Desert View Drive

Drop-down Index of Locations and Scenic Overlooks Described On This Page Navigation

 

Open to private vehicles, Desert View Drive travels along the South Rim of the canyon 23 miles (37 km) between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View.

 

Most Desert View Facilities Are Open

Updated October 20, 2021. This page is about the scenic overlooks between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View. For an updated list of available Desert View services and their hours of operation click here >

 

The 23 mile (37 km) long Desert View Drive features marvelous panoramic views of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. There is parking at every viewpoint.

Along Desert View Drive

Desert View Drive portion of SR 64 is a scenic road that begins near Grand Canyon Village. Private vehicles can drive east along the canyon rim for 23 miles (37 km) to the Desert View Services Area, and the East Entrance of Grand Canyon National Park.

What's Along the Desert View Drive portion of SR 64:

• Six developed canyon viewpoints
• Four picnic areas
• Five unmarked pullouts
• Tusayan Museum and ruin site (Ancestral Puebloan) CLOSED

Desert View Drive begins at the juction with South Entrance Road: Mile Marker 241.5

 

There is just one scenic drive open to private cars on the South Rim, Desert View Drive. The 22 mile (35 km) long Desert View Drive features marvelous panoramic views of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. There is parking at every viewpoint. Most Desert View services remain closed at this time. Be sure to bring enough food and water for everyone in your group. 4/8/2021

 

The view looking north from Pipe Creek Vista.

Pipe Creek Vista

Mile Marker 242.5

This pullout can be accessed by private vehicle or by using the free Kaibab Rim (Orange Route) Shuttle Bus, departing from Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Since this is the first view of the canyon along Desert View Drive, it can be a congested area with limited parking.

The Canyon Rim Trail may be accessed here, with a 1.3 mile / 2.1 km walk west on a paved footpath to Mather Point, or a 0.8 mile / 1.3 km walk east on a paved footpath to the South Kaibab Trailhead.

 

Rock formations provide food for thought. What shape do you see?

Duck on a Rock

(Elevation: 7,096 feet / 2,162 meters) Mile Marker 246

Grand Canyon’s seemingly endless rock formations evoke shapes that only our imaginations can bring to life. Early mapmakers saw castles and temples in the rocks. Decade after decade, visitors have come to this spot to look for the “Duck on a Rock.” What do you see?

Duck on a Rock is the next canyon viewpoint beyond Pipe Creek Overlook.

 

View from Grandview Point.

Grandview Point

(Elevation: 7399 feet / 2256 meters) Mile Marker 251

This popular viewpoint offers panoramic views of Grand Canyon from east to west, including several bends of the Colorado River to the east.

The historic 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.

 

Moran Point, named after the painter, Thomas Moran, features a wide pallet of colors.

Moran Point

(Elevation: 7160 feet / 2182 meters) Mile Marker 258

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. The Basement Rocks are the oldest at the canyon, consisting of both metamorphic and igneous rock.

 

A outline of a large kiva, or ceremonial room, can be seen within the pueblo

Tusayan Pueblo & Museum CLOSED

Mile Marker 262
Tusayan Pueblo 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. Note: Tusayan Pueblo and Musuem remain closed untill further notice due to concerns about COVID-19. Updated: 3/27/2021

Download Tusayan Ruin Trail Guide (820kb pdf)

Adjacent to the pueblo, the Tusayan Museum and Bookstore have displays that help bring the ruin to life. A picnic area and restrooms are also located here.

 

View from Lipan point with Vishnu Temple breaking through the clouds.

Lipan Point

(Elevation: 7360 feet / 2243 meters) Mile Marker 263.5

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 strata at Grand Canyon, visible to this extent from only a few places on the South Rim.

 

Desert View Watchtower can be seen from Navajo point.

Navajo Point

(Elevation: 7461 feet / 2275 meters) Mile Marker 264

Just a few minutes west of the Desert View Watchtower, this viewpoint offers a great view of the watchtower as well as panoramic vistas to the west and a view north up the Colorado River.

Navajo Point is the highest overlook on the South Rim - unless one is standing on the top observation deck of the watchtower itself. The top of the tower measures slightly higher.

 

The Colorado River sweeps through the canyon below Desert View.

Desert View

(Elevation: 7438 feet / 2267 meters) Mile Marker 264.5

• A short ¼-mile (402 m) walk leads from the parking area, past historic buildings, to the rim.
• From Desert View Point you can see the Colorado River make a big bend to the west.
• Historic Desert View Watchtower is located here.
• Here's the 2021 season list of Desert View Services > and their current hours of operation.
• The Desert View Campground has closed for the winter.