Waimea Canyon Lookout

The Waimea Canyon of Kauai is a phenomenal sight to behold from its various lookouts and several available trails. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the nearly 10-mile-long canyon dives down to 3,000 feet below the rim. From the main lookout you can see a vast swath of the canyon all at once as well as the beautiful Waipoo Falls as it cascades 800 feet down the red dirt walls. In addition to erosion, the canyon was formed by the collapse of a volcanic caldera possibly 4 million years ago. Koke'e Road is a long and windy drive that takes you high up to the canyon rim. If the day calls for rain, you might not be able to see much, which can be disappointing considering its remote location. Even on sunny days it is common to have bad weather from this lookout because of the high elevation, strong winds, and heavy moisture that condenses as it climbs the canyon walls. There are bathrooms available for visitors, and there are no fees to enter the area or the lookout.