5 Best Lookouts: Waimea Canyon Lookout, Kalalau Lookout & More
Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park Lookouts in Kauai, Hawaii
No time to hike? Then the best way to see Waimea Canyon is from the many lookouts strategically positioned in prime viewing spots around the parks!
The Waimea Canyon lookouts offer fabulous views of the reddish brown Waimea Canyon cliffs, rugged canyon landscape, towering waterfalls, lush green valleys and the Na Pali Coast.
The lookouts in Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park are easily accessible from Waimea Canyon Drive (which becomes Koke’e Road). This is the main road through the parks, a long winding drive.
For the most part, the lookouts are right next to the parking lots, making the stops a no-brainer.
Described below are the most famous Waimea Canyon lookouts. If you are planning to visit on your own and like to hear commentary as you drive, this audio tour makes an excellent companion!
Considering a visit to Waimea Canyon? Be sure to check out our Waimea Canyon guide for all the details you need to plan!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Kauai, check out some of the top things to do in Kauai, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
Waimea Canyon Lookout
- Elevation: Approximately 3,400 feet
- Mile Marker: 10 on Waimea Canyon Drive
- Features: Offers a panoramic view of the canyon’s vast expanse, including Waipo’o Falls.
Waimea Canyon Lookout offers epic full-on views of the entire Waimea Canyon, being strategically located at a vantage elevation of 3,400 feet.
From the lookout, you can marvel at steep cliffs painted in a dramatic palette of red, orange, and brown, their layered rock surface capturing millions of years of geological history comprising volcanic eruptions, ancient seas, turbulent Waimea River and its tributaries, and nature’s erosive elements.
Directly facing you is the majestic 800-foot Waipo’o Falls cascading down into the canyon below, shrouded in a shimmering mist.
This waterfall is seasonal so to see it flowing well, visit in the winter or spring.
Waimea Canyon Lookout is at the Mile Marker 10 on Waimea Canyon Drive, and the first major lookout you see as you drive into the park.
This famous lookout over the Waimea Canyon is well-signposted, and has ample parking, public restrooms and a ramp-accessible lower viewing area. Steps lead up to the upper viewing area.
Pu’u Hinahina Lookout, Ni’ihau Lookout
- Elevation: Approximately 3,665 feet
- Mile Marker: Past 13 on Kokee Road
- Features: Provides elevated views of the canyon, with visibility extending to the island of Niihau (7th largest Hawaiian island) on clear days.
The Pu’u Hinahina Lookout provides a cross-sectional view of Waimea Canyon, allowing you to admire the full scale of what nature has accomplished, in all its glory!
The lookout is smaller than the Waimea Canyon Lookout, but the views are as impressive, if not more! On clear days, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean beyond the canyon.
The lookout also offers easy access to many trails like the Cliff Trail, the Waimea Canyon Trail and the Black Pipe Trail Loop.
On a clear day, and typically with the help of binoculars, you can see the Niihau island, the second smallest of the main Hawaiian islands.
Your best chances of spotting the island are from the adjacent Niihau Lookout (which shares the same parking lot as the Pu’u Hinahina Lookout).
The Pu’u Hinahina Lookout is well signposted and has ample parking.
Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout
- Elevation: Approximately 3,750 feet
- Mile Marker: 13 on Kokee Road
- Features: Offers views of the western side of the canyon and is close to several hiking trails.
The next big lookout after the Waimea Canyon Lookout on the Kokee Road, at mile marker 13, is the Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout.
At about 3,750 feet above sea level, this lookout is positioned to offer fantastic views of the western side of Waimea Canyon and the 800-foot Waipo’o Falls.
The Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout offers a view through the gorge, for a different perspective of the canyon, and a closer look at Waipo’o Falls.
There is no parking lot at the Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout, but you can park on the side of the road if there is a spot open. The lookout is across the street from a picnic area where there are restrooms as well as potable water.
