Drive Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

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Desert View Drive is a scenic route to the east of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim which follows the rim for 25 miles (40 km) out to the Desert View Watchtower and East Entrance. While Hopi Point is unquestionably a desirable viewpoint for sunset, it attracts crowds of people and buses, especially in the summer. Yaki and Pima Points offer spectacular views of the canyon, are less congested, and may allow you to hear the sound of the Colorado River a mile below! Yaki Point (Elevation: 7262 feet / 2213 meters) is the only viewpoint on Desert View Drive that is not accessible with a private vehicle. It can be reached using the free Kaibab Rim Route (Orange) Shuttle Bus departing from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Other points offering great east and west panoramas include Mohave, Navajo, and Desert View. Lipan Point, near Desert View, offers incredible views of the canyon with the San Francisco Peaks to the south, the distant Painted Desert, and extensive stretches of the river below. For a memorable sunrise, try Mather or Yaki Points. The Desert View services area includes the historic Watchtower, which is now the Desert View Visitor Center and bookstore, the trading post and snack bar, marketplace/general store, service station, seasonal campground, and restrooms. For visitors coming into the park via the East Entrance, a stop at Desert View provides the first views of Grand Canyon. Attractions feature some of the finest views of the Colorado River and canyon geology, the Watchtower, and the nearby Tusayan Museum highlighting the story of Native Americans at the canyon. Facilities include a visitor center and bookstore, rest rooms, seasonal campground, service station, gift shop, and general store. Perched on the rim of the canyon, the Watchtower reflects the architecture of the ancestral Puebloans in the Four Corners region. Climb the stairs for views up and down the canyon. .

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