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    Waimea Canyon State Park

    4.8 (449 reviews)

    Waimea Canyon State Park Photos

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    Tammy P.

    It is quite a drive if you are on the east side of the island but had to check it out. It was a very hot day but going up in elevation made it quite comfortable. It is a very windy road so if you have motion sickness it may be an interesting ride. There are many areas to pull over and take pictures but some parking areas require you to pay a few which is good for the day at several of the stops. As we got closer to the end of the road fog started to come in so the weather dictates the views. A beautiful area to visit so highly recommend as it does look like the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

    Shawn T.

    Photos won't do this place justice. The greenery is just vibrant! Took a bus excursion through my cruise and was my favorite experience!

    Gorgeous ! ( Koke'e Park)
    Diane W.

    Unfortunately the first lookout was closed so we had to drive to the next one. Hiked the Canyon Trail and saw some amazing plants and views. Drive to Koke'e Park-- beautiful too-- unfortunately the museum and store and restaurant had already closed ( we arrived after 4) Parking is $5 pp and $10 per car. A MUST SEE!

    karen k.

    Go early! Pass everything up and go to the top before the clouds roll in. Pick a dry day!!! Amazing view of clear. Note 15 min makes a difference! $10 per car and an extra $5 per person. So not cheap!

    Katherine K.

    Didn't get to do a full hike here as it had just rained and was very slippery. However, what I was able to see was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking! This is the kind of place that will impress no matter how many times you come here. One of the best state parks I've visited in my whole life. Don't miss out if you get the chance!

    Waimea canyon state park
    Ken D.

    The drive and the views, absolutely stunning.. it truly is the 'Grand Canyon of Hawaii' there are several lookouts and ample 'shoulder' areas to get out and see the amazing terrain. If you're on the South Side of Kauai, you need to take the drive.. ALL the way to the end of the road.

    Waimea Canyon State Park is on the west side of Kauaʻi | Rees's Roots
    Rees's R.

    Wow -- just wow. If heaven had a view, this is it. I drove up the winding road full of skepticism (because I've been burned by "scenic overlooks" before), but the moment I reached the lookout, all doubt evaporated. The canyon just smacks you with color -- deep reds, lush greens, sharp ridges, dramatic drops. It's like nature was flexing. The panorama at the main lookout feels cinematic. You can see far, you can see depth, and you can feel very small (in the best way). Parking was decent (though busy), and there are well-placed pullouts so you can hop out without playing Frogger on the road. The paths to the viewpoints are easy enough for casual walkers -- not a hardcore hike, but enough to feel like you earned the scenery. Also: the light changes fast. I showed up late afternoon, and the shadows made everything pop even more. Got some killer photos (my camera is jealous). Bring a layer -- up that high it's cooler and breezy. If you're in Kauaʻi and skip Waimea Canyon, I'll personally question your commitment to nature. Go. You won't regret it. https://linktr.ee/reessroots

    Tyler R.

    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!

    Pretty view 2
    Ashley H.

    The trip to Waimea canyon is totally worth it! Definitely go early. We got to the top around 1pm and the fog had already rolled in. Thankfully we had already seen the Napoli coast on a different tour or we would have been very disappointed.

    Jack B.

    Stunning views on both the hikes and the drive up. My family and I did the Waimea Canyon Trail (#3 on their map). We went on a dry and busy time, but there was plenty of shade along the trail. There are two waterfalls at the end of the trail, make sure to see both! Great for adventurous people, but not too difficult. Towards the end of the trail it gets fairly steep, which led to one of us falling. There are parts where you're climbing over and under tree branches, easy enough for most kids. There aren't many signs going up the road / mountain to the initial rest stop, but expect about 30 minutes until reaching it. Credit card only, $10 per vehicle and $5 per person. Also, beware Waimea Canyon Trail on Apple Maps, it's not the trail that's at the State Park, just some random river by homes.

    Cynthia M.

