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. Along the way, six developed canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, and five unmarked pullouts are accessible with private vehicles, in addition to the Tusayan Ruin and Museum.

The Desert View services area includes the Watchtower and gift shop, trading post and snack bar, bookstore and information center, Marketplace, service station, campground, and restrooms.

Desert View Drive map (PDF)

NPS/Marge Ullmann

View from Pipe Creek Vista.

Pipe Creek Vista

This pullout can be accessed by private vehicle or by using the free Kaibab Trail Route (Green) Shuttle, departing from Canyon View Information Plaza. The rim trail also begins here, with a 1.3 mile / 2.1 km walk on a paved trail to Mather Point.

NPS/Marge Ullmann

View from Yaki Point of O'Neill Butte below Cedar Ridge on the South Kaibab Trail.

Yaki Point
(Elevation: 7262 feet / 2213 meters)

Yaki Point is the only viewpoint on Desert View Drive that is not accessible with a private vehicle. It can be reached using the free Kaibab Trail Route (Green) Shuttle, departing from Canyon View Information Plaza.
Yaki Point is a quiet place from which to enjoy sunset or sunrise.
Restrooms are located here.

NPS/Marge Ullmann

View to the west from Grandview Point.

Grandview Point
(Elevation: 7399 feet / 2256 meters)

This popular viewpoint offers panoramic views of Grand Canyon from east to west, including several bends of the Colorado River to the east.
The Grandview Trail begins here. This trail is VERY steep! In the summer much of the trail is in full sun. In the winter ice and snow can make hiking treacherous. Always use caution on the Grandview Trail.

NPS/Marge Ullmann

The Colorado River is a prominent feature below Moran Point.

Moran Point
(Elevation: 7160 feet / 2182 meters)

Geology is a prominent feature at any Grand Canyon viewpoint but at Moran Point three main rock groups are clearly visible. The Layered Paleozoic Rocks represent the sedimentary rocks that make up most of the Grand Canyon's depth. The Grand Canyon Supergroup represents a significant portion of the canyon's geologic record even though it is only in isolated remnants, visible at only a few spots along the rim. The Vishnu Basement Rocks are the oldest at the canyon, consisting of both metamorphic and igneous rock.

NPS/Marge Ullmann

A large kiva, or ceremonial room, can be seen at the Tusayan Ruin.

Tusayan Ruin and Museum

The Tusayan Ruin is the remains of a small ancestral Puebloan village. A relatively flat 0.1 mile (200 meter) trail wraps around the ruin and offers the opportunity to learn more about the place and the people who once called this home.
The Tusayan Museum and Bookstore has displays that help bring the ruin to life.
A picnic area and restrooms are located here.

NPS/Marge Ullmann

View of Unkar Delta and the Grand Canyon Supergroup along the Colorado River below Lipan Point.

Lipan Point
(Elevation: 7360 feet / 2243 meters)

From this viewpoint can be seen several points of interest. Hance Rapid is one of the many powerful whitewater rapids along the Colorado River. Unkar Delta was once home to ancestral Puebloan people and is the site of active archeological study. The Grand Canyon Supergroup is a unique rock at Grand Canyon, found exposed at only a few places within the canyon.

NPS/Marge Ullmann

Several bends of the Colorado River are easily seen from Navajo Point.

Navajo Point
(Elevation: 7461 feet / 2275 meters)

Just a few minutes west of the Desert View Watchtower, this viewpoint offers a great view of the tower as well as panoramic vistas.

NPS/Marge Ullmann

The Colorado River sweeps through the canyon below Desert View.

Desert View
(Elevation: 7438 feet / 2267 meters)

The view from the base of the watchtower is spectacular. The Colorado River races below and the Painted Desert disappears into the western horizon.
Services include the Watchtower and gift shop, trading post and snack bar, bookstore and information center, Marketplace, service station, campground, and restrooms.