Waimea Canyon State Park

Give the Shaka Guide app a try if you're looking to experience the canyon at your own pace. If you're hiking, even on easy/moderate trails, bring good hiking shoes and water. If it rains, the trails become very difficult and slick. There is an excellent restaurant and plenty of bathrooms along the way. You must pay a 1 time fee for parking and each visitor. This can be paid at the lookouts and is good for all locations for the entire day.

Nice trails, great views. Lots of driving to get to each spot! So don't get dropped off here unless you have one specific hike in your plans. Otherwise it takes a few hours to drive to each look out. The parking and ticket purchasing system is easy and straightforward. Just be patient if there isn't a spot, a lot of people park, take a pic, then drive off to the next spot. We hiked the canyon rim trail to the waterfalls area. Mind the signs as they do serve as a good warning that some of the waterfall lookouts are on several hundred foot tall ledges. So keep your kids on a short leash!

Absolutely beautiful and a must go to. You can either drive it and stop at the lookout spots, or park and do some of the trails. Either way it is more than worth it. It can get rainy up in the mountains so I suggest a rain coat and comfortable shoes!

So beautiful! I would definitely recommend if you are staying in Kauai. There are many places to stop with amazing views at each of them! There is a small fee for entry and parking but it is 100% worth it!

Waimea Canyon State Park is hands down one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in all of Hawaii. Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” the views here are absolutely jaw-dropping—lush green valleys, deep red cliffs, and layers of ridges that stretch for miles. Whether you’re driving to scenic lookouts or hiking one of the many trails, there’s something incredible to see around every corner. The vibe is peaceful and humbling, with well-maintained paths and plenty of photo-worthy stops. There are restrooms available, picnic areas to relax and refuel, and it’s pretty accessible overall. Great spot for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. I didn’t bring a dog, but I did notice others with pets enjoying the views and trails, which is always a bonus. Make sure to bring water, wear good shoes, and give yourself enough time to take it all in. Easily a must-visit spot on Kauai—can’t recommend it enough! 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

What a breathtaking place! We only did the lookouts and some short hikes, but it was totally worth it. It very much is the grand canyon of the Pacific and we will be back for some more intense hikes on our next visit to the island. There is a $10 parking fee per car, and an additional $5 per passenger.

It was the highlight of our Kauai trip! It is majestic and the best canyon ridges I have ever seen, hands down. It’s just awesome, hard to picture so if you happen to be in Hawaii, don’t miss it!

Stunning views of the park! I would recommend skipping looking at the outlook at the summit. You have to pay for parking and entry fee per person. $10 for parking and $5 each person. Instead, we left the summit parking area and drove less than a minute to a separate turn off and got the same views. Here is the view from the turn off. I believe it’s down the road for said lodging, but before you get to the lodging.

This was a great hike! Challenging, a little dusty, and some excellent views. I can see this area being harder to do if there happened to be rain, but otherwise just be prepared to get dirty. It's going to happen no matter what. I suggest coming on the early side; we got there at 8am and the parking lot only had 4 other cars. What it lacked in cars, however, it more than made up for in chickens. Chickens that want to approach you, talk to you, and even give you a friendly peck. Chickens that have no fear rule this parking lot. By the time we left, around 11am, there were a lot more people on our return hike and the lot was super full. Also, it was getting much hotter, which made the early hike that much more worth it. Wear GOOD hiking boots / sneakers, and bring a walking stick. I found it pretty helpful on some of the steeper parts. Enjoy the view!

Welcome to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is an breathtaking destination that shows Kauai's natural beauty. The panoramic views are stunning, with vibrant red and green cliffs set against beautiful waterfalls and the vast Pacific Ocean. The lookout points are easily accessible and offer incredible photo opportunities, but hiking enthusiasts will love the variety of trails that provide even more immersive experiences. The drive to the park is scenic, and each turn reveals a new view. Expect lots of twists and turns. Waimea Canyon is an unforgettable must-see!!!

