Visit the Desert View Watchtower

Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

4.7/5

based on 3 reviews

Save

View all 11 photos

All 11 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Description

Added by Edward Webb

Visit the Desert View Watchtower see a design from the Ancestral Puebloans. Don't forget to catch the view of the Grand Canyon at the top of the 70-foot structure.

While not a replica of any known watchtower along the Grand Canyon, the Desert View Watchtower is an art installation to honor the Hopi Native Americans. The watchtower was designed by Mary Colter, the same woman responsible for the Bright Angel Lodge renovations in 1935. Much of the painting within the tower was done by Fred Kabotie, a Hopi from second Mesa with the ceiling images done by Fred Geary.

Going up into the Desert View Watchtower is completely free. In the tower you will be able to see the unique combination of Native American and Euro-American symbolism which serves as an example of how cultural groups have interacted in areas such as the Grand Canyon.

The tower also boasts some amazing views of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. The panoramic views atop the 70-foot structure are worth the trip to the top, even on a busy day.

Don't forget to stay and photograph a sunset while you're here!

A more detailed history of the Watchtower can be found here thanks to the National Park Service.

Friendly reminder: the road to the Desert View Watchtower is open year round, but the park sometimes closes the road due to snow.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Photography

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Food Nearby

Forest

Groups

Scenic

Visit the Desert View Watchtower Reviews

Angela Dair

Visit the Desert View Watchtower

02/03/23

I took the Grand Canyon shuttle bus here and it was a lovely afternoon! Lots of trails, scenery and the watchtower itself of course. Worth a stop if you are in the area or leaving from this side of the park.

5.0

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Visit the Desert View Watchtower

06/19/20

A cool part of the park that has a significant architectural building perched at the rim. Can get crowded.

5.0

Maggie Donohoo

Visit the Desert View Watchtower

04/10/19

This was the first stop we made upon arriving to the Grand Canyon and it did not disappoint. The views from here are absolutely amazing, the edge is safeguarded and friendly for all ages, wheelchair accessible and there are food and souvenir options. This stop does get crowded - the watchtower gets backed up with people going up the stairs to the various lookouts. I recommend you check out another viewpoint if this one is backed up.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at Desert View Campground

There are three campgrounds on the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Two, Mather Campground and Desert View Campground are run by the National Park Service. Trailer Village is a privately-run RV park located in Grand Canyon Village. If you don’t mind craziness and crowds, both Mather Campground and Trailer Village will serve you well, but if you want to escape the nonsense and immerse yo...

Photograph a Grand Canyon Sunset at the Desert View Watchtower

25 miles east of the Grand Canyon Visitor's Center is Desert View, here you will find the Desert View Watchtower and plenty of space to set up a tripod to photograph the sunset. Make sure to arrive early to get a good spot, even though this location is less trafficked compared to the Visitor's Center. Desert View is open year round, but do take note that the road is not maintained in the winter...

Capturing the Monsoons in Grand Canyon NP

Being in the right place at the right time is the biggest challenge when attempting to photograph the monsoons at the Grand Canyon. Paying careful attention to the weather patterns throughout the day can help, but your best bet is to watch the clouds, pick a viewpoint, and take your chances. A few tips to help out:1) If you want rainbows, head to the west end of the park and set up with the sun...

Desert View Watchtower

Desert View Watchtower is a 70-foot high stone tower located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Once you cross into the park through the east entrance look for the sign for Desert View, it's the first real lookout point in the park and there is plenty of parking. The tower was constructed in the 1930's and looks really awesome in photos. You can even see the Colorado River as it begins to m...

Backpack the Tanner Trail in Grand Canyon National Park

The trip requires a backcountry permit for zone BB9 (reserve HERE). Backcountry permits in Grand Canyon National Park are available for reservation on the 1st of the month 4 months prior to your trip date (e.g. if you wanted to go on a trip on May 20 you could reserve your permit on January 1st). Permits cost $10 plus $8 per person per night. The route to Tanner Beach starts from Lipan Point. ...

Cape Royal

This is a very easy "hike" at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The drive itself is a little long and winding (keep your eye out for deer that bolt across the narrow road, especially at night), but the easy walk that takes you through a plethora of marked, detailed desert life completed by the Grand Canyon conservationists that ends in an amazing view from the rim is worth it. The view is ...

Visit the Desert View Watchtower

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Visit the Desert View Watchtower Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Camp at Desert View Campground

Photograph a Grand Canyon Sunset at the Desert View Watchtower

Capturing the Monsoons in Grand Canyon NP

Desert View Watchtower

Backpack the Tanner Trail in Grand Canyon National Park

Cape Royal

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps