We were staying on the north shore, so this was a bit of a trek on what promised to be a hot day--but it was clear. It was stunning! And notably cooler and comfortable. Many accessible walks up to viewing areas that provided a spectacular view both to the south and to the north, mountains and waterfalls. Make sure you have plenty of photo storage and full batteries. We took the advice of others here to get an early start, and even then parking was a bit of a challenge. The good news is that turnover in the parking lots is fairly quick, so we always found a spot. Parking is $10 per car, plus $5 per person, payable by card only. The ticket is valid all day. Many people packed a picnic and enjoyed the many shade picnic areas scattered around the park. They're smart, since you will want to spend more time here than you originally thought. You may think you don't need sunscreen because you're only out of the car for 15 minutes at a time, but you're wrong. Slather it on, and reapply every hour or so over midday.

The road from Waimea up through Waimea Canyon and Koke'e parks is fantastic. Be sure to drive all the way to the end to get to Kalalau lookout. The views are incredible. Along the way, be sure to stop at all the official (and unofficial...as in the side of the road) other lookouts. We spent about 3.5 hours total including lunch at the Koke'e lodge round trip from Waimea and it was worth every second. Try to go on a dry day (or in the morning) when there are less clouds.

Phenomenal lookout point! We were lucky enough to get a clear day and we could see the entire valley! The views were incredible. If visiting the canyon area, I definitely recommend heading up to this lookout point as it’s so worth it! Look for Mike marker 18!

This is technically separate from Waimea Canyon, but is all in the same general area. The lookout gives you a view out to the Na Pali coast and the view is something you just should not miss. Words won't do it justice, so go see it for yourself.