Definitely recommend checking out Waimea Canyon and state parks. We hiked the Canyon trail down to waterfall. Definitely wear good sneakers/ hiker type sneakers ! Sandals no way it's steep and slippery Going back up it's a steep climb not for those who aren't in fair shape or disability Mini Waterfall was great fun experience

GO! GO! GO! If you don't go, you will definitely be missing something spectacular! It is VERY high up while you're driving and you should bring a sweater because the higher you go, the colder it is. Plus we went in January, so there's that. There are many places you can stop along the way to take awesome scenic landscape photos. Also, take a good pair of sneakers with grip on the bottom. There are plenty of rails and I'm not one to lean on them, but I'm always extra careful about what shoes I'm wearing. Don't go with sandals here! Please! Please don't wear sandals here! The drive to go to Waimea Canyon State park is SO worth it. You won't be disappointed at all. There are many waterfalls as well (see my photos). This place is truly breathtaking. If we were to visit Kauai again (I really hope so), we would do this all over again.

Waimea Canyon State Park is a great day trip from any part of the island. With plenty of overlooks and hikes, there's much to see and do. Before or after your day at the park, stop at one of the several restaurants in Waimea to refuel.

We came in mid-march in the morning but unfortunately the weather wasn't the best since it was a rainy day. We got to the lookout, paid for our passes and walked to see the view. Very beautiful even on a cloudy/foggy day. I'd imagine on a clear day it would have been stunning! Maybe if we had gone later in the day it would have been better, but it really just depends on the weather. We saw cute little goats hanging out on the cliffs. Driving further in, we did a mini nature trail and then decided just to head back since it was muddy and the weather wasn't the best for us to keep going.

Even with all the people, this is still a stunning and peaceful place. So many colors and textures. I've been here 3 times that I can remember....and it's been cloudy each time. And I still love staring at its beauty. Note.... there are not any stores or gas at the lookouts, turnouts. So.... stock up on water, snacks, etc before heading up to the canyon. Also.... bring a light jacket, windbreaker, rain coat.... it's about 20 degrees cooler up there than down at the beach. Oh....and if you plan on hiking. Wear appropriate footwear and plan to get a bit or a lot muddy depending how much it's raining.

Ever wonder where the best mother nature has to offer might be? Look no further than Kauai's Waimea Canyon State Park !! There are no words to describe its natural beauty. Even the movie Jurassic Park doesn't do this place justice. Look it up. Read about it. Study it. The only way to truly appreciate this gift is to come see it. You will never forget the experience

This place is beautiful! When you get to the fork in the road toward Waimea canyon lookout, guide right instead of left. Everyone is right you lose cell service at some point. I love how the lookout was ADA accessible. Lots of restrooms at every stop. Keep going up after the first lookout and there's a picnic area on the left side. Got all the way to the top but unfortunately that lookout was completely clouded. Either way it was so stunning and a great experience. Forgot to mention we got to see some goats, even a baby goat running around. Didn't try any hiking trails today as it was misty and the mud was very slippery.

A beautiful canyon on the west side of Kauai! The drive is a little adventurous with a lot of winding roads and elevation changes though well worth the travel!

Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai has magnificent scenery plus hiking and great views. The park and canyon are reached by a dead-end road starting at Waimea on the south shore. The road goes through the park and ends to Koke'e State Park, with views over the NaPali Coast on the northwest shore. The canyon has been called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and the similarities are evident. The scenery is stunning and includes some of th emost striking scenery in the state. The road goes directly to car parks at scenic outlooks, so one may experience it without hiking. However, there are also some extensive hiking trails from the parking, as well, which provide different views and some good hiking. The main car park has toilets and a kiosk where you pay for parking in the park.

Be prepared .. the 3.4 miles round trip hike to the bottom of the waterfall is not an "easy stroll". Hiking shoes are greatly recommended, lots of slippery muddy areas, plenty of steep up and down hills. Bring enough water/snacks.

One of my favorite state parks! It's like the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. The views as you're driving up is out of this world. I didn't imagine Kauai to have this or have something that looked like this. It's so beautiful! The pay part is a little weird. There's no entrance, so if you never pull over you can miss paying. The pay is per vehicle and per person. The hikes are pretty difficult. We drove all the way to the end and tried to hike that trail to see the Pali Coast, it was just too clay muddy. It was hard and so wet and sticky that we didn't want to fall. It literally took us 30 minutes to go like .25 miles, so we gave up. Some people were falling down on their butts! You really need hiking shoes with spikes!

