Grand Canyon View Points

View Points At The Grand Canyon

There are many viewpoints along the rim of the Grand Canyon. Listed below are our suggestions of don't miss viewpoints. You will also discover many un-named pull-outs along the road that follows the rim. We urge you to slow down and "smell the roses".

The walkway along the rim in the Grand Canyon Village is our favorite. It is an easy stroll along the rim beside Verkamp's Visitor Center, The Hopi House, The El Tovar Hotel, lodges along the rim, Bright Angel Lodge, Kolb Studio and Lookout Studio.

Desert View Watchtower - Four miles from the national park boundary, Desert View offers the first glimpse of the Grand Canyon for visitors arriving from the east. They have a nice bookstore, and a gift store in the tower.

Grandview Point - Grandview has magnificent views of the Canyon and is one of the highest points on the South Rim. This lookout point is at 7,400 feet and is the southernmost point on Grand Canyon's south rim.

Hermit's Rest - Hermits Rest is the westernmost point on the canyon's south rim that is accessible by paved road. It has a gift store, rest rooms and cafe. It was built as a rest area for tourists on coaches operated by the Fred Harvey Company. Be sure to check out Hermit Road.

Hopi - Much more of the western Grand Canyon comes into full view here. Hopi Point has a fenced viewing area next to the road with a vista over the canyon.

Lipan - Lipan Point is on top of a small hill 80' feet above the surround area that provides fantastic views.The first two of over 100 sets of rapids on the river can be seen from here.

Lookout Studio - Perched on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, Lookout Studio is a place where history, culture, and nature all come together. The Lookout, is a stone building that is part of the Grand Canyon Village Historic District, and is part of the Mary Jane Colter Buildings National Historic Landmark.

Maricopa - At Maricopa Point the edge of the Grand Canyon forms a narrow promontory, extending northeast for 100 feet before dropping away vertically. The views from Maricopa encompass over 180° of the Grand Canyon, with no significant obstructions between here and the river.

Mather - The majority of visitors to the South Rim first gaze over the Grand Canyon at Mather Point. Mather is the number one choice as it is closes to the entrance station, and a short walk from the visitor center.

Mohave - Mohave Point has a fine view of the near vertical, 3,000 foot high cliffs that encircle The Abyss. Below about one half mile of river is visible, including Boucher Rapids and Granite Rapids.

Moran - Moran is one of the most visited points on the east rim drive, and offers far reaching views. It is named after the landscape painter Thomas Moran who came here for the first time in 1873 and helped popularize the canyon, leading eventually to its incorporation as a national monument in 1908 and a national park in 1919.

Navajo - Navajo Point offers a great view of the Colorado's 'big bend' area. At 7,498 feet, Navajo is the highest spot anywhere on the south rim.

Pima - The canyon edge is quite densely wooded and the overlook is at the end of a side canyon. From Pima Point, at the northernmost corner of a wide promontory, there is nothing to block a vista of over 40 miles along the Grand Canyon.

Powell - Powell Point has a granite memorial to John Wesley Powell, erected to commemorate his two groundbreaking explorations of the Colorado River in 1869 and 1872.

Shoshone - Basic facilities including picnic tables and fire grills are there, but use of these requires advance permission from the NPS. The point is not signposted and is reached by a pleasant, level, 20 minute walk through open ponderosa pine woodland.

Yaki - Yaki is at the end of a 1.5 mile side road that starts 2 miles east of the US 180 road junction, near the national park entrance, this is a hidden gem. Entry to all private vehicles has stopped and now access is either on foot - by parking at a nearby picnic area.

Yavapai - From the South Rim, you can look down onto to the serpentine Colorado River and spot the Phantom Ranch. This popular lookout point offers views of the North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails as well. The Yavapai Observation Station has lots of information and a bookstore.