    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.

    Emily T.

    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.

    Beware the parking lots... drive carefully so you no wreck da car.
    Alia G.

    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.

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    Review Highlights - Waimea Canyon State Park

    The view is breathtaking & I have been to the Yellowstone "grand canyon" and have hiked the actual grand canyon.

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    Hawaii Forest & Trail - Hike Kilauea Volcano to find red hot lava!

    Hawaii Forest & Trail

    4.8(373 reviews)
    287.2 mi

    We had a great time on the Hawaii Forest & Trail Secret Waterfalls of Kona Excursion! Our guide,…read moreMark, was incredible--he kept everyone talking and he was genuinely interested in hearing everyone's travel stories. He was very knowledgeable and provided us with a wealth of fascinating information about the island. After a comfortable van ride, we hiked a beautiful trail that led us to a series of truly stunning, pristine waterfalls. We were treated to a delicious lunch from a local deli, and we loved that it was served in eco-friendly, completely reusable containers. On the way back, we made a perfect final stop at a local macadamia nut store. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish, and we recommend it!

    We went on an almost 100% full (flower) moon. It was special to see the terminator line on the…read moreCelestron telescope - it had such great definition! The color of Mauna Kea with the moon shining on it was so magical all around us. There were some clouds that cleared pretty well by the end of our star gazing. We were the last ones up there so it got dark enough to see more than you'd expect with the moon. Jeff, our awesome tour guide, used a laser pointer to help us see the constellations we usually can't back at home. The images on the digital telescope like nebulas, the moon & star clusters were an amazing addition to have as keepsakes. My husband and I felt he made the tour a great balance of learning and fun. He had the group feeling like family before we even left from the pickup lot. Things to consider: I do recommend following the moons cycles booking this tour/your trip if this is especially important for you to see as many stars as possible. The sunset and views of the observatory's make it awesome anyways :) I struggled with altitude sickness around 12,000 ft. Jeff had made sure to let us know beforehand if we experienced any issues to speak up. I was hesitant as I know it would mean turning the whole tour around, but some tingling turned to dizziness and then a brief fainting. He immediately stopped the bus and helped ground me and make sure I was completely okay & coherent before letting me know our options for the tour. We made it up to the top with 2 more (included in tour) stops and I felt better with each one having more time to acclimate :) Thank you Jeff!! You handled this so professionally and I appreciate your check-ins for the rest of the trip. It's cold even with parka and gloves. It's so worth packing warm shoes and layers. The bus had ac and heat so that was great! Do it if you can! Awe-inspiring! Such an unreal environment that makes you wonder about so many things. Just take the precautions seriously, move slow and breathe deep.

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    Hawaii Forest & Trail - Take a dip in a private waterfall on our Hilo Tropical Waterfall Tour.

    Take a dip in a private waterfall on our Hilo Tropical Waterfall Tour.

    Hawaii Forest & Trail - Explore pristine lava tubes when you venture with Hawaii Forest & Trail.

    Explore pristine lava tubes when you venture with Hawaii Forest & Trail.

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    Hi’ilawe Falls - A little waterfall

