at best so follow your phone directions until you see the sign to the first lookout on the right hand side. There won't be any official park entrance or check point. Along the way you will find turnouts with cars parked and people trying to get a view into the canyon. Don't bother. The lookouts will get you views 10x better. It's also not safe.

Once you park at the first lookout you will find two pay station kiosks where you will pay for parking and the number of visitors in your party. Yes, totally on the honor system. Once you get your ticket for your dash, that same ticket will be good for all the lookouts.

The day we visited there was road construction and one-way traffic control so we ran out of time and never made it past the second lookout. We were told there were a total of five lookouts and a restaurant at the top.

The views were absolutely amazing and on par with what you would see at the Grand Canyon. Well worth the drive!

We parked at the official parking lot of the National Park and our car was broken into. They stole our bags and everything we had. We called security and they didn't really care. They did literally nothing. They said that this happens very often. However, there are is no camera in this area. We called the police and they were nice. They also explained to us that this is a high crime area.

What a great beautiful view of the grand canyon of the northwest! All ages would love this. Look out spot just breath taking. Love it!

Amazing views and a small uphill walk to experience the beautiful landscape. Great photo opportunities here.

I’m sure the colors would have been better had it not been very cloudy and rainy the day we went. (A friend told me that from the air - they were.) Some signs (or something) telling about the geology, etc., would have been appreciated.

Hiked the canyon trail, and the waterfall was beautiful. The hike one way is 1.8 miles and not to difficult.

The views are unbelievable and totally worth the drive. Rent a car and get going!!! Definitely drive to the waterfalls!! We didn't make it and wish we would have.

very nice, I recommend getting there early in the morning because often in the early afternoon it rains ..
You pay at the first lockout directly at the machine which is also the most scenic.
Council to continue and descend along the path that goes down to the falls .. is a bit 'challenging but with hiking shoes you walk well

We stopped at mile marker 3 to snap a photo with the dirt red soil with the unexpected small waterfall on the left side. There is a pull off just ahead on the right and you can park and walk. Then we went to the Waimea canyon lookout at mile marker 10. Gorgeous view with minimal effort. Anyone can and should do this. Just along the drive are pull outs and scenic view points including the end of the road kalalau viewpoint. But you also can do some hikes. We chose to do the pu’upu hinahina trail which was very challenging as it was steep and muddy. We ended at the Cliff trail which had a beautiful view of the canyon but I would recommend doing just this from the roadside entrance at mile marker 14 as it’s only 0.1 miles and not muddy. This advice depends on how rainy it’s been.

We just returned from Waimea Canyon State Park. My family and I were there in July 2018 and it very wet and rainy!! I remember being amazed by how gorgeous it was. We saw amazing waterfalls!!! Now going back, it's dry not raining - a lot of turn offs were roped off (not construction), books state there is a few but only for the look outs that are open. Why don't they charge to drive through. We decided not to get out. Though the bathrooms were delightful and clean. Bring hand sanitizer -no sinks. We live in Colorado and can see canyons for free. Just disappointed the second time around 🫤

If you're on holiday on Kauai, Waimea Canyon is one of the things you absolutely have to experience!

From various viewpoints you have impressive views of the canyon and some of the waterfalls.

You can drive to most of the viewpoints by car. At the first parking lot you have to register your license plate and pay a fee of $10, plus $5 per passenger. The fee is intended to maintain the preservation of the national park.

There are various hiking trails along the canyon with different levels of difficulty, so everyone can get their money's worth.

We explored all of the points by car and explored a hiking route.

You should definitely plan time if you want to see everything. We were in the national park for about 5-6 hours plus the journey to and from the hotel.

In conclusion, we can only recommend it to every Kauai holidaymaker!

Very nice place to visit if your up for a drive, long narrow winding roads make it a adventure. Be prepared to pay a parking and entrance fee if your not a local, they do milk you for every dime on the islands. The views are outstanding from every direction, it is really a must see if you visit.

I read on a review to GO ON A CLEAR DAY. That's exactly what we did. We got up there around 10 a.m. on a sunny, gorgeous day. By the time we left, clouds were engulfing the area. Like everyone else described, this is not to be missed while visiting this island.

They had state workers making sure you paid a fee at one of the stops, which we thought was fair. The rest of the stops they expected you to pay the same amount, although there was no state worker collecting a fee; they had an "honor" system where you drop money in a box. Really don't mind paying at the one stop, but certainly not all the stops. We even got a slip on our windshield on one of the stops that had the "honor" system with our license plate on it telling us to go online to pay the fee. No one ever went after us, though. I think it was a scare tactic to get you to pay.

We took a scenic drive to lookouts of the canyon and parked to do a couple short hikes. Amazing views!! We ate at the restaurant at the top - Koke’e Lounge - it was delicious! Such an amazing day!

The views were amazing. Definitely a must see when in Kauai. We went early morning and started at the top and made our way down. The appearance of the views seemed to change with the changing weather. Definitely cooler than expected do bring a jacket. We ate breakfast at the lodge which was delicious. We paid once for car parking and it was good for all the lookouts throughout the park.

