1. (Elevation: 7,096 feet / 2,162 meters) Mile Marker 246 The sheets were worn (with cigarette burns) and lets not even talk about the bathroom. The climb to the top is well worth the effort, expanding the already huge field of view. Desert View Watchtower - U.S. National Park Service Desert View Campground now requires advanced reservations. Though you could drive from one end of Desert View Drive to the other in a little over an . There are always cancellations at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It was so cold and rainy for sunrise at the Grand Canyon, Land in Flagstaff, AZ from Washington DC at Night, Pick up the rental car from Enterprise at Flagstaff Airport, Drive to hotel in Grand Canyon National Park, The Drive from Page, Arizona to Monument Valley. If that did stop at the Desert Watchtower you would have a fair wait before it returned. The further west we went on 64, the more crowded it became -- so start early and go in from the east entrance to enjoy the sites without huge crowds. I decided to drive the longer way back to flagstaff to get a different view and my gosh am I happy we did that. The rocks of the Supergroup date from 740 million to 1,200 million years old. Add this to your list of MUST DOs while at GC, Great drive with surprises around every curve, things to do in Grand Canyon National Park. Things to Do Near the Grand Canyon South Rim - Desert View Watchtower Decade after decade, visitors have come to this spot to look for the Duck on a Rock. What do you see? The Desert View Watchtower exceeded my expectations for it. On several previous trips to the Grand Canyon I have only visited the west end of the South Rim. The View Hotel has a comfortable lodge feel with traditional Navajo touches. (NO HOOK-UPS). Thanks to its humongous size, scenic driving is an absolute treat here in Arizona, with tons of back roads and highways to choose from guaranteed to provide an entirely different experience from the last. The Desert View Historic District includes the historic Watchtower and store, the Desert View Trading Post gift shop, the General Store and Deli, a gas station, restrooms, and a seasonal campground. Grandview is also a popular stop because it is also the location of a historic hotel that no longer exists and the upper portion of an old copper mining establishment. When is Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower open? 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Do be mindful of timezones when traveling through Arizona! Unfortunately, we did not get up for sunrise at Horseshoe Bend because we were tired and slept in. The scenic drive took about 3 hours before we arrived in Page Arizona where the time changed! But being short on time with only about 1/2 a day to explore the Grand Canyon, I went with the most scenic route possible that didnt require hiking. READ MORE: WATERHOLES CANYON THE SECRET SLOT CANYON NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT. Your email address will not be published. Worth the drive and the east entrance usually doesn't have as many visitors coming through the gates. Grand Canyon National Park - Things to Do. Type: Museums, National Park, Outdoors, Road Trip, Scenic ViewpointDetails: Arizona, Coconino County, Grand Canyon National Park, Road Trip, Vista Point, PreviousPipe Creek Vista on Desert View Drive In Grand Canyon National Park, Yavapai Lodge In Grand Canyon Village at Grand Canyon National ParkNext. It's your, plan & sorry backsides ! Falling the full height of a three story building, Hance Rapid is one of the most hazardous whitewater rapids on the Colorado River. There is one hotel located inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park which gives you direct access to the park, The View Hotel. It runs right next to the eastern part of the Grand Canyon and offers several spots for you to stop and get spectacular views of the canyon. Make an interstate scenic road trip driving from. The Ajo Mountain Drive is a loop track that cuts right through Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, giving you the unique opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful sections of the Sonoran Desert. worried about scraping the bottom of the car, you are doing something wrong. There is a campground and a gas station with pumps over 24/7, which is good because the only other places to get gas around here are Cameron or Tusayan. Lots of brick work adds to the country charm. Your email address will not be published. You will find incredible vistas to be seen from a number of overlooks and scenic viewpoints. All your photos are gorgeous. Both of those have parking. Are there any at the South Rim for half a day? There are two main roads with scenic viewpoints in Grand Canyon National Park: Hermit Road and Desert View Drive. Grand Canyon Self-Guided Tour | Action Tour Guide, Take your