“The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

– The nickname of the Waimea Canyon. It is a large canyon, about ten miles long and up to 3,600 feet deep. It is located on the western side of Kauaʻi in the Hawaiian Islands of the United States. Waimea is Hawaiian for “reddish water”, a reference to the erosion of the canyon’s red soil.[1] The canyon was formed by a deep incision of the Waimea River arising from the extreme rainfall on the island’s central peak, Mount Waiʻaleʻale, among the wettest places on earth.

The State Park encompasses 1,866 acres (7.5 km2) and is a popular tourist attraction on the island. It provides a wilderness area with numerous hiking trails. It can be accessed from Waimea on Hawaiʻi state road 550, which is 18 miles long and leads up to Koke’e State Park. The island of Niihau, only a short distance west of Kauai at that point, can be clearly seen from the highway.

There are challenging hiking and hunting trails wind through the canyon. Two lookouts, the Puu ka Pele and Puu hinahina, have parking and provide breathtaking views.

There are two trails that go through the area one is; Iliau Nature Loop and the other is; Kukui Trail. The Iliau Nature Loop is located at the start of the Kukui Trail, this is a short roadside loop trail on the western edge of Waimea Canyon. Native upland scrub vegetation plants are identified. The trail also affords excellent vistas of Waimea and Waialae Canyons. It is an excellent nature trail. The Kkuui Trail starts along Highway 550, about 0.75 miles beyond the 8-Mile Marker. Kukui Trail is a scenic trail down the west side of Waimea Canyon. It makes a 2,000 ft. elevation drop to the canyon floor ending at the Wiliwili Camp site administered by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Park Activities: Fishing, Hunting, Hiking

Park Amenities: ADA Accessible, Picnic Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Walking Path No Drinking Water is available.
Prohibited Activities: No Motorized Vehicles / ATV Riding, No Alcoholic Beverages, No Rock Climbing, No Commercial Activities, No Animals or Pets, No Camping, No Smoking.

Location: Waimea Canyon Dr., Uninc, Kauai County, Hawaii.

Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ben Ono

For additional information about entry & parking fees as well as activities that serve Waimea Canyon State Park visit:
https://hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/waimea-canyon-state-park/