Waimea Canyon
Koke'e Road, Highway 552,Kekaha,
Hawaii 96752
(808)587-0300
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8 Reviewsfor Waimea Canyon
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1120 families found this helpful
"Gorgeous Views!"
I'm fascinated by volcanoes old and new, so Waimea Canyon was such a treat to visit. The actual canyon is smaller than the grand canyon, but oh, so beautiful. We drove up to Pu'u o Kila Lookout, the highest lookout point, and fell in love with not only the scenic views of the canyon, but the panoramic views of the ocean as well. It was absolutely breathtaking!
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0 families found this helpful
"Gorgeous views"
Safe for little ones and very beautiful. This looks just like the grand canyon but smaller and greener. There are also chickens everywhere that the little kids may love to chase around. I would highly recommend it but do not expect toddlers to be amused for too long.
1 family found this helpful
"Waimea Canyon Oct '08"
Wow, what an amazing drive up to the canyon. If you get carsick easily, remember to wear your seabands. Beautiful views from the vistapoints. Make sure to bring an umbrella, since it can rain up there even if it says sunny in the weather forecast. Bring a lunch and hang out while you watch all the travelers explore. Bring some cash for some snacks.
0 families found this helpful
"Great views!"
Waimea Canyon is a really beautiful place and if you're in Kauai, it's definitely worth a visit! It's a long, windy drive to the top of the canyon, but the drive is scenic. Little ones might not really appreciate the view, but I think it's still worth it to go.
1 family found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
The spectacular Waimea Canyon should definitely be included on the itinerary of any Kauai visitor. It’s commonly referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” after its similarity to Arizona’s natural wonder. The canyon is only 1 mile wide, but it’s a whopping 14 miles long. It features a wide variety of trails designed for all levels of hikers.
Officially, Waimea Canyon State Park begins about a mile inland from Waimea, on the Waimea Canyon Road. The park borders the road for the remainder of its winding path, which culminates at Kokee State Park.
Outfitters Kauai (742–9667, www.outfitterskauai.com) offers informative, exciting Kokee mountain-bike trips, in which guides explain the native plants, special geographic features, and local legends. Children must be ten years old. Outfitters offices are in Poipu Shopping Village.
Kauai Mountain Tours (245–7224, www.alohakauaitours.com) offers van tours of Kokee, a great alternative for families with children too young to hike. You’ll get to see the backwoods of the park from an air-conditioned vehicle. Views include Waimea Canyon, sugi pine forests, waterfalls, and rare birds. The trip costs $125 for adults, $90 for children twelve and younger. The tour includes hotel pickup and lunch. A half-day
tour costs $70 for adults and $50 for kids. The company’s offices are in Lihue.
Although quite curvy, the road is well maintained as it leads up the mountain, where the landscape changes almost immediately and the temperature drops a few degrees. Along the way don’t miss the chance to park at one of the many scenic points. The views are expansive and get even more glorious as you climb higher.
When you reach an altitude of 3,100 feet, the first stop is Waimea Canyon Lookout, where you have a fantastic view of the canyon. At Pu`ukapele Lookout, about 3,700 feet up, there’s a small rest area with picnic tables. The best views of the canyon are from Pu`uhinahina Lookout. A short trail beginning behind the restrooms leads to an even better view, where, if cloud cover permits, you can see Niihau.
The road ends at the 4,345-acre Kokee State Park, where another slew of hiking trails can accommodate any skill level. It gets cold up here, so bring warm clothes. Be sure to follow the road all the way to its end, at Kalalau and Pu`u O Kila lookouts.
From Kalalau you can see deep into Kalalau Valley, the largest and widest valley in the Na Pali cliffs, and you can also see the ever-beautiful Na Pali Coast from a different angle, as opposed to viewing it from the ocean. From Pu`u O Kila you also can see into Kalalau Valley, as well as across the Alakai Swamp to Mount Waialeale, in the center of the island.
Staff at the park headquarters can answer questions about the particular plants and animals in this region and about the conditions of certain trails. Be sure to pick up a free map that details all the trails in the park.
3 families found this helpful
"Get close to nature. "
We drove up here from our hotel in Poipu and it was well worth the jaunt. The canyons are beautiful and the preserve is filled with hikes. We put our daughter in a backpack and set off exploring for the day. We loved the hike from Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls. If you're looking for something that's stroller friendly, you can just do a stop at the Waimea Canyon Vista Point Lookout. The dirt path is wide enough for a stroller although fairly rugged.
3 families found this helpful
"Don't miss"
It's a long way from anywhere else, and you have to go back the way you came, but there's nothing else like it. Many breathtaking overlooks along the road, many off-road hikes. Clouds blow in and out, so if you can't see anything when you get up there, just wait a few minutes. Not much in the way of concession, so I'd suggest taking your food and drink with you. Do NOT go without a camera.
3 families found this helpful
"Great for scenery and hiking"
Were you ever blown away by the beauty of the Jurassic Park island. Many of the most memorable vistas were filmed here on the Na' apali Coast and Waimea Canyon and you can see it first hand. Mark Twain's coined this the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" which is totally on the mark. Be prepared to drive up a lot of windy roads to get up to the Waimea Canyon Lookout point, Kokee State Park and the true gem, the view western view of the Na'apali Coast (this is at the end of the road). There are tons of other stop-off points, but the Waimea Canyon Lookout and Na'apali Coast vista are MUST SEES! This is also the wettest place on Kauai, so expect some rainfall while you're there. The showers are quick, so don't worry. You'll be back in Hawaiian sunshine in no time.
There are several hikes varying from easy to strenuous. Grab a map from the info center and choose the type of hike that suits your family's adventure level. We had a one year old, so we mostly just enjoyed the vistas. We got lunch at the Koke'e Lodge which is your only option up there. No amazing food, but it's edible. Lots of fun chickens to watch for your toddler if you decide to eat there. There are also plenty of picnic tables outside if you decide to bring your own meals.
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