The Grand Canyon of the Pacific is beyond grand. The Earth is amazing! Dress for a windy and cooler environment compared to the lower elevations. I've been to both Grand Canyons. Each one created through different geologic forces but shaped by the same force. Erosion. A must see when you're on Kaua'i

Such a beautiful overlook! If you are anywhere in the area, I would highly recommend stopping in. It's easy and the view is so worth it!

I had sky high anticipation for Waimea Canyon. Seeing photos on the internet combined with being recognized as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", I thought this park would be a grand slam home run visit. But having some time to reflect on the experience, it wasn't nearly as thrilling as I had forecast. Let me explain and provide details... Waimea Canyon is located on the western side of the island of Kauai. Waimea Canyon Drive will take you into the park from the local town. Basically, Waimea Canyon unofficially (imo) starts at Mile Marker 10 - WAIMEA CANYON LOOKOUT - the main event highlight. This viewpoint epitomizes everything. It's the grand overlook. I must say, visiting here in the morning time can be a MISTAKE! The sun starts rising above the canyon floor and makes for difficult photography moments accentuating shadows and glares. Although everyone wants to reach the best parts of the park as quick as possible, I discovered that revisiting this lookout in the afternoon time with the sun at the opposite side of the sky was much more rewarding. Then the colorful landscape shines better. And even still, if there are clouds out in the the afternoon, more shadows can get cast down on the canyon. Finding that perfect moment here was not easy but it is the premier spot at Waimea Canyon. The other big highlight is at Mile Marker 13.5 - PU'U HINAHINA LOOKOUT. Within this area, you have 2 different perspectives... - Canyon Viewpoint - scenic spot, but with a waste high fence and the canyon situated down below, you may be relegated to selfie pics. - Ni'ihau Viewpoint - can be skipped. Also at this Pu'u Hinahina Lookout is the well talked about Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls. I would temper excitement for this hike. The trail along the way goes throughout the forest. You may feel like you're wasting time getting to nowhere. Waipo'o Falls isn't nearly as accessible as expected. Unknowingly, you may be standing on top of the falls rather than beside it looking up. That's what appeared to confuse not only myself, but other people as well. Waipo'o Falls may be considered one of the "tallest waterfalls in Hawaii", but finding it at the end of Canyon Trail looked like a strenuous last leg of the journey, even for experienced hikers. There were no trail signs to assist you. I didn't press my luck and had to turn around. After this Mile Marker 13.5 - continuing on, you now actually (and surprisingly) enter Koke'e State Park. Waimea Canyon is connected with Koke'e State Park (like brother and sister), so you get to explore 2 parks together. In my head I thought..."so that's the end of Waimea Canyon?" Yes it is, unless I navigated things incorrectly. Now Waimea Canyon Drive turns into Koke'e Road leading towards the conclusion at Mile Marker 23 - Pu'u O Kila Lookout. You can spend the 2nd portion of the day at Koke'e SP and finish both parks in enough time from sunrise to sunset. You can complete things in half a day if you're just checking out the overlooks. If you do plan on hiking, then you'll probably need 2 days for Waimea and Koke'e. I found the hiking to be okay. And I thought most of the vista point lookouts were good, but I expected better. And when trying to compare Waimea Canyon to the real Grand Canyon of Arizona, I believe it's not a close race. The Grand Canyon offers endless glances and hiking trails that transcend you among some of the greatest scenery in the world. Here at Waimea Canyon, the viewpoints were a little distant. Finding that spiritual connection never felt inline with expectations. But, this is just my opinion, lol. Entrance prices are $10 per car plus $5 per person within your group. There are toll machines in the parking lot at a few of the popular spots like Waimea Canyon Lookout and Pu'u Hinahina Lookout. The machines accept only credit cards and then you place the receipt in the front dashboard of your car. There are security lot attendants that walk around and inspect to ensure you've paid. Extra notes... Even before arriving at the climactic - Waimea Canyon Lookout (Mile Marker 10)...there'll be unnamed observation points along the drive into the park if you're really antsy to start seeing the sights ASAP. You can pull off the side of the road for all of them. They take a minute or two before returning to your car. And if you follow Google Maps, they're named... - Kekaha Lookout - Ni'ihau Lookout - Stream and Canyon Lookout - Hohonu Awawa Lookout In between Waimea Canyon Lookout - Marker 10 and Pu'uHinahina Lookout - Marker 13.5 is PU'U KA PELE PICNIC AREA which appeared to go unnoticed and skipped by anxious park visitors. If you leave your car on the left hand side and cross the street, you'll uncover some dramatic canyon views. I didn't notice any sort of Waimea Canyon Visitor Center to pick up brochures, park pamphlets or souvenirs. Though Koke'e State Park has the Museum and Lodge to buy gifts and keepsakes. Since I've run out of room, I'll end things here. Thanks

Simply beautiful! We didn't have any time to do any hikes, but we did drive up to some lookout points which were worth the drive. If you have time to hike, definitely take advantage!!

