Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon can be found off Waimea Canyon Road in Waimea on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and is approximately ten and a half miles from Port Allen Airport. Kauai is the fourth largest of the Hawaiian main islands and is also the oldest. The canyon is situated on the western side of the island and is the largest one in the Pacific region.

Carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods flowing from Mount Waialeale, the canyon is now 10 miles long, one mile wide and over 3,500 feet deep. Visitors can see lines in the canyon walls created by lava flows resulting from volcanic eruptions. There are numerous look out points here offering great views of the surrounding area including Kalalau Valley.

This area is part of the Kokee State Park where there are over 45 miles of hiking trails running through the canyon as well as Alakai Swamp. Visitors can obtain maps of the trails from the Ranger's Station at the Kokee Museum. It should also be noted that the temperatures at the top of the canyon will be much cooler than in the valley. Sometimes it can be shrouded in cloud during the afternoons.