Waimea Canyon
Driving Westward from the Poipu Resort Area along Highway 50, turn mauka / right onto Waimea Canyon Drive (Highway 550). We might suggest that, on your way back down from the Canyon, you take Kekaha Road when it presents itself after the 7 mile marker for a different scenic experience. Remember: there are no gas stations up here, so fill up your tank in Waimea town before heading up Waimea Canyon Drive.
The drive to and from the canyon is sinuous and spectacular. The wondrous scenery can capture a driver's attention. so be careful. The Canyon is a mile wide and ten miles long, pretty impressive considering the size of the island its located on.There are some wonderful hiking trails in the area, so if you plan to hike, purchase the very detailed and waterproof Northwestern Kaua`i Recreation Map which is the best one we've found. Its from Earthwalk Press, and can be found all over Kauai, including the Koke`e Store further up the road in Koke`e State Park.
The best time to see the canyon, and the wondrous views from the Kalalau Lookout, is in the morning, as clouds may move in around the noon hour, often totally obscuring all views. Such was the case on our very first visit to Waimea Canyon: we never saw a thing.
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