It may have been millions of years in the making but the sight of the Grand Canyon never gets old for anyone fortunate enough to set eyes upon it. Whether you are a first time tourist or regular sightseer, there’s always a new way to admire the vast expanse of the national park. So, if you plan on joining the other 5 million annual visitors in the near future, now’s a great time to discover some of the best views of the Grand Canyon.
Shaped by the flow of the Colorado River and subjected to the harshest of weathering for millennia, the world’s most famous canyon is a geological formation characterised by stunning views and magnificent rock features. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world there are few travellers who don’t have this brutalist natural phenomenon on their bucket list. But as you might expect of a tourist attraction that stretches for 277 miles and reaches up more than 8,000 feet above sea level in places, there’s more than one way to “see” the Grand Canyon.
Depending on where, when and how visitors encounter the national park, the Grand Canyon can offer up a tremendous variety of experiences. After all, a walk along Redwall Bridge is distinct and different from making the more challenging trip to the canyon edge at Toroweap; just as booking tickets to the IMAX in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is a far cry from white water rafting down the Colorado River itself.
Choosing a great vista at the Grand Canyon is a little like choosing a dish from a Michelin-starred restaurant menu; you really are spoilt for choice. There are so many locations along both North and South rims, there are excursions down into the basin of the Canyon, exploratory trips to caves, trails through the rock formations and campsites for those willing to sleep out under the stars.
Ask around and you will often find very different opinions on the best place to see sunset at the Grand Canyon or where the best viewpoint is at the Grand Canyon to appreciate the panorama. As you’ll see, the best views of the Grand Canyon itself may not even be accessible from the ground. Indeed, thousands of visitors each year head for the skies so that they can admire this natural wonder of the world in all its aerial glory.
So, should you take to the skies, stand atop the rim, or head down deep into the basin to the riverbank itself? Before you decide, take some time to read up on some of the most eye-catching, exciting and exhilarating options available.
Best views of the Grand Canyon from the air
Covering an area of 1,900 square miles, the Grand Canyon is truly vast. To get a real sense of this size and scale, you need a bird’s-eye view of the national park. And where better to start than by exploring the Grand Canyon National Park by Helicopter?
Flying over to the Grand Canyon from Vegas
There are a number of providers who offer thrilling flights over the national park for tourists travelling from Las Vegas. Choose to fly high above for an aerial view or even choose a ride that takes you down into the Canyon floor. Offers include a champagne picnic, walking tours of Hualapai Indian Territory, traversing of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Bowl of Fire and then a return trip to the Vegas strip at sunset.
State-of-the-art helicopter tours also depart from the South Rim airport and typically incorporate views of the North Rim, the confluence of the Little Colorado and the Dragon Corridor.
Want to enjoy the Grand Canyon from a helicopter? You’ve got options
Day-tripping to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix
But it isn’t just tourists looking for an excursion from the neon capital of the world that visit the Grand Canyon, of course. It’s also possible to enjoy a day trip from Phoenix, taking in the Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona. This all-day tour led by an English-speaking guide takes 12-13 hours and includes transfers by SUV; carefully selected photo stops; all entrance fees and lunch at a food court.
Whether you prefer plane or helicopter, South Rim or North, a whistle-stop tour or landing for a leisurely lunch, there are itineraries to suit every need from a well-established array of providers that service visitors.
Best view of the Grand Canyon for thrill seekers
If your idea of a truly memorable experience is to jack your heart rate up and get adrenaline coursing through your veins, then how about a Skydive at the Grand Canyon? Fly tandem with an expert instructor who will help you take the leap of a lifetime and drop in straight over the canyon basin.
The experience begins with a stunning ride up by plane from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. There is ample opportunity to drink in the most incredible views from way up in the atmosphere before the time comes to take the fast route down. While all skydives are exhilarating, few can boast an experience quite as spectacular as dropping at 136mph into a crater that is millions of years in the making.
If you are able to admire the descent at terminal velocity then, congratulations, you truly have ice in your veins. But if you have other things on your mind during those death-defying first few seconds of plummeting towards the ground, then don’t worry. Once your parachute opens, there is plenty of time to enjoy the incredible landscape below as you drift serenely back down to earth.
Best place to see sunset at the Grand Canyon
Undoubtedly one of the most popular viewing spots at the Grand Canyon is Mather Point at the South Rim of the National Park. Mather Point is situated at the South Main Entrance, just a short walk from the Visitor Center. Should you be lucky enough to catch it on a clear evening just as the sun is setting you will often be able to see more than 30 miles of the Canyon itself.
Time your visit correctly and you will quickly see why Mather Point has built a reputation as the best place to enjoy the Grand Canyon’s unique sunset. The golden light glinting off the rock formations causes the colours to change before your eyes, inspiring awe and amazement at the beauty of nature.
The viewpoint is named after Stephen Tyng Mather, the first director of the National Park Service and it is not hard to see why this particular spot was his favourite.
