For those of you who have never been to the Grand Canyon, close your eyes and imagine how big you think it is. It’s bigger than that. Nothing can quite compare to seeing it in person and realizing how vast the canyon is. It looks like it goes on forever until it dips into the horizon. There are 20 Viewpoints along the Grand Canyon South Rim. The only complaint I have ever heard from the visitors was that the viewpoints began to blend into the same view after a while. Personally, I could stare at the Grand Canyon from any angle for hours and not want for more, but I can sympathize with their perspective. So to ease the setup of planning your Grand Canyon National Park trip, these are the must-see Viewpoints that offer the most diverse views of one of the seven wonders of the world.
Desert View Watchtower
If you work your way from east to west, you can avoid the congestion which hangs around the Visitor Center. In this scenario, your first stop is at the Desert View Watchtower. The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder. At the Desert View Overlook, man and nature merge to form the Watchtower which rises 70 feet off the edge of the canyon. You can take the stairs up to the top of the tower and glance through the glazed windows but the best view comes from looking east at the platform near the base.
Hopi Point
To get to Hopi Point, you’ll have to ditch the car at the Grand Canyon Village and jump on the red shuttle towards Hermit Rest. Hopi Point offers the broadest view of the canyon. Its a favorite spot for sunrise and sunset.
Mohave Point
Mohave Point is comprised of several viewing platforms. Even during the busiest times, you can find a moment of solitude and have the canyon to yourself. After being sardined in the shuttle bus, you’ll genuinely appreciate getting away from people, trust me. Mohave Point will give you views off the 3,000 foot high cliffs that form The Abyss. Mohave Point is one of the few points where you can hang your head over the rail and make eye contact with the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Pima Point
While the view is excellent, the sound lures you to the overlook. Pima Point is the only viewpoint where you can hear the echos of the Colorado river hopscotching their way up the canyon walls. The traveling sound accompanies the best views of the Colorado and its powerful rapids. Pima Point is also a prime spot for sunset photos.
Final Thoughts
To be clear, there are no bad views of the Grand Canyon South Rim. The viewpoints listed above are just the ones with unique characteristics. You should try to visit as many overlooks as possible. If you need help, here is how we saw the length of Grand Canyon National Park in one day.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.