Waimea Canyon, on Kauai's West Side, is often described as “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The moniker became popular after American explorer John Wesley Powell came to the island of Kauai in 1869, although it is often falsely attributed to Mark Twain, the author.

While it's not as big nor as old as the Grand Canyon, it is 14 miles long (22.5 km), 1 mile wide (1.6 km) and more than 3,600 feet deep (1100 m).

Understand

Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water", a reference to the erosion of the canyon's red soil. 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 canyon has a unique geologic history as it was formed by the steady process of erosion and also by a catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created Kauaʻi.

Like the other Hawaiian islands, Kauaʻi is the top of an enormous volcano rising from the ocean floor. With lava flows dated to about 5 million years ago, Kauaʻi is the oldest of the large Hawaiian islands. Roughly 4 million years ago, while Kauaʻi was still erupting almost continuously, a portion of the island collapsed. This collapse formed a depression which then filled with lava flows.

In the time since, rainwater from the slopes of Mount Waiʻaleʻale have eroded Waimea Canyon along one edge of the collapse. On the east side of the canyon, the cliff walls are built from thick lava flows that pooled in the depression. Over time, the exposed basalt has weathered from its original black to bright red.

Get in

The park is a 10-mile (16-km) drive north of Waimea on Hawaiʻi State Road 550, which continues on 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

Fees and permits

There is no entrance fee.

Parking is available daily during daylight hours: non-commercial vehicles $5, valid for Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park parking lots (free for Hawaii residents with Hawaii Drivers License or Hawaii State ID). Commercial vehicles: 1-7 passenger vehicle $10, 8-25 passenger vehicle $20, over 25 passenger vehicle $40.

See

Waimea Canyon

There are panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags, deep valley gorges, and grand inland vistas that go on for miles. The main road, Waimea Canyon Drive, leads you to a lower lookout point and the main Waimea Canyon Overlook, offering views of Kauai's dramatic interior.

• 1 Waimea Canyon State Park. Overlooks the deep, colorful gorge of Waimea Canyon. The park consists of a scenic drive, lookouts, viewpoints and trails. $5/person, parking $10/vehicle. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Kokee State Park. $5/person, parking $10/vehicle. (updated Jan 2022)

Do

There are many trails for beginner and seasoned hikers, including:

• Iliau Nature Loop
• Kukui Trail

Sleep

Go next

• Waimea Canyon Drive continues into the mountains and ends at Kokee State Park.