Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a monstrous canyon on the Island of Kauai. Ten miles in length and 3,600 feet deep. Colors ranging from a deep red to bright green. It is truly a spectacular sight and a must-visit day trip. Based on our experiences, here is what you should know when visiting Waimea Canyon State Park.
Gas up before going up
It’s a long winding road up to the Waimea Canyon lookouts. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before starting the trip up the canyon because there are no service stations along the way. Yes, the gas stations in Waimea have inflated prices compared to the rest of the island. But it’s really your only choice so there is no sense in complaining. And don’t try to get by with half a tank and guesstimate how many miles per gallon your rental car gets, otherwise you could find yourself halfway up the canyon and have to turn around to head back down to refuel like I did. Trust me, vacation time is precious and you don’t want to have to waste an hour driving this twisting road more than once.
Pull Over for the Best Views
The Waimea Canyon Lookout is most peoples first stop. The lookout definitely has one of the best views of the canyon but it gets a little crowded. All the tour buses stop here so it’s a chaotic scene of pushy sightseers, rudely waddling there way in front of you, eagerly seeking their first glimpse of the canyon. Don’t let this affect your opinion of Waimea Canyon. Take a quick look and hop back in the car and continue driving up the road. Along the way, you will see spots along the shoulder of the road where you can pull over and be treated to the best views in the park. While some of these unofficial lookouts can be seen without having to get out of your car others require a short walk up the dirt embankment which adds a little mystery to what views lies just over the hill.
Be sure to pull your car completely off the road when stopping. Don’t be that person that leaves the ass end of the car sticking into the road causing people to have to swerve into oncoming traffic. Nobody likes that person.
Skip the Cliff and Canyon Hike
I’m sure this will be an unpopular opinion and will be contradictory to every travel guidebook but skip the cliff and canyon hike. It is a lot of unnecessary effort for a view you have already seen from the lookouts. There are better hikes on Kauai to spend your time walking, particularly the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail, which is one of my all-time favorite hikes. Do, however, check out Puu Hinahina Lookout which is at the trailhead of the Waimea Canyon Trail.
Pack a Lunch
Your food options in the town of Waimea are limited. The few good places will have lines wrapped around the block and the other options are mediocre. You have to remember, like any restaurants around a major attraction, the eateries going to rely on getting food out as quickly as possible or some sort of gimmick to attract tourists, like “Worlds only deep fried grease bomb”. Instead of eating in town, pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic up in the canyon or at Kokee State Park.
A piece of traveling advice; never eat at a place that advertises “World’s Only” or “Authentic [Insert Location] Cuisine” on the outside of the building, because it’s not unique or genuine and you will be disappointed.
Our Experience
Although we almost ran out of gas and the canyon hike was not worth the sweat, the Waimea Canyon State Park was still a fantastic experience. Photos hardly do the scenery justice, and I don’t have the writing skills to describe just how dramatic the landscape is. If you’re on Kauai, you have to go see it for yourself.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.