Definitely worth the windy drive. An unexpected sight on a tropical island. Be prepared to share space with others. Go to the end of the road and enjoy the ocean view. Great contrast to canyon.

Seeing Waimea Canyon was the primary reason we came to Kauai. Because we came to Kauai during the winter, the weather was a bit tricky. When we arrived at the first lookout, there was rain, which cleared but the clouds were heavy in the valley and we couldn’t see ANYTHING. Since we didn’t have anywhere we needed to be, we hung out for awhile and the clouds did thin a little and we were able to see some of the valley. We then drove to the 2nd lookout and it was more clear. We made our way to 3rd lookout to see the Na Pali coast. This location was completely socked in by clouds. Do not lose hope, on our drive back down to the first canyon we stopped at a pull off and were able to see the canyon and had a clear view of one tier of Waipo’o Falls. The biggest advice I would give is to not be in a rush, especially if you’re visiting in the winter.

Going there after 20 years - it was a rainy morning but in the afternoon we could get a nice glimpse of the canyon and the surrounding terrain. I recall we had hiked to a waterfall but did not venture to do so this time. Beautiful colors in the canyon. Must see place in Kauai.

It's an easy drive up the canyon to beautiful views. Going in the morning is the best to avoid afternoon clouds that settle in and block the view. The drive and getting out at the overlooks can easily done in a few hours.

The winding mountain road brings you to gorgeous view points of the canyon but be sure to follow it all the way to the end to see an awe inspiring view of the beautiful water and peaks of the Na Pali coast. We stopped for a very tasty lunch, coffee, and a cocktail at The Lodge on our way up, too.

What a fantastic day to spent viewing natures beauty. Decided to spent the day visiting the often talked about 2nd grand canyon. Waimea Canyon is a breathe taking natural beauty and very different canyon since everything is very green due to the hi rainfalls in this area of Kauai. One of the highest rain accumulation areas in the USA.
Drive up mountain ridge was safe but you need to follow speed limit signs. Stopped at first overlook , paid fee to park car and view all of the parks overlooks of which there wee many. bring you tel or camera for pics.

Nice views. Don’t schedule this trip wait till you’re in Hawaii and go when the sky is clear. Clouds and haze block a lot of the landscape

Amazing views all along the roadway. We unfortunately missed the museum as it was closed when we started back down. Definitely follow the road til it ends, stopping as often as you can as there is SO much to see!

This is definitely worth the drive especially on a sunny day. The canyon is absolutely breathtaking. Make sure to drive all the way to the top. We didn’t do any hikes but I would if we ever go back.

Amazing trip. One of the beautiful hikes I did. Bring a lot of water and some snacks. And the end of the road there is a very good place for lunch.

Check the weather forecast before you go as otherwise you might see nothing than clouds. We’ve been there on a sunny day and the views from above are absolutely stunning! Go early to have beautiful light and less people.

I can honestly say that the views when you arrive at the Waimea Canyon Lookout are AMAZING! The drive up may be a feat for those who get car sick because it is a long and windy road. Otherwise, it's fine if you don't mind that kind of drive.

Once you arrive, there is limited parking, but if you're patient, people come and go every so often throughout the day, so you can wait. We waited about 5 minutes before we got a spot. There were some who even created their own spots along the side of the road.

After soaking in the majestic views at the Lookout, we wanted to do a short but moderate hike and we learned that most of the hiking trails begin at a different location. (there's a map up by the Lookout that shows you where the different trails begin) So we left the Lookout area and drove to where our chosen hiking trail began.

It took us about 2 hours to complete the hike, which ended at a small pool of water.
**Sidenote: There was an older couple making out in the water, which we thought was a bit inappropriate, especially for the families with kids. But they (kinda) stopped what they were doing once they saw more people arriving. LOL
All in all, it was a nice activity/adventure if you've never been to this part of the island before. I would recommend it.

Would I do it again? Maybe not. I love that I can say that I've "been there and done that" and that I've experienced the beauty, but I'm not an avid hiker, so I don't think I'd go there again unless maybe I come back to the island with friends who've never seen it before.

This is an amazing state ark! The best advice I can offer is go early. My wife and I got there at 6:30 am and did the overlooks at both state parks and we did not see a single person until we were through both parks. We then did the canyon trail hike and not only was the hike beautiful but we were the only ones at the waterfall at the end. It took us about 4 hours to do all of this.

The drive up to the top of Waimea Canyon State Park is gorgeous, but I would not recommend it for those with motion sickness. Lots of curvy roads and inclines. However, the view is unlike any I've seen. Unfortunately, we could not hike, but I could tell by the maps at the visitor center that the hiking here is world-class (and probably not for the faint of heart with all the intense cliffs and drop-offs).

You cannot miss out on seeing Waimea Canyon, it is one of the most spectacular natural sights I’ve ever laid eyes on. Even if you only stop at the Waimea Canyon lookout & Kalalau lookout it will have been worth it, but if you’re able to do one of the trails I’d suggest you do. We did the Cliff & Canyon trails. The cliff trail is quite short. The canyon trail gave us a good workout maybe 45 minutes each way.