Words barely capture 1% of the incredible breathtaking views of Waimea Canyon, and the pictures only capture about 10% of it. Definitely worth the drive to come see it all, just make sure its a clear day. Minimal physical effort required, the paved walking paths are all around and relatively short. There are plenty of multi mile hikes available if you're into that sort of thing, otherwise the lookouts along the road are enough for me.

Definitely a must do on Kauai; the Canyon State Park is gorgeous! We spent a week on Kauai with our seven month old at the time and although we needed pretty much a full day to explore the State Park; we made the time for it. Unfortunately, we weren't able to do any of the longer 5+ mile hikes, but even just driving to the lookout point is well worth it. The views are incredible! I'd love to come back and hike throughout the park or even take a helicopter ride next time. I hope to come back!

The view was terrific. I went there a few years ago and didn't have much of an impression. But this time, and maybe because I'm older, I appreciated the details that I probably skipped over before. It's a long drive for an old timer like me so we only went to the first lookout. Be sure to take some food and water with you especially if you plan to drive further in the park to the other lookouts.

Great drive to Waimea Canton State Park. Drive up Waimea Canyon Drive up 550. Will take about an hour to get to the State Park. It's about 20 minutes further to get to the Nepali Coast Lookout. It's just simply stunning and beautiful.

A must-see area of Kauai when on the island. It's not a bad drive from most parts of the island, with the road being well-maintained. You can choose to do hiking of gorgeous trails in the area (varied in terms of difficulty), or stop by many of the lookouts along the way). Stunning scenery! We went earlier in the morning and avoided some crowds we saw on the way back down.

The park was beautiful. Drove up to the lookout. A little bit of sprinkles but warm and refreshing. Loved the fragrance of the ginger. FYI. The guy selling fish at the bottom of the hill is kind of a rip off. Poke was flavorful but not the best cut of fish and his price was way too high.

I wasn't going to say it because I got tired of hearing the phrase when we were there, but this is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Waimea State Park is one of the greatest places I have ever seen. If you only have 1 day on Kauai, this is the must do. If you have a couple of days, try to pick the day with the least amount of clouds with high viability. Words can not describe how great this State Park is. The best advice I received was to get there as early as you can on a clear day. As you enter the park, you begin to travel on a long and winding road. The first few miles, the best view is the ocean behind you. However, that will soon change when you get looks of the canyon through the trees. We couldn't resist and stopped at a few of the small parking areas along the main road to get a better look. When we arrived at the main parking area we had to go to the machine to pay for parking which is good for all the parking areas on the road. MONEY WELL SPENT! A short walk from each parking area showed natural beauty in a different and incredible way. People with disabilities are able to enjoy these views, too. There are ramps to the major viewing areas. When driving to the top, make sure you see all the stops. Don't stop until you reach the end of the road! You'll know it's the end because there are potholes that can eat most small cars. My family each had their favorite spots, and others we talked to on the cruise we were on had family members who couldn't agree on which area was the best either. This is the number one thing to do on the Island of Kauai. Considering Kauai may be the most beautiful of all the Hawaiian Islands that's saying a lot.

This place is nothing short of breathtaking. We went on a day that had 35% chance of rain and it felt like we went through 3 different seasons. Breezy overcast, warm sun, chilly rain, we had it all in only 3 hours. Dress for everything. At one lookout, a local man told stories of the Hawaiian culture and spoke about how the area has been used over decades. Even taught us tourists, a few words in Hawaiian and their meaning. It was such a great experience, words can't accurately describe it. The fees to partake in all lots: $10 per car , $5 per person. Credit card only, but the fees apply to each lookout. It's worth paying for as it does provide paved access and ramps for everyone's enjoyment. There are a few spots to stop for a picnic as well. Thin, windy roads with just enough room for two cars but that's about it. Pull over for lookouts here and there and take in the beautiful scenery. The trails have signage indicating where you can walk/hike and enjoy the day. We spent 3 hours at the canyon, but didn't get to hike due to the weather. Consider that in planning an experience.