Another prime viewing spot for those chasing sunsets is Hopi Point, situated along the South Rim. One of the main advantages of Hopi Point is that it projects out into the Canyon and provides truly panoramic views from East to West. From the cliff edge, you can admire the reds, creams and greens of the Shiva Temple summit, located just below the North Rim and adjacent to Granite Gorge.
To the East of the Shiva Temple is the Isis Temple and to the North East is the Zoroaster Temple. Give yourself ample time here to drink in the view and watch as the shimmering evening light plays on the complex and multi-faceted surfaces of the rock face before you.
If standing on the edge of the gaping chasm isn’t quite enough for you, however, then one of the more recent installations (at least in geological terms) at the National Park could be perfect for you. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is an elegant and energising horseshoe-shaped glass walkway that reaches out 70ft over the basin, suspended in thin air.
If you feel a slight sense of trepidation at the thought of standing atop a 4,000ft abyss with nothing but a sheet of glass to support your weight then you certainly wouldn’t be alone. But that’s all part of the thrill of this unique attraction. And even if your heart is in your mouth, your brain should take comfort in the fact that the bridge is reportedly strong enough to hold seventy passenger jets.
A promenade around the walkway slots perfectly into a Grand Canyon West self-guided tour, which provides a hop-on hop-off shuttle service that takes in not just the Skywalk but also the stunning scenes from Eagle Point and Guano Point – another location often tipped as the best place to see sunset at the Grand Canyon.
Situated to the West of Hopi Point is another contender for that particular crown: Mohave Point. Accessible via Hermit’s Rest Road, its postcard perfect western exposure offers a superb location for admiring the sunset. It also benefits from being a quieter rest spot than Hopi Point with smaller crowds there day to day. As it’s only a mile walk between the two, you may even wish to experience both by taking the Rim Trail route.
Mohave Point features an elongated promontory called the Alligator. From this vantage point you can cast your eyes down to the winding course of the Colorado River and watch the white waters of the Hermit Rapid.
Those in the know suggest that the best way to catch a sunset at this majestic spot is to arrive 30 minutes before the lights go down. This gives enough time for visitors to admire the gradual change in colour as the shadows lengthen and the golden light bathing the canyon begins to darken.
Of course, sunset can be a joy from the North Rim, too. Perhaps the most impressive viewpoint on the North Rim is Cape Royal – just under a 25km drive from the North Rim Visitor Center. This vantage point offers the best view of Wotans Throne, a sandstone mesa (isolated rock formation) that stands proudly atop the sheer cliffs around it.
Best place to watch the sunrise Grand-Canyon style
If you’re an early bird rather than a night owl, the lure of a sunrise at the Grand Canyon should certainly be on your to-do list. There’s nothing quite like watching the light slowly illuminate this natural wonder and there’s no shortage of spots in the national park from which to admire it.
Point Imperial is the highest viewpoint at the Grand Canyon, standing at 8,803 feet, and it has gained a worthy reputation as a sunrise-lover’s favourite. In fact, many people consider it to be the best place to admire the arrival of a new day on the North Rim.
Watching the rays of light creep up the spire of Mount Hayden is a sight that warms the soul and, as the light strengthens it gradually reveals one of the very best vistas of the whole National Park, taking in the flow of the Colorado River, Marble Canyon and the edge of the Painted Desert.
For a similarly high perch on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Desert View comes highly recommended as one of the best views of the Grand Canyon. At 7,438 feet above the river basin, there are few impediments to block your gaze and it offers stunning sights to behold in every direction. Face North and you can admire the glint of Marble Canyon; turn West and you will see the maze of rock formations gathered around the river itself and to the East you can watch the Painted Desert.
Best viewpoint Grand Canyon: Hidden gems and mini treks
If you love nothing more than a hike that’s rewarded with a stunning view, the 4km North Kaibab Trail down to Redwall Bridge is well worth the effort. Rise early and get walking and you’ll be able to see one of the most spectacular sights in nature as the morning sun slowly washes down the canyon walls, revealing the full glory of the steep sides and deep valley before your eyes.
Speaking of walking, another treat for hikers is the route up to Cape Final. A relatively simple two-mile hike is enough to get the blood flowing and breath deepening but the view from the Eastern tip of the Walhalla Plateau is certainly more than enough reward for the effort. For lovers of the great outdoors the good news is that it is also possible to camp at Cape Final – although you should be warned that permits must be attained at the Grand Canyon’s backcountry office and they are extremely limited.
Too many options to choose from? Want a luxury tour that takes care of everything?
With so many options available and viewpoints aplenty over an area of more than 1,900 square miles, you’d be forgiven for wanting to keep it a little simple when you visit the Grand Canyon. If you are visiting from Las Vegas, look no further than a Small Group VIP Tour that takes in Bright Angel Lodge, Mather Point and Yavapai Point.
A full-day excursion, this tour includes audio guides in 12 different languages and a trip to the National Geographic Visitor Center, and you have the option to throw in a helicopter flight over Dragon’s Corridor.
So, there you have it: a range of options from the air and from the ground to help you discover the best views of the Grand Canyon.
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