Waimea Canyon State Park

Waimea Canyon State Park, on the west side of Kauai, protects a canyon roughly 14 miles long and more than 3,000 feet deep, carved by the Waimea River into layers of red and orange volcanic rock. The canyon is often called the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific,' a nickname sometimes attributed to Mark Twain, though the story behind the phrase is debated. Several overlooks along Waimea Canyon Drive offer views into the gorge as the road climbs toward neighboring Koke'e State Park. Its vivid, eroded rock layers stand in sharp contrast to the lush green vegetation typical of the rest of the island.