Travel Tips

Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a dramatic sight to behold. The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep.

It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale'ssummit.Even though smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon rivals the beauty.

Best viewing of the Kalalau Valley is in the early morning

Numerous trails lead through and above the canyon - check at the Ranger Station for maps Certain trails require a state permit before hiking

Kalalau Valley where the rugged cliffs and mythical beaches of Kauai's spectacular Napali Coast can be experienced on foot, by sea and by air. The lazy way to get an abbreviated version is to drive up the mountain from Waimea into Kokee State Park, go past the lodge and the museum to either the Kalalau Lookout or the Puu O Kila Lookout and gawk. From the lookout, the view changes from moment to moment as the sun and the clouds play tricks on the fluted walls of the valley. This kaleidoscopic effect takes nothing from the experience and only adds to the mystical aura of the scene below.

Directions to Kokee State Park and the Canyon

Take Highway 50 west from Hanapepe toward Waimea. Waimea Canyon Drive is on the right just past Mile Marker #23. The road travels through the canyon area and ends at Pu'u o Kila Lookout. Makaha Ridge Road runs off Waimea Canyon Road just before Mile Market #14 and travels to more sceneic lookouts. Numerous lookouts and trails lead off of these two roads.