You can take Waimea Canyon tours that involve hiking on the sometimes-challenging 45 miles of trails that can take you all the way down to the Pacific Ocean and the pristine, secluded Kauai beaches and sea caves of the Na Pali Coast. If this kind of physical activity is not for you, you can get an excellent glimpse of this natural wonder with views from the roads in Waimea Canyon from the comfort of a vehicle. People of all physical abilities can enjoy the spectacular Waimea Canyon road views, though there might be steps to get to some of the view spots at certain pull-off points.

The scenic views from the roads in Waimea Canyon are visible even as your rental cars make their way along the drive. Before you head off on your Waimea Canyon tours make a stop at the Kokee Museum and Ranger Station to pick up a map. This will help you identify the Waimea Canyon road views that you are seeing and give you notice of when to prepare for a photo stop. More important, you will get a list of the rules of the road and the regulations for protecting this fragile ecosystem.

In such a pristine area you need to practice the "leave no trace" philosophy, but travelers may not know that this also means you take nothing away with you. Not pebbles or twigs. Not even a dead leaf. You also may not know that nene have the right of way. A nene is the endangered goose that is the state bird of Hawaii. There are many up here, and they often prefer to walk, rather than fly. Accustomed to vehicles, they are apt to dawdle in front of your car, and your only choice is to wait for them. To learn more about these beautiful birds, you can visit the National Tropical Botanical Garden at the Limahuli Preserve, located west of Hanalei on the Na Pali Coast.

Kauai Map