Can You Hike Waimea Canyon?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you hike Waimea Canyon? One of the most popular and scenic trails in Waimea Canyon,

the Canyon Trail branches off of the Cliff Trail and is a 3.4 mile round trip that takes two to three hours to complete and enjoy

. About halfway down the trail, hikers will reach Waipo’o Falls, a gorgeous 800 foot cascading waterfall.

Do you need a permit to hike Waimea Canyon Trail?

Hours Daily During Daylight Hours Trail Names Iliau Nature Loop Kukui Trail

How long does it take to hike to Waimea Falls?

It should take you about

20 to 30 minutes

to reach the Waimea Falls (also known as the Wailele Waterfall), which is anchored at the end of the trail. You will be rewarded with the stunning presence of a 30-foot waterfall that cascades down into a large pool below.

Do you have to pay to go to Waimea Canyon?

Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park fees:

Resident: no charge

. Visitor: $5.00 per vehicle. Pedestrian, moped, motorcycle $1.00 dollar per person.

Where can I park at Waimea Canyon Trail?

Parking and access to Waimea Canyon Trail

Hop back in your vehicle and continue on Kokee Road / Highway 550.

After mile 13 and the Pu’u Ka Pele lookout, you’ll get to a parking area

. This is where the trailhead is.

How hard is Waimea Canyon hike?


Easy Trail

.

A short, easy trail leading to an overlook of Waimea Canyon. Feral goats frequent the cliff walls. If you don’t have a 4-wheel drive, you will start this hike at the Halemanu trailhead right off Kokee Road. You’ll walk down the dirt Halemanu Road for roughly 3/4 of a mile to a parking lot.

Do you need a reservation for Waimea?

Entrance and Parking Fees: As of April 2021, all non-Hawaii resident visitors must pay both an entrance ($5 per person) and a parking fee ($10 per vehicle). These fees are paid upon arrival, when parking, at a kiosk.

No prior reservation is required

.

Can you swim in Waimea Canyon?

Even though you can’t swim at the bottom of the towering 700ft waterfall deep in the heart of Waimea Canyon (also called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific),

you definitely CAN swim in one of the two smaller waterfalls on the same Koke’e Stream further upstream

.

Can you walk to Waimea Falls?

The

3.5-mile hike

, which is mostly along flat, paved ground, is well worth doing as the path meanders through the magnificent gardens and historical sites. A visit to Waimea Falls is very much a cultural experience if you take the time to relax and enjoy the surrounds.

Can you jump off Waimea Falls?

Waimea Falls Cliff Jump

Waimea Falls is also known for its cliff jumping area.

If you decide to jump here, please do so at your own risk and take extra precautions

. Multiple people have died here due to striking large rocks that are not visible from the perches.

What time should I go to Waimea Canyon?

The light is better in the

early morning or late afternoon

depending on which lookout so being able to visit twice is ideal. By 11 am you start getting the crowds and parking can be an issue at some the lookouts. Late afternoon is also a great time for sunset views.

Does Waimea Canyon require a permit?

Effective April 19, 2021,

out-of-state visitors to Kauai’s Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park will be required to purchase both entrance and parking permits

. Parking permits were first required in June 2019, with a $5 fee per private vehicle. That fee is now $10.

What time does Waimea open?

Open Monday through Sunday

9 am to 5 pm

Waimea Valley will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Can you drive to Waimea Canyon Lookout?

You can see the Waimea Canyon by road and see many amazing scenic spots right from your car. To physically access it,

you will either have to drive to the lookouts

or take on a hiking trail. The drive to Waimea Canyon is one of the most interesting road trips to have on the island.

Can you hike to Wailua Falls?

Second, unlike many other Kauai waterfalls, Wailua Falls is easily accessible, as

no hiking is needed

to reach it and appreciate its beauty up close. In fact, the parking lot basically overlooks the falls.

How do I get to canyon trail Waimea?