10/18/22 Coming from Princeville, it was a good 2 hour drive. It's a long windy uphill ascent. We've been here more than a dozen times over the years & it never gets old. Today we skipped the actual lookout that was the main one that had 2 decks to see the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It was way too packed & parking was impossible. What's new, parking fees. It used to be free. Now it's $10 per vehicle AND $5 person. There are other entry points to lookouts & countless hiking trails, hunter check points. The highlight for me is the Kalalau Lookout, reminds me of Lost & Jurassic Park. This is the drier side of the island & it's a good twenty degrees cooler than the rest of the island. It was 64 degrees up there & by the time we got down the mountain it was 88 degrees. There's no wi-fi up there. If you get car sick, this is not for you. It's worth the trip to see spectacular & breathtaking views. It's best if you wear shoes with some good grip or hiking sandals. Slippers not really ideal. It could get really slippery when it rains, and muddy.

My friends and I visited Waimea Canyon on a Saturday in February. I was a bit concerned about parking because we were coming from the other side of the island and arrived around 1pm. There wasn't any parking available at the first garage we checked, but fortunately, we were able to park at the second one. You do have to park for parking, but it is worthwhile, given it allows you to park at various stopping points throughout the park. We ended up taking the Canyon Trail, which I highly recommend. Note that some of the hike can be a bit slippery, especially after it has rained. For most of the hike, you didn't get any views, but once you reached the end, it was breathtaking. There was also a nearby waterfall and swimming pool, where a few people were taking a dip.

Awesome. Not really sure what else you can say about the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Endless amounts of gobsmacking scenery Lots of little trains and hikes Lots of turnouts so you can take in the view. Very little in the way in services so stop and pick up a picnic lunch and make a day out of it.

This is a long trip from where we stay. You have to commit a full day The lookout points are pay once for the day. 5.00 PP AND 10.00 per car. Great views with small crowds.

This was my first time going to Waimea and I'm a lifelong resident of Hawaii. Took my son here for the first time and it was absolutely breathtaking!!

stunning drive - passed by so many lookout when driving up waimea canyon state park and hit all the way to kalalau lookout. after the drive, hit up jojo's shave ice and wrangler's steakhouse for dinner!

Coming to the Canyon during the waning days of the delta variant. Drove 1 hour from Poipu in a tiny Kia Soul rental car to get here, on the first clear sunny day. And, the rental car company classifies the Kia Soul as a compact car. Would hate to be inside their smaller economy class car. GPS directed me on highway 50 to take Waimea Canyon Drive, while signs said stay on 50 for 3 more miles and take Kokee Road.   The first time I was here, I took the Kokee Rd up the mountain, which is longer, with more 180 turns, and even a few short stretches of single lane road.   This time almost missed the Waimea Canyon Drive in downtown Waimea, the easier route to the park. Don't like driving the 20+ miles of tight curvy mountain roads like my sister? Sit in the front shotgun style, and make the third person sit in the back, and get dizzy, in this case my wife. Wife says next time I'm sitting in the back! The first time here, made the mistake of stopping at the Waimea Canyon Lookout and then the Puu Hinahina lookout, the Kalalau lookout, and finally the Puu o Kila lookout on Kokee road.  By the time I got to the Kalalau lookout at noon, the mountains in the background were covered with fog. Now, I always bypass all the lookouts in Waimea Canyon state park, and drive 25 miles straight to the very end of the road in Kokee State Park to Pua o Kila Lookout. The road in Kokee Park narrows considerably to the point where two large SUVs encountering each other will require one vehicle to pull off to the side of the road. Puu o Kila lookout has no more than two dozen parking spots, and fills up fast. It is also the starting point for a number of hikes. You will have to go to the much larger Kalalau Lookout parking lot with 50+ spaces to use the bathrooms. A daily $10 fee for each car and $5 fee for each visitor from the credit card machines at the parking lot of each of the main lookouts. Tourist fee, as Hawaii residents can get a permit at the Waimea Canyon lookout, to avoid this fee. If you don't want to pay the fee, you can go to the several informal lookouts on the side of the road between the Puu Hinahina lookout and Waimea Canyon Lookout to take pictures of the canyon, without stopping at the fee enforced main lookout parking lots. No guardrails everywhere, and one slip and it's a 3000 foot drop to the bottom of the canyon! Since the pandemic started, there is no longer a food truck, but we ate lunch at Bobbie's in Hanapepe, which closes at 3pm. Lots of color in the 10 mile long canyon, with green lush vegetation covering most of the walls.  Areas of weathered stone cliffs, where you can see the different brown, red and orange colors of layered stone, just like in the Grand Canyon.  At least two waterfalls visible, one a double stage falls. Bathroom facilities on the dirty side, even compared to my home bathroom, which my ex said was dirtier than BART bathrooms.  People trudging mud on their shoes onto the floors.  Another reason not to wear light colored shorts, should you have to do a sit down job! I did not see any enforcement of the parking fees. No parking tickets being written, but I wasn't taking any chances with a red colored rental car! Besides, the park needs all the revenue they can get, with all the potholes in the road! 2 videos attached viewable through the business photos

