Correct me if I'm wrong, the closest drive to the entrance of the Waimea Canyon is Poipu vs. princeville?
Reading some of the posts in here, I got the impression that many ppl were driving to the Waimea Canyon from Princeville, help~

It's my understanding that you can only drive the Waimea Canyon from the town of Waimea, and farther West taking Kokee Road out of Kekaha. I've never been there (19 days and a wake up ), but that's what the maps show.

Aloha - Yes, you can only access Waimea Canyon from the west side of the island, either by Waimea Canyon Rd. in Waimea or Kokee Rd. in Kekaha. It would really be big news if there was a shortcut from Princeville!

From Princeville, you drive clockwise all the way down to and through Poipu to get to the Waimea Canyon entrance. No roads traverse the west coast of Kauai between Princeville and the canyon because of the rugged terrain that forms the Na Pali coastline.

I'd better correct myself a bit here. Look at the map inside the back cover of Kauai Revealed. You don't actually take the turnoff TO Poipu (hwy 520). You keep going on hwy 50 through Kalaheo and on to Waimea Canyon. I was just trying to convey the relationship of Princeville to Poipu to Waimea Canyon. - But you get the idea...

cool! thanks for the confirmation here.

Now that we're on the subject of the Waimea Canyon, there are several offshoots of Waimea Canyon Drive (Makahi Ridge Road, Milohi Ridge Road, Kauhao, Kaaweiki, Polihale, etc). Are these roads accessible, or would one need a 4-wheel drive vehicle? Looks like they might lead to some scenic sites. One could spend a greater portion of the day exploring these Ridge Roads.

Hmm, Budman:-? - good question...as I picture Waimea Canyon Drive from our many visits there, the offshoots are basically dirt roads, probably more suitable for 4WD, but I defer to auntiemaria for the most informed answer!

Having hiked a few times in the canyon, some of the trails were actually dirt roads. Once or twice we had to step to the side to allow vehicles to pass. I wouldn't want to try them without knowing more.