Photo spots nearby
What to see near El Tovar Hotel
Walk west along the Rim Trail as the canyon holds its color longest at Hopi Point, where the South Rim juts out far enough that the gorge opens on three sides around you. The scale does something to your sense of proportion that photographs never quite prepare you for. Mather Point is closer and worth the short walk east simply to stand at the railing and let the layers of red and violet stone settle into you. If you have time for a drive, Lipan Point offers the broadest glimpse of the Colorado River winding far below, and the Desert View Watchtower at the eastern edge of the park frames the canyon through Mary Colter's windows in a way that feels genuinely earned.
Within 25 miles · ranked by scenic score
8 Places Worth Seeing
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Hopi Point
Hopi Point is widely considered one of the best sunset viewpoints on the South Rim, projecting far out into the canyon for nearly 180-degree views. The Colorado River is visible in both directions, and major formations including Isis Temple and Shiva Temple are prominent features. It is accessible via the Hermit Road shuttle during peak season.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Mather Point
One of the most visited viewpoints on the South Rim, Mather Point offers a sweeping panorama of the Grand Canyon with multiple layered buttes and the Colorado River visible far below. The point features two projecting overlooks connected by a paved path from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. It is often the first canyon viewpoint visitors encounter upon arriving at the South Rim.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Grandview Point
Grandview Point stands at 7,399 feet on the South Rim and offers views of Horseshoe Mesa and the Grandview Trail, one of the canyon's oldest maintained trails. The viewpoint provides a different perspective than the more central South Rim viewpoints, with the Sinking Ship formation and prominent buttes visible. It was historically the site of the Last Chance copper mine on Horseshoe Mesa.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Bright Angel Point
Bright Angel Point is the primary viewpoint on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, reached by a short 0.5-mile round-trip paved trail from the Grand Canyon Lodge. The narrow promontory offers views into Roaring Springs Canyon and Bright Angel Canyon with the South Rim visible in the distance. The North Rim sits approximately 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, providing a distinct perspective.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Cape Royal
Cape Royal is the southernmost viewpoint on the North Rim's Walhalla Plateau, offering expansive views of the canyon including Angels Window, a natural arch eroded through a narrow fin of rock. The 0.6-mile round-trip paved trail to the point passes through a ponderosa and piñon forest. It provides one of the widest panoramic views available from the North Rim.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Lipan Point
Lipan Point on the South Rim offers one of the broadest views of the Colorado River and the canyon's exposed geological record, including the Great Unconformity and the Grand Canyon Supergroup. The Unkar Delta, an ancient Ancestral Puebloan farming area along the river, is clearly visible from this viewpoint. It is a favored location for both sunrise and sunset photography.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Desert View Watchtower
The Desert View Watchtower is a 70-foot stone structure designed by architect Mary Colter in 1932, modeled after Ancestral Puebloan towers. It stands at the eastern end of the South Rim and provides 360-degree views including the Colorado River, the Painted Desert, and the Navajo Nation. The interior features murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Point Imperial
At 8,803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest point on either rim of the Grand Canyon. It provides views northward toward the Vermilion Cliffs, Marble Canyon, and the Painted Desert, as well as down into Nankoweap Creek drainage. The viewpoint is reached by a short paved path from the parking area at the end of the Point Imperial spur road.
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