    Hi’ilawe Falls

    5.0(1 review)
    303.5 mi

    This is by far one of my favorite hikes on the Big Island. I have venture on it twice. The…read moretrailhead is located in Waipio Valley! Take the very steep road (Kukuihaele Road) down to the valley. When you arrive at the bottom of the steep road, you can go left or you can go right. Right takes you to the beach! Take a left and travel down the town dirt road. You are going to take this road for 0.6 of one mile until you hit a stream in the middle of the road! Do NOT cross the stream (crossing the streams is bad)! There is a trail-head immediately to the left of the road, exactly before the stream road crossing. You walk upwards on the dirt. There will be signs that say, "trail closed," "private property," etc. You will know that is the trail you want to take! Follow this trail as much as possible and try to stick to whatever appears to be a trail! I try to avoid the homes on the left of the trail as much as possible, to respect their privacy! While on the trail, you will traverse down by the river and back up and down by the river and back up, a few times...that is normal! Then, you will eventually come to many signs saying, "Under surveillance" and more warning signs...you are on the right track! There are two tiny fences you can either climb over easily or slightly go around...not too hard. Then you come to a man-made dam in the river! You will want to cross that dam! I walked in front of the dam, because there was less water. Then, once on the other side, I climb the dam and enter the waist high (depending on your height) water. I stay on the far right side of the ridge until I climb up on the rocks and back on a trail. Now, keep in mind, the trail will go upwards and downwards, along the river and back up on an actual trail. You will also cross the river several times, because quite frankly, there is no other way to do this hike AND the trail continues on the other side. You go through a bamboo forest too! Towards the last 1/5 of the hike, there is a longer well seen trail on the right side, which will eventually lead you to the Hi'ilawe Falls! My wife I and I did this hike and we only saw three people (a group) along the way, who turned back, because they did not have enough time to complete it. My wife is on the slower side, so it took us 2.5 hours to get there and 2 hours to hike back. On my first hike when I did this alone, I made the trip back in 1 hour (not sure about the bike there by myself, because I spent more time hiking over boulders and did not notice the trail on most of the journey until hiking back). A good rule of thumb...stay away from the stream as much as possible! Inevitably, you will have to hike on the side of the stream. Stay away from hiking over boulders as much as possible. The less you have to hike over boulders and rely more on the trails, the shorter the hike will be. Trust me, the trails are there, you just have to look for them and use some blasted hiking common sense. Wear water proof boots at all possible! I brought a backpack which I carried over my head while in the river at the dam area...only a couple of minutes worth of holding it. There are a few very slippery rocks...keep that in mind. If it looks green and mossy...it is going to be slippery! Best of luck! Happy hiking!

    Photos
    Hi’ilawe Falls - The River

    The River

    Hi’ilawe Falls - Bamboo Forest

    Bamboo Forest

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    The River

    Kauna'oa Beach - Mauna Kea Beach - Magic moment

    Kauna'oa Beach - Mauna Kea Beach

    4.7(88 reviews)
    285.9 mi

    Wow, how lucky we are! We got a spot! Usually, they only allow 10 parking spots open but in the…read moretemporary lot, there's many more guest beach parking The security guard at the entrance will let you know if you are able to come through and he will give you a parking pass here. They will give you a parking pass if there are spots open. Currently there is construction to build a larger parking lot to allow more than 10 parking spots so you will be sent to another parking area that allows a lot more spots. Everyone is excited for the new parking lot. This beach is really fun for boogie boarding, building sand castles, and (if you like small waves )surfing . The walk from the temporary parking lot to the beach was really nice included a lot of trees, flowers, and a garden. Tucked away behind the garden a gift shop. The gift shop also sells boogie boards, but you can bring your own

    In my humble opinion, this is the most lively beach on The Big Island. It's not black sand, it's…read morenot great for boogie boarding, it's also not packed with tourists. It's a gorgeous beach adjacent to Mauna Kea Resort, a pretty exclusive hotel and part of the autograph collection of Marriott. This is a great beach to walk end to end, in the water or on the beach. You can snorkel or swim out your one of the platforms or just lay and work on your tan. It's my solo go to beach while on the island. Afterwards there is a great beach restaurant to meander over to and imbibe and nibble. Not always an easy beach to gain access to but well worth the effort.

    Photos
    Kauna'oa Beach - Mauna Kea Beach - Kona sunset

    Kona sunset

    Kauna'oa Beach - Mauna Kea Beach - Best way to start out my week in Hawaii at 5:45am!

    Best way to start out my week in Hawaii at 5:45am!

    Kauna'oa Beach - Mauna Kea Beach - Ocean sunset

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    Ocean sunset

    Waimea Canyon State Park - parks - Updated July 2026

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