Most Grand Canyon Visitors Miss This Scenic 25-mile Drive-but It Has Has Some of the Park's Best Views

"When visiting Grand Canyon National Park, most visitors head straight for the iconic South Rim. Yet just east of the busy Grand Canyon Village lies a stretch of road with equally jaw-dropping vistas and far fewer crowds. Desert View Drive, a 25-mile scenic route along Arizona Highway 64, is a low-key wonder that rewards those willing to wander slightly off the park's busiest paths."

"Starting at Grand Canyon Village and stretching past the park's East Entrance, Desert View Drive leads to some of the canyon's most underrated viewpoints. Lipan Point is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when golden light illuminates the canyon walls. Moran Point, named for landscape painter Thomas Moran, has dramatic perspectives of the Colorado River winding through ancient rock formations."

"One of the most notable landmarks, the Desert View Watchtower, feels like a natural extension of the landscape. Inspired by ancient Puebloan architecture, the 70-foot stone structure is one of the park's highest accessible viewpoints, with just 85 steps leading to the top. Inside, murals honor the region's Native American heritage. The adjacent Navajo Point is another remarkable spot to observe striking views of the canyon's geologic layers."

Desert View Drive is a 25-mile scenic route east of Grand Canyon Village along Arizona Highway 64 that offers spectacular, less-crowded canyon vistas. The drive includes Lipan Point, ideal at sunrise and sunset, Moran Point with dramatic views of the Colorado River, and Grandview Point with sweeping panoramas and access to the rugged Grandview Trail built for 19th-century ore hauling. The Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot stone structure inspired by Puebloan architecture, provides one of the park's highest accessible viewpoints and houses murals honoring Native American heritage. Picnic areas, pull-offs, forested trails, wildlife sightings, a market, and nearby glamping add convenience and lodging options.

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