Located on the western side of the island of Kauai, Hawaii in Waimea Canyon State Park is Waimea Canyon the Grand Canyon of Hawaii and the Pacific. Waimea Canyon is roughly 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and reaches depths of 3,500 feet. The real Grand Canyon in Arizona is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and reaches depths of 6,000 feet so Waimea Canyon is dwarfed by the Grand Canyon. But Waimea Canyon is by far the largest and most impressive canyon in Hawaii and in the Pacific region.

Image Source by Kyle Pearce

Waimea Canyon was carved out by the Waimea River and rainwater that has abundantly flowed from the summit of Mount Waialeale which averages well over 400 inches of rain per year and is one of the wettest places in the world. Water from the river and runoff combined with lines in the canyon walls formed from lava flows over the centuries have beautifully carved up the canyon to create a magnificent natural scenic wonder in Hawaii.

Image Source by roadman22

In addition to being in Waimea Canyon State Park the Grand Canyon of Hawaii and the Pacific is also protected by neighboring Koke'e State Park. Visitors can reach Waimea Canyon along State Highway 550 which is also known as Waimea Canyon Drive and Kokee Road on the island of Kauai. There are many amazing viewpoints and lookouts along the road that offer visitors fantastic views of the Grand Canyon of Hawaii.

Image Source by Aaronbernstein

It is not at all unusual to see waterfalls gracefully descending down the walls of Waimea Canyon which only adds to the beauty of this place.

Image Source by coconut wireless

Though not as large or deep as the Grand Canyon some aspects of Waimea Canyon are even more spectacular than the Grand Canyon since parts of Waimea Canyon does have lush green vegetation growing in abundance.

Image Source by e.t

There are 1,866 acres in Waimea Canyon State Park and another 4,345 acres in Koke'e State Park that contain Waimea Canyon. Both state parks have numerous hiking trails that run through the Grand Canyon of Hawaii as well as many scenic viewpoints and overlooks.

Image Source by Miguel Vieira

For many visitors and tourists a trip to Kauai and Hawaii is not complete without a visit to Waimea Canyon the Grand Canyon of Hawaii and the Pacific.

For more see Beautiful Lighthouses in Hawaii

8 Great Ways to Tour and Visit the Grand Canyon

Montmorency Falls is a Beautiful Tourist Attraction Waterfall in Quebec, Canada

Beautiful Castles in Colorado

Beautiful Castles in Minnesota

10 Largest Homes in the United States

Sources:http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai/index.cfm?park_id=4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waimea_Canyon_State_Park