Waimea Canyon Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
protected area of Kauai County, Hawaii, United States
About Waimea Canyon
Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water", a reference to the erosion of the canyon's red soil. The canyon was formed by a deep incision of the Waimea River arising from the extreme rainfall on the island's central peak, Mount Waiʻaleʻale, among the wettest places on earth. The canyon has a unique geologic history as it was formed by the steady process of erosion and also by a catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created Kauaʻi. Like the other Hawaiian islands, Kauaʻi is the top of an enormous volcano rising from the ocean floor. With lava flows dated to about 5 million years ago, Kauaʻi is the oldest of the large Hawaiian islands. Roughly 4 million years ago, while Kauaʻi was still erupting almost continuously, a portion of the island collapsed. This collapse formed a depression which t
Top Attractions in Waimea Canyon
Explore the best things to see and do in Waimea Canyon:
- ★Kokee State Park
- ★Waimea Canyon State Park
Waimea Canyon Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: