Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is an awe-inspiring natural attraction on the western side of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It’s reason enough to visit Hawaii in the first place, but if you’ll already be on Kauai, you can’t skip a stop here. From scenic drives to hiking, there’s really no wrong way to see this stunning natural wonder.
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Hiking Through Waimea Canyon Is Like Visiting Jurassic Park
Waimea Canyon State Park offers many hiking trails that vary in difficulty, but all reward hikers with scenic views. The Canyon Trail is a popular choice, providing stunning views of the canyon while leading hikers to Waipo’o Falls, a 800-foot cascading waterfall. Kalalau Valley Lookout, Pu‘u Hinahina Lookout, and Pu‘u o Kila Lookout are just a few of the lookout points from where you can admire the canyon. Guided nature walks are also available as a slightly less intense option. These walks offer a close-up look at the indigenous plants and wildlife that thrive in the region.
You really don’t even need to get out of your car to appreciate the natural beauty of this place. Waimea Canyon Drive, also known as Highway 550, is a 19-mile route filled with numerous viewpoints and pullouts offering picturesque panoramas of the canyon. You can rent a car or join an organized tour to enjoy this scenic drive.
If you really want to take the adventure to the next level, get a bird’s eye view of the canyon from a helicopter tour. With sweeping views of its lush greenery and waterfalls, this is really the only way to get a true sense of the canyon’s scale and size. 
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