Desert View Drive: The Grand Canyon East Rim Scenic Route

Desert View Drive runs east along the South Rim from Grand Canyon Village toward the park's East Entrance, linking several of the least crowded viewpoints on the rim with a historic stone tower at the end. It is a self-drive route, which makes it a good match for visitors who want canyon views without shuttle logistics.

By The Lowdown Guide Editorial Team · Last updated: 2026-07-23

1. What the Desert View Drive is

Desert View Drive is the roughly 25-mile road that runs east from Grand Canyon Village to the Desert View area near the park's East Entrance. Unlike Hermit Road, which restricts private vehicles for most of the year, Desert View Drive is generally open to self-drive traffic year-round, which makes it the more flexible of the South Rim's two classic scenic drives.

The route strings together a series of pullouts and named viewpoints, each offering a distinct angle on the canyon and the Colorado River corridor below. Because it runs east rather than west, the light and framing at each stop differ from the more commonly photographed western viewpoints along Hermit Road. Our photography guide has more on how light direction changes by viewpoint and time of day.

Route basics: Roughly 25 miles one way, self-drive, running east from the Village to Desert View near the East Entrance.

2. Grandview Point

Grandview Point is one of the first major stops heading east and sits near the trailhead for the Grandview Trail, a steep, largely unmaintained route that drops toward Horseshoe Mesa. Even without hiking it, the point offers a sweeping view that takes in a wide arc of the canyon's eastern side.

The point has historical significance tied to early copper mining operations on Horseshoe Mesa, and interpretive signage at the overlook covers some of that history. It tends to draw a lighter crowd than the more famous western viewpoints, making it a reasonable stop for a slower, less rushed look at the canyon.

Grandview Point: Wide eastern canyon views, trailhead for the steep Grandview Trail, and lighter crowds than western viewpoints.

3. Moran Point

Moran Point is named for Thomas Moran, the landscape painter whose 19th-century canyon paintings helped shape early public interest in preserving the Grand Canyon. The viewpoint offers a broad, largely unobstructed vista that has long attracted painters and photographers for the same reasons Moran valued it.

Compared to the more built-up viewpoints closer to the Village, Moran Point has a simpler, quieter setup, with minimal infrastructure beyond parking and railings. It is a good stop for visitors who want a few unhurried minutes at an overlook rather than a viewpoint with a gift shop and crowds.

Moran Point: Named for painter Thomas Moran, a quieter, minimally developed overlook with a broad canyon vista.

4. Lipan Point

Lipan Point sits near a bend in the Colorado River and offers one of the more direct views of the river itself along the entire South Rim, along with a look at some of the canyon's colorful exposed rock layers. It is a commonly recommended stop for visitors specifically hoping to see the river from the rim.

The point also has a view toward Unkar Delta, an area with a documented history of ancestral Puebloan habitation. Interpretive panels at the overlook cover some of this history, making Lipan Point worth a slightly longer stop than a quick photo pullout.

Lipan Point: One of the better direct river views on the South Rim, plus a view toward the Unkar Delta area.

5. Desert View Watchtower

The Desert View Watchtower is a roughly 70-foot stone tower designed by architect Mary Colter and completed in the early 1930s, drawing inspiration from ancestral Puebloan tower structures found elsewhere in the Southwest. The interior includes murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie, and the tower is widely regarded as one of the more architecturally significant structures on the South Rim.

The Watchtower sits at the eastern end of the drive near the East Entrance Station, making it a natural final stop before continuing toward Cameron or Flagstaff, or a starting point if you enter the park from the east. Specific hours, upper-level access, and any current fees can change, so check the NPS site or the on-site signage rather than relying on older published information.

Watchtower: Mary Colter-designed stone tower from the early 1930s with Fred Kabotie murals, at the drive's eastern end.

6. Planning your drive

Most visitors plan a half day for Desert View Drive if they intend to stop at each major viewpoint and spend meaningful time at the Watchtower. Morning departures tend to have better light on the eastern viewpoints and lighter traffic at pullouts, though conditions vary by season. See our one-day itinerary guide for how to fit this drive alongside other South Rim priorities if your visit is short.

Parking at each pullout is generally limited to a modest number of spaces, so arriving outside peak midday hours reduces the chance of circling for a spot. Fuel up and bring water before you start, since services along the route are limited compared to the Village area. Check the best time to visit guide for how seasonal weather affects this drive.

Planning tip: Budget a half day, go early for light and parking, and bring water and fuel since services along the route are limited.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Desert View Drive take? +
The drive itself is roughly 25 miles one way from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View, which can take about 45 minutes without stops. With time at each viewpoint and the Watchtower, most visitors plan half a day to see it properly, longer if you plan meals or extended photography stops.
Is Desert View Drive open year-round? +
It generally stays open through the year, though winter storms can cause temporary closures until roads are cleared. Always check the NPS current conditions page before a winter drive, since road status can change with little notice after snowfall.
Can I take the shuttle to Desert View Drive stops? +
Desert View Drive is primarily a self-drive route rather than a shuttle-served corridor, unlike Hermit Road. Some seasonal shuttle service to Desert View has operated in past years, but availability changes, so check current shuttle route maps before assuming service exists on your visit dates.
Is there a fee to climb the Desert View Watchtower? +
Access to the Watchtower building and its ground-floor gift shop is generally included with park admission, though specific policies on climbing to the upper viewing levels can change. Confirm current access rules with the NPS or at the site before planning your visit around it.
Where does the Desert View Drive start and end? +
The route generally starts near Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and runs east to the Desert View entrance area, ending near the Watchtower and the East Entrance Station. Many visitors drive it in one direction and exit or return via the same road, depending on their onward route.