Directions from Waimea:

Follow Highway 550 northward into Koke’e State Park.

Turn right on to Halemanu Drive, which is a short distance past mile fourteen. Follow this road to the Halemanu-Koke’e Trailhead. (A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary on this road if rain is in the forecast.)

What does Waimea mean in Hawaiian?

Waimea, town, Kauai county, southwestern Kauai island, Hawaii, U.S. Waimea, whose name means “

Reddish Water

,” is situated on Waimea Bay at the mouth of the Waimea River.

Can you drive Kalalau Lookout?

Kalalau Valley is part of the Na Pali Coast and

there are no roads to it

. The closest you can get to it by car is this overlook. The valley itself is two miles wide and one the widest on Kauai’s west side. To get here, take Highway 50 west from Hanapepe toward Waimea.

How much does it cost to hike Waimea Falls?

Yes, it’s

$16 for adult, $12 for senior & students, $8 for child

. TheY also have discounts for Kama’aina/Military withID as well as family & group rates. A family pass is for 2 adults & up to 6 children for $100. Beautiful walk with waterfall at end, great for photographing.

How long do you need at Waimea Valley?

How long should I plan to visit Waimea Valley? I would plan on spending

at least 2-4 hours

in Waimea Valley. Your stay could be longer depending on much time you spend playing Hawaiian games and swimming in the waterfalls.

Is Waimea Falls hike hard?


Generally considered an easy route

, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Is Waimea Falls hike kid friendly?

The paved trail at Waimea Valley is . 75 miles each way and is

suitable for children and strollers

. The best part about this short trail is that there is so much to see and do along the way, for both adults and children.

Do you have to pay to go to Waimea Bay?

Entrance to Waimea Valley is

$20 for adults and $12 for children

, no entry fee is required to eat at the cafe.

Does Waimea Falls have leptospirosis?

Although tropical retreats like Waimea Falls look inviting,

visitors need to heed any warning signs suggesting Leptospirosis may be present

. Wear gloves when disposing of dead animals and when gutting (cleaning) livestock or game animals.

How deep is the water at Waimea Bay?

Water Entrance

Snorkeling Waimea Bay is primarily from either end of the beach. The center has a sandy bottom that is

about 30 feet deep

, and sometimes the dolphins are there, so avoid snorkeling this area. Walk to the end of the beach you intend to snorkel and enter in bare feet.

Can you jump off the rock at Waimea Bay?


You can jump from either side of the rock

; but be aware that the back side (facing the edge of the bay) has a rockier bottom, whereas the front side (facing the bay) has an almost entirely sandy bottom.

Can you swim at Waimea Bay?

Waimea Bay Beach Park

Waimea is famous for its 30-foot waves in the winter and is a top place to watch some of the world’s best and bravest surfers.

During summer, the water calms considerably and is a great destination for swimming, snorkeling and diving

.

Do you need reservations to hike in Kauai?


DAY-USE RESERVATIONS OR A VALID CAMPING PERMIT, AND PARKING RESERVATIONS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE KALALAU TRAIL

. The Kalalau Trail is one of the adventurous hiking trails in the world. Originally built in the late 1800s, the trail serves as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast via land.

How big is the Waimea Canyon?

How do I get to canyon trail Waimea?

Directions from Waimea:

Follow Highway 550 northward into Koke’e State Park.

Turn right on to Halemanu Drive, which is a short distance past mile fourteen. Follow this road to the Halemanu-Koke’e Trailhead. (A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary on this road if rain is in the forecast.)

Can you hike to Wailua Falls?

Second, unlike many other Kauai waterfalls, Wailua Falls is easily accessible, as

no hiking is needed

to reach it and appreciate its beauty up close. In fact, the parking lot basically overlooks the falls.

Can you get to the bottom of Waipoo Falls?

How long does it take to hike Kuilau Ridge trail?

Check out this 3.6-mile out-and-back trail near Kapaʻa, Kauai. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of

1 h 43 min

to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.