Waimea Canyon State Park Lookouts at a Glance
| Lookout Name | Lookout Location on Hwy 550 |
| Waimea Canyon Lookout | Mile Marker 10 |
| Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout | Mile Marker 13 |
| Pu’u Hinahina Lookout | Between Mile Marker 13 and 14 |
Kalalau Lookout
- Elevation: Approximately 4,000 feet
- Mile Marker: 18 on Kokee Road
- Features: Overlooks the Kalalau Valley and provides breathtaking views of the Na Pali Coast.
The Kalalau Lookout in Koke’e State Park offers stunning views of the Na Pali Coast and the Kalalau Valley, one of the larger valleys along the Na Pali Coast. This is the famous valley at the end of the Kalalau Trail in Kauai.
The contrast between the deep blue Pacific Ocean waters and the emerald green lush valley vegetation is breathtaking.
The Kalalau Lookout is roughly 5 miles further up on Kokee Road (Highway 550) from the Puu Hinahina Lookout, and on the way back to the parking area from the lookout you get a good view of the Koke’e Observatory.
There is a large sign for the Kalalau Lookout, a parking lot, and restrooms. There are picnic tables as well.
Pu’u o Kila Lookout
- Elevation: Approximately 4,133 feet
- Mile Marker: 19 on Kokee Road
- Features: Offers a higher vantage point than Kalalau Lookout, with expansive views of the Kalalau Valley and the ocean beyond.
If you thought the Kalalau Lookout was impressive, wait till you see the views from Pu’u o Kila Lookout.
At an elevation of about 4100 feet, this lookout is one of the highest in Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park, and offers significantly better views of the Kalalau Valley and the surrounding Na Pali coast.
Besides, you can even hike a bit on the trails nearby for different viewpoints. The Pihea Trail offers views into the Kalalau Valley and even hiking a short distance along the trail offers spectacular views.
Koke’e Road ends at this lookout. There is a parking lot, plus picnic tables and restrooms. Interpretive signs tell you more about what you see.
Note: The last part of Koke’e Road that leads to the Puu O Kila Lookout is closed to vehicular traffic from March 2024 for road repairs. Pedestrian access is still open, so you can walk from the parking lot at Kalalau Lookout, about a mile each way.
Koke’e State Park Lookouts at a Glance
| Lookout Name | Lookout Location on Koke’e Road |
| Kalalau Lookout | Mike Marker 18 |
| Pu’u O Kila Lookout | Mile Marker 19 |
Other Waimea Canyon Roadside Lookouts
Apart from the lookouts we have described above, there are several unnamed lookout points along Highway 550 from which to see Waimea Canyon.
There are no designated parking areas for these lookouts, but you can park at pullouts on the side of the road.
A barrier fence protects you at these roadside viewpoints, but if you choose to stop, watch your step and stay behind the fence.
Waimea Canyon Lookouts Map
The below map marks the Waimea Canyon lookouts described above. The first six are roadside lookouts.
The other two lookouts require hikes. The Cliff Trail Lookout is a short, easy hike on a spur trail off Waipo’o Falls Trail, the Cliff Trail.
The Kilohana Lookout is at the end of the Alakai Swamp Trail, a more difficult hike, but one of the best Waimea Canyon hikes.
Tips for Visiting the Waimea Canyon Lookouts
Best Time to Visit
Usually early morning is the best time to visit any of the lookouts above, with clear views of the landscape. Later in the morning or afternoon, the clouds roll in, severely restricting views.
Photography
The lookouts are a dream come true for landscape photographers, bring all your equipment, especially the landscape lenses.
Weather
At higher elevations, weather can change quickly. Make sure you have a rainproof light jacket.
Expect showers off and on, especially in Koke’e State Park. If you arrive to a shower, wait in your car for a few minutes and your patience may be rewarded with the rain ebbing and a parting of the clouds!
Footwear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes, especially if you decide to try out some of the excellent hiking trails near the lookouts.
Wildlife
Many of Kauai’s pretty forest birds can be spotted at the lookouts and on the trails. Early morning is the best time!
Planning your Kauai itinerary? Also consider:
a sunset cruise of the Na Pali Coast ⛴️ 🌄
a guided kayaking + hiking trip to Secret Falls on the east side, 🛶 🥾 🛶
or an airplane tour over Kauai! ✈️ ✈️