The most beautiful views over the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon boasts numerous breathtaking viewpoints. On this page, you’ll find the most beautiful viewpoints on the Grand Canyon South Rim, the most popular and touristy side of the Grand Canyon.
Many viewpoints can be visited with your own rental car. However, note that not all locations offer parking facilities. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus from Grand Canyon Village that takes you past all the viewpoints. In my opinion, it’s even more fun to visit various viewpoints by walking (via the Rim Trail) or by renting a bike.
On the map below, you can clearly see where all the viewpoints highlighted in this blog are located relative to each other. This allows you to easily plan which viewpoints you can conveniently combine. The central point is the Grand Canyon Visitor Center near Mather Point.
Mather Point
The most famous viewpoint of the Grand Canyon is Mather Point. This is partly due to its convenient location near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center where there is ample parking available. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the Visitor Center to Mather Point. Tip: visit Mather Point at sunrise or sunset for an unforgettable experience.
Desert View
A stunning view of the Grand Canyon can be found at the Desert View Watchtower. The viewpoint is located near the “East Entrance” to the Grand Canyon South Rim. What makes this viewpoint special is, of course, the watchtower at the edge of the Canyon. You can climb the tower, which was built in 1932, and enjoy the magnificent view. Check here for the opening hours of the Watchtower.
Ooh Aah Point
Looking for adventure? Then hike the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point. The walk is just over 1 kilometer long. You’ll make a beautiful climb and really go off the beaten path. Once you reach Ooh Aah Point, you can extend your hike to Cedar Ridge (1.9 km) or to Skeleton Point (4.3 km). Check below for the walk along all the viewpoints.
Always prepare well for a hike in the Grand Canyon. The weather conditions can be extreme, including very high temperatures. Visit the National Park Service website for more information about the South Kaibab Trail and preparation.
Hopi Point
A very accessible viewpoint over the Grand Canyon is Hopi Point. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. You can get close to the viewpoint by car, and there is a restroom building available. Moreover, you’re near other viewpoints such as Powell Point and Maricopa Point, all within walking distance (30 minutes) from each other. This viewpoint can be beautifully combined with a lovely walk along the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Walk along three viewpoints on the South Rim:
Mohave Point
About 30 minutes’ walk from Hopi Point (the previous viewpoint from this list) is Mohave Point. What’s special about this viewpoint is the beautiful view of the Colorado River. Mohave Point is almost 4.3 miles (6.9 km) from Grand Canyon Village. You can easily take the shuttle bus to visit this viewpoint (and others).
Grandview Point
One of the most popular viewpoints is Grandview Point, a 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center. At Grandview Point, you can take on the Grandview Trail, a rugged, narrow, and steep hike for experienced hikers. If you plan to do this trail, be well prepared. Consider bringing enough water, the time of day (in terms of heat and sun), and the fact that you’ll be descending on the way there and will have to climb back up. For more information, check the trail page on the National Park Service website.
Of course, you can also just visit the viewpoint at Grandview Point without hiking the trail.
Yaki Point
Yaki Point is a beautiful viewpoint on the South Rim. Yaki Point is located as the crow flies near the start of the South Kaibab Trail (to Ooh Aah Point). You can take the shuttle bus from Grand Canyon Village to Yaki Point, as parking your own car there is not possible. Walking is also an option from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. You can mostly take the Rim Trail, a beautiful walk along the edge of the Grand Canyon (with good walking paths), a walk of about 3.1 miles (5 km).
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Canyon Viewpoints
Generally, the best times to view the Grand Canyon are in the early morning or late afternoon, as the lighting is soft and the colors of the canyon and its surroundings are enhanced. In the summer, it can be very hot in the Grand Canyon, making it more pleasant to visit the viewpoints in the early morning or late afternoon/evening.
Yes, many of the viewpoints along the Grand Canyon are accessible to wheelchair users. On the South Rim, there are special parking spaces, adapted restrooms, and paths for wheelchair users at various viewpoints. There are also special shuttles that are accessible to wheelchair users, running from one viewpoint to another.
Yes, there is a difference between the view from the North Rim and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim offers a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River deep in the gorge. The view from the South Rim is also more well-known and popular than the view from the North Rim, with viewpoints like Mather Point and Yavapai Point.
The North Rim offers a different kind of view, with a more remote, wild, and rugged appearance. The view from the North Rim is generally less crowded than the South Rim and offers more varied views due to the higher elevation difference. The view from the North Rim is also greener and more forested than from the South Rim due to its higher elevation and cooler climate.
About the author
Hi, my name is Pieter. In 2009, I made my first trip to the United States. In 2012, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023, I had the opportunity to travel to this special country again. On this website, I write with great passion and pleasure about one of the most beautiful wonders of nature, the Grand Canyon. On this page, you can find all my blogs.