What can I say about this place. It's definitely the Grand Canyon of the Hawaiian Islands. It's a lot smaller, but also greener and cooler up here. The crowd is not as big. It's about a 1 hour drive from the town of Poipu. The drive up wasn't bad either, but towards the end of the road, there are pot holes so be careful. Make sure you don't forget to pay the fees. It's $10 per vehicle and $5 per person.

Waimea Canyon is a State Park. Entrance and parking fee is required. The payment system accepts credit cards and operates on a honor system. The payment boxes are located at several parking lots. You only pay once. The road through the canyon is long, winding and narrow. The shoulder is soft in some areas and if you go off the road you may need a tow as we saw one car in trouble. The road deteriorates the further you go with many pot holes. Dry carefully and slow. We did not go to the furthest parking lot as we were told that the road is in very bad condition. The canyon is stunning from the various viewing points. Not quite as deep as the Grand Canyon but truly spectacular just breathtaking. The only disappointment is the road condition. Since a fee is charged for each person plus the vehicle, the money should cover road repair. Overall the drive should not be missed. This would be a 5 star experience if the road was in better condition.

Lots of trails to hike on and campsites to camp at. As you drive up there is a lot of lookouts so be prepared to stop often. You do have to pay for parking but luckily they take card. Bring a rain jacket because it randomly rains! *** Nu'alolo Cliff Trail*** Super unmaintained and it requires a lot of bushwhacking! I actually hit my head and got a concussion from doing this trail because of how unkept it is. There were no signs at all letting people know how bad the conditions of the trail were. Do not recommend this trail but we were trying to do the Nu'alolo Trail to Awa'awapuhi Trail so had to go on this trail.

Kauai are ended by 2 wonderful state parks. Driving up the West wing of the island, we can find three wonderful state parks lining up from easy to adventurous hiking trails. I didn't have a chance to drive up to the end of the road and hike all the trails but lucky enough to capture the beauty of Waimea Canyons and its water fall. It is worthy to drive up there and see the wonders of nature in Kauai.

Great place to visit for first-timers to Kauai. Beautiful scenic spot at the top of the hill...would be nice if tourist STOP making their own trails (lack of respect), or parking wherever (damaging the land) and putting locks where it doesn't belong. Waimea canyon should be left alone. Loved t

Amazing hikes, did part of the Kukui Trail which goes down into the canyon. Very pretty views from the top of that too, and there are quite a few turnouts on the road to view. Would recommend going to, but when you park in the designated lookout areas, be prepared to pay! The random street parking for some lookout spots didn't have any signs about payment (and there were no machines to pay, not sure what was up with that). In any case, very beautiful place!

The park is beautiful and worth a drive through, but if you use free pull outs and don't linger to long you can save money and still enjoy a free back cracking!! Read on... to my rant about what are the fees for? $10.00 per car and an additional $5.00 per person. No military discounts or otherwise. All the money you see going through the park and the roads are atrocious. Pot holes everywhere, road so bad at some spots if you have a low car you're going to scrap. The lookouts are nice but you can see just as good from free pull outs located along the road. No gate to ensure everyone paid. The park is beautiful but the fees are simply unjustified. What are they doing with the money??!!

