Waimea Canyon State Park ("The Grand Canyon of the Pacific") and Kokee State Park
Waimea Canyon is a spectacular gorge on the island of Kaua‘i with an unique geologic history. It was formed not only by the steady process of erosion by the Waimea river which, fueled by prodigious annual rainfall, deeply cut into the island’s extensive lava and basalt fields, but also by a catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created Kaua‘i.
Waimea, which translates from Hawaiian to English to mean “reddish waters,” gets its moniker because when it rains, the red rock runs off into the water, turning it slightly red as it flows down and out of the canyon towards the sea. Waimea Canyon is about 14 miles long, a mile wide, and more than 3,600 ft (1,097 m) deep, and is enclosed within the Waimea Canyon State Park.
A popular tourist attraction on the island and a must-do for your Kauai Itinerary, Waimea Canyon provides a wilderness area with numerous hiking trails.
Entrance and Parking Fees: As of April 2021, all non-Hawaii resident visitors must pay both an entrance ($5 per person) and a parking fee ($10 per vehicle). These fees are paid upon arrival, when parking, at a kiosk. No prior reservation is required.
Kokee State Park is adjacent to Waimea Canyon State Park, the two running together to essentially form one big park. Kōkeʻe is blessed with a myriad of hiking trails to explore as well as a natural history museum, a restaurant/lodge, and a campground. Entrance and parking fees are included in the Waimea Canyon Fees – no additional payment is needed.
How to get there:
There are two highways you can take into the park – The Waimea Canyon Road (Highway 550) that starts from Waimea Town and Kōkeʻe Road (Highway 552) departing from Kekaha a few miles to the west. Both roads merge just a few miles into the park.
The Waimea Canyon road is comparatively easier to drive and is more scenic. If you’re a first timer, we suggest that you take Highway 550 on your way to the canyon and head back via Highway 552 for a different view.
