Waimea Canyon Lookout — Attraction in Kauai

Waimea Canyon Lookout is truly breathtaking! The moment you step up to the lookout, you’re greeted with the most stunning panoramic views of the canyon below. The rich layers of red, brown, and green stretch out for miles, creating a scene that feels almost unreal. You can spend hours just gazing at the sheer depth and beauty of the canyon, which is often referred to as the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’—and for good reason.

Every angle from the lookout offers a new perspective, whether it’s the deep valleys, rugged ridges, or the waterfalls in the distance. The landscape seems to change as the light shifts, and it’s a photographer’s dream! It’s not just the size of the canyon that’s awe-inspiring, but the vivid colors and textures that make it so unique.

The lookout itself is easily accessible and well-maintained, with plenty of space for visitors to take in the view. There is a fee of $5 per person and $10 per vehicle for out-of-town visitors, but for convenience, both debit and credit cards are accepted. If someone in your group has a Hawai’i driver’s license, the fee is waived entirely, so be sure to check!

I also recommend visiting Waimea Canyon State Park for those who want to explore even more of the canyon’s beauty. There are fantastic hiking trails and additional scenic viewpoints that really let you immerse yourself in this natural wonder. If you’re visiting Kauai, Waimea Canyon Lookout and the surrounding park are an absolute must-see. The views are beyond stunning and will leave you in awe long after...

Waimea Canyon is a breathtaking destination that is absolutely worth visiting.

The landscapes here are simply stunning—they exceed all expectations and cannot be fully captured in photos. Waimea Canyon is rightly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific due to its majestic, green, and colorful scenery. On one side, you can see waterfalls, and in the distance on the other side, the ocean comes into view. The panoramic shots are particularly impressive, though they hardly convey the true scale of the place.

We also noticed helicopters flying over the canyon. A helicopter tour offers the chance to see incredible views from above, including areas that are hidden from sight on the ground. If you have the opportunity, it’s worth considering this tour—it’s highly recommended.

Before entering the parking area, there is a station where you need to purchase a ticket and pay for parking. The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle and $5 per person. If you arrive early in the morning to one of the state parks, the ticket grants access to all parks on the same day and is valid until midnight. This is a great way to get the most out of your ticket if you plan to visit multiple parks in one day.

After purchasing, you should place the ticket on your car’s dashboard. There are usually staff on site to ensure that everyone has paid.

Although the drive to get here can be challenging, the experience is definitely...

There were two good views: the south canyon from the west side and the north canyon from the southwest corner of near the summit. Be aware that the ramp to view the North Canyon is very steep.

The roads between the South Canyon view and the North Canyon view are not maintained... By anyone at all.

There are potholes galore, just past the first couple viewing points, where there is a turnoff for military property. The potholes end on just the other side of the NASA property, before it becomes state property again.

I don't know what the $10 per vehicle plus $5 per person is going towards, because there is not a stock of hand soap in the bathrooms, nor can I imagine it's being devoted towards anything besides picking up the garbage bins. You would be paying for that slip representing the viewpoint admission at any of the terminals, which are at any of the viewpoints, and doing so with a credit or debit card. There is no cash, which is probably to discourage theft when unsupervised (which, as I mentioned, is probably all the time).

All that realism aside, you might take 520 one way and 522 the other way, and enjoy the view.

Regarding cell phone range, there is no cell phone coverage at all beyond a certain point at the base of the climb, such as the last signal for T-Mobile being near a farm on 522 just before the incline starts. Plan ahead for that (no anticipated calls or flight...