The canyon lookout is completely breathtaking! Pictures do NOT do this place justice at all. We didn't have time to do any of the hiking, next visit we will. But it was nice to have a lookout to drive to! I highly recommend at least checking out the lookout, you will not be disappointed (unless it's like a super foggy day and you can't see anything lol)

Definitely a must see while you are visiting Kauai! We try to do this drive up the canyon every time we visit. It's the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The views are spectacular and the weather conditions will change up your experience depending on the time of day and weather forecast. There are plenty of hiking trails. It is cooler up there due to higher elevation so plan to wear a light jacket (and plan for possible rain at the top). There are some potholes near the top so drive carefully. For the major lookouts, there is a fee per car and person. Please support the State parks and don't leave any trash behind! It's always been an amazing experience and the views don't get old! Drive all the way to the top to get to one of the wettest places on earth!

My son, his wife and I all drove there. We've been there before, but he wants to bring his wife to see it. (Although, I don't remember it, I have to go back to my Photo Album), but it was EXACTLY 10 years ago! There is a parking lot, to where you can park your car. Then someone to take your fees $10 for the car to park, $5 each of your party. She directs you which side to climb up the steps up to the viewing area. This is the 'take it easy version', do the lookouts, take some selfies, with GREAT VIEWS of the canyon, and a short walking distance back down and you're done! It was windy, but for shade, I brought along my windproof folding umbrella, and I'm totally cool with that, everything's OK.

One of four state parks on Kauai, Waimea Canyon on the west side of the island was our pick for hiking during our vacation. Also known as the "Grand Canyon of Hawaii", this canyon has great views of lush vegetation, towering peaks, and lava flows. Plan out your route ahead of time, as GPS access and reception aren't reliable - the two-lane road is windy and at times, steep. Bathrooms and maps are available at the lookouts and along the scenic route. Be honest about paying for the parking and entrance fees using the kiosks - funds go to preservation efforts and maintaining the trails/lots for visitors. If you're just going for the views and some selfies, the best spot is the Kalalau Lookout or the Puu o Kila Lookout. Along the way, there are also red stone waterfalls - this is easy to jump out and walk around and get a couple of photos. Those who want to hike have lots of options: we did the Iliau Loop (less than a mile) and saw some native plants, along with a portion of the Kukui trail (rated "hard", but you can stop and turn around whenever). There was a third trail we attempted, but even though it was listed as "moderate", it was through a wetter area with lots of mud and puddles and we opted out of that because we didn't want to twist an ankle on our first day of our trip. It's quite a drive to get out here, especially if you're staying on the north shore, but IMO worth it - plan to spend the majority of the day out here.

We were on the fence of actually paying the fee for the car parking + a per person fee but we did it anyways. It was worth it because I don't think the views we saw were able to be seen on other parts of the drive. It was quite busy but it was so picturesque and is nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the pacific. Well worth the admission fees.

Beautiful state park to visit. You can hike around different trails and explore the different areas of the canyon. It can get cloudy later in the day so your view from the top of the canyon is not very clear. If you can, go early and get to the top early, then slowly make your way down. Yes, it can rain. Yes, it can get cloudy. Worth a visit when you are in Kauai.

Definitely a must visit during your visit to Kauai! We started the drive from Poipu at around 6am hoping to catch the sunrise and thankfully caught the tail end. So many lookout points along the way. Absolutely gorgeous canyon views. $10 per vehicle, $5 per person as a state park entry fee. Tight windy roads so drive accordingly. Don't skip the last checkpoint (mile 18 and 19) as these offer spectacular views of the ocean too.

Was beautiful once we got to the top but damn were the roads windy and did it feel like it took forever. My little one also got car sick coming back down too which sucked. Also you have to pay $10 for parking in a machine once you get to the top

Beautiful views. Don't stop at the first parking area (Waimea Canyon Lookout) and buy a ticket. Wait until you get to another area, because everyone was getting their ticket ($10 a car, & $5 per person) there, and it was a long line for the 2 kiosks they have.

I love Waimea Canyon State Park!! There are a variety of trails in both distance and difficulty. We like hiking to Waipo'o Falls because it's not super difficult and is a nice distance, not too short and not super long. If you want to see Ni'ihau and take pictures, you will need to get there by 7a, otherwise the clouds will come in and your view will be blocked.