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Desert View Drive is a 25 mile scenic route at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It runs along the Grand Canyon from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to Desert View Point.
We started at Desert View Point and worked our way back to the visitor center, stopping at four developed viewpoints, three unmarked viewpoints, and an archaeological site. This entry doesn’t cover the two viewpoints on the west end of Desert View Drive accessible via the Kaibab Rim Route shuttle.
Navajo Point
After visiting Desert View Point, our next stop was Navajo Point, which is the highest overlook on the South Rim at 7,461 feet. From there, we were able to get a good look at the Desert View Watchtower.
Lipan Point
Next was Lipan Point. From this viewpoint, it’s possible to see rapids on the Colorado River and Grand Canyon Supergroup rocks.
We also witnessed a couple taking their wedding photos at this spectacular viewpoint.
Unmarked Pullout #1
After Lipan Point, we stopped at an unmarked pullout for some more excellent views.
Tusayan Ruins
Continuing west, we spent a few minutes away from the canyon rim to see the Tusayan Ruins. It was a small farming village occupied by the Puebloans for about 25 years starting around 1185. The site was excavated in 1930.
A 0.1 mile accessible loop trail can take visitors around the site with another unpaved loop through the farming site. Interpretive panels along the trail give more details on the ruins and life in the village.
At the entrance to the site, there’s a museum built in 1928 by Herbert Maier. It was closed for the day when we passed by.
Moran Point
After the ruins, we stopped at Moran Point. Here, along with the amazing views of the canyon, it’s possible to spot three different rock groups that make up the canyon. They include the Vishnu Basement Rocks, which are the oldest in the canyon; the Grand Canyon Supergroup; and the Layered Paleozoic Rocks.
Grandview Point
From there, it was off to Grandview Point. This is one of the most popular viewpoints on Desert View Drive, and is also the starting point for the Grandview Trail. The three mile one-way trail was built by miners in 1892 to reach a copper mine on Horseshoe Mesa.
Interpretive panels chronicle the story of Pete Berry. Berry claimed the Last Chance Mine on Horseshoe Mesa in 1890. He then built the Grandview Hotel in 1897, boosting tourism at the Grand Canyon well before it became a national park. It was the most popular tourist destination at the canyon until the railroad was finished in 1901. The depot was 14 miles away from the hotel and too far away for most tourists to venture. Berry left the area in 1919, and nothing is left of the hotel.
Unmarked Pullouts #2 and #3
On the morning we left the park, we stopped at two unmarked pullouts just west of Grandview Point to enjoy the views.
At both pullouts, we were able to see low clouds passing through the canyon. We tried to stop at the Duck on the Rock Viewpoint but it was too crowded.
Continuing West
Desert View Drive continues west to Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vista, both of which are served on the Kaibab Rim Route shuttle. Yaki Point is only accessible on the shuttle route, but you can visit Pipe Creek Vista with your own vehicle.
