The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery.
The canyon was created by the Colorado River over a 5.4 million year period. The canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles (6.4 to 29 km) and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet). Nearly two billion years of the Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. The "canyon began in the west, followed by another that formed in the east. Eventually, the two broke through and met as a single majestic rent in the earth, more commonly referred to as the "Grand Canyon Event" approximately 5.4 million years ago. [...] The merger apparently occurred where the river today bends to the west, in the area known as the Kaibab Arch." The major form of the canyon was created by this event. The Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to the point we see it as today.
It might be considered silly to try and determine the must-see sights for Grand Canyon National Park when in fact the whole Grand Canyon is one big must-see. After all, visitors will be overwhelmed, and possibly forever changed, when glimpsing this great natural abyss.
Still, we've tried our best to discern what the absolute must-see sights are for you when experiencing Grand Canyon National Park.
Before European immigration, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon ("Ongtupqa" in Hopi language) a holy site and made pilgrimages to it. The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, who arrived in 1540.
SOUTH RIM
ALONG DESERT VIEW ROAD:
Typically the most popular, first-time views of Grand Canyon occur at either Mather Point or Yavapai Point. Mather Point is situated at just over 7,000 feet elevation and is named after the park's first superintendent, Stephen Mather. Visitors will be awe-struck by the view before them. Far below your view is Phantom Ranch, at the canyon's base.
Yavapai Point affords panoramic views of Havasupai Point to the west and Desert View to the east. If the stunning views aren't enough, enjoy a ranger talk and/or walk beginning at this point each day. Be sure to enjoy the interpretation provided by Yavapai Observation Station, including three-dimensional geological displays, photographs, and interpretive panels which allow park visitors to see and understand the intriguing geologic story the Grand Canyon has to tell. Gain a better understanding about the canyon's exposed rock layers, the uplift of the Colorado Plateau and the carving of the Grand Canyon.
Desert View.
To see this spectacular vantage of the Grand Canyon, leave Grand Canyon Village and follow the canyon rim east for 26 miles to Desert View, which is situated at the East Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Along the way be sure to stop and take in the sights and views at the following overlooks.
Yaki Point.
During peak tourism season, the Yaki Point Road and Kaibab Trail Parking Lot are closed to private vehicle traffic. Access is by shuttle bus only. At Yaki Point, enjoy yet another stunning panoramic view of the Grand Canyon from the south rim.
Grandview Point.
Well the name certainly says it all when it comes to this must-see sight. Situated at just below 7,500 feet, this is probably the most grand view of Grand Canyon. You'll see prominent buttes including Rama Shrine, Krishna Shine, Vishnu Shrine and Shiva Temple, and you'll glimpse a tiny stretch of the Colorado River far below as well.
Moran Point.
Named for famous painter Thomas Moran, the views from this overlook will not disappoint. Enjoy views of the expansion Grand Canyon, which are directly south of Cape Royal, situated on the North Rim.
Lipan Point.
This sight is accessed by taking a short spur road about a mile north of the main scenic drive along the South Rim. This vantage offers almost a 360-degree panorama.
Desert View Watchtower.
Constructed in 1932 as a replica of a prehistoric Indian tower, the Desert View Watchtower commands a magnificent view of the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert to the east and the San Francisco Peaks to the south. Mary Colter's goal was to build a tower that would provide the widest view possible of Grand Canyon while keeping harmony with its natural surroundings. She succeeded. The Watchtower first opened in 1933 and is at the eastern-most point of the Grand Canyon's South Rim. The watchtower is made of stone, and Colter's masonry mastery creates a visual depth that is unmatched. This seventy-foot tower is the highest point on the South Rim and its interior walls of the tower feature murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie.
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE
El Tovar Hotel.
This is the premier lodging option on the Grand Canyon's South Rim, and given its history, it's a sight to see. Built in 1905 and renovated a few years ago, the El Tovar is perched on the rim offering grand views and elegant charm. The historic hotel features a fine dining room (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), lounge and curio shop with newsstand. El Tovar offers its guests Concierge, turn-down and room service, and is a Registered National Historic Landmark. Stop in to take a step back in time while marveling at this historic hotel.
ALONG WEST END OF SOUTH RIM:
Hermit's Rest.
Visitors can choose among nine overlooks to take in the various breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon while traveling the west end of the South Rim on Hermit's Road. Most of the Hermit's Road experience is due to its historic significance. The road was designed in 1934-35 by the Bureau of Public Roads, and the National Park Service. (From March through November, this road can be accessed by shuttle bus only). Visitors can easily take in the stunning vistas this road affords access to. Exceptional sights to include while enjoying the shuttle along Hermit's Road include Hopi, Maricopa and Pima points. A highlight will be taking in The Abyss, which drops some 3,000 feet. There is no better name for this vantage! From the Abyss, visitors can see the Tonto Plateau, as well as the Colorado River, far below.
ALONG NORTH RIM:
There are two sights along the North Rim that should absolutely be included on your Grand Canyon North Rim travel itinerary: Cape Royal and Point Imperial. Cape Royal is situated at almost 8,000 feet and is the southernmost vantage on the North Rim. Cape Royal is spectacular and provides the closest thing to a total panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. Point Imperial
GRAND CANYON WEST
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is not located near the South or North Rim. Rather, it is located at Grand Canyon West, an area owned by the Hualapai Tribe. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped walkway that extends almost 70 feet out into the Grand Canyon. Visitors on the Skywalk, which has a clear, 4-inch-thick glass bottom, peer over the railing, or down through their stance to see the Canyon and all of its 4,000 feet of vertical abyss. Click here to learn more about the Grand Canyon Skywalk and its location.
HAVASU FALLS
Havasu Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the world. Ask anyone who has been there, or look at a photo of video of the waterfall and surrounding area and it's likely you'll believe it's one of the most beautiful images to behold in the United State. The blue-green, 100-foot-high waterfall plunges into a series of pools, which make for phenomenal swimming holes. NOTE: Great experiences come to those willing to hike… and sometimes long distances. Havasu Falls is enjoyed following a 10-mile hike from the trailhead, situated on Hualapai Hilltop. But non-hikers don't fret: you can opt for a guided horseback ride, or a mule trip, arranged with the tribe on the Hualapai Reservation. To get to the trailhead to Havasu Falls, plus three other waterfalls, it's a little more than a 60-mile drive north of Historic Route 66.
is the highest overlook in the Grand Canyon, situated at almost 9,000 feet! It's yet one more spectacular view for visitors to see.