time to drive the scenic Desert View Drive and take in all the views, Winding along the South Rim, this drive provides plenty of places to stop and view the canyon, Visit the Tusayan Ruin and Museum to learn all about the ancient people who lived here. Is there a way to get to the Watchtower if we don;t have a car? Desert View is a small settlement on the South Rim that is located about 20 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. Aside from its unbeatable desert scenery, youll also get the chance to make a stop at Tlaquepaque, a historical Spanish village you can explore for a few hours. DESERT VIEW WATCHTOWER - 378 Photos & 38 Reviews - Hwy 64 Desert View Read More. Grand Canyon's South Rim is best experienced from the park's scenic Desert View Drive (Hwy 64). Desert View Drive & Watchtower - Grand Canyon National Park Desert View is the eastern-most developed area on the South Rim of the park. Nearby is Yavapai Point. Moreover, there are several hiking trailheads along the road, which provide a perfect excuse to park your car. We saw so much but I know there is still so much left to see. Things to know before you go. Maps - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) About This Home Agent/Owner Listed by Kyle Mokhtarian KMS Realty Redfin checked: just now (May 5, 2023 at 9:08am) Source: MLSSAZ #22110490 Bought with Allen Jackson Tierra Antigua Realty Home facts Status Closed Property Type Single Family Residence, Single Family Places To Go - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Desert View Drive. We are staying at the Bright Angel Lodge, dependent on public transportation. The views of the canyon are everywhere and there are spots to stop, hike, take photos, and almost no one was there. Twenty timed tickets ate given out every 15 minutes for 15 minutes forward so tickets given out at 2:46 are for 3:00. I had accounted for the timing of this but our cell phones didnt catch up because depending on the tower you are on, it will give you a different time. Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower: NICE DRIVE AND BEAUTIFUL VIEWS - See 1,254 traveler reviews, 1,975 candid photos, and great deals for Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, at Tripadvisor. The only car rental place open that late at night at the Flagstaff airport is Enterprise, so we rented our car from them. After sunset at Horseshoe Bend, we went back to our hotel and had dinner at the hotel. Nothing else in the park. 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The Monument Valley scenic drive was amazing and possibly the highlight of our trip. Also, the entrance on the East side was empty and I'm thinking I should have drove into the park this direction to avoid the lines we had at the south entrance. An Unforgettable Vancouver Island Road Trip Adventure, Glacier National Park to Banff US to Canadian, Roaming To The Red Centre: Ultimate Sydney to Uluru, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Desert View Drive Grand Canyon moves along the South Rim of Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world. Read our. We got up early and drove straight to the Desert View Watchtower so we could eat breakfast there and check out the sights before the spring break crowds descended. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower: Hotels near Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower: Restaurants near Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower: Attractions near Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower: Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park, If it makes sense with your route of travel, I highly recommend coming in the. No crowds, plenty of places to pull in and see the canyon from different perspectives, plenty of toilet facilities along the way and then when you get to the Desert View area somewhere to eat and shop.I don't know why this route isn't advertised or used more but I'm glad it isn't. Where does the Desert View Drive begin and end? Bathrooms were in good order. I would strongly encourage you to rearrange your schedule to spend a full day at GCNP. This page is about the scenic overlooks between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View. The hotel has well-appointed spacious rooms, and our room on the ground floor had a door right out to the courtyard to the heated pool. This viewpoint is 6 years ago Save We are fitting in the Grand Canyon on our way to Vegas on Sunday 9th April (waking up in Barstow, driving 5-6 hours to the south rim, and then 4-5 hours to Vegas). The east-facing views include Cremation Creek, Newton Butte, and Clear Creek. This often-overlooked East Entrance may not be where all the activities are, but the views are worth a quick stop. The Lower Antelope Canyon photography tour took about 2 hours and was definitely worth it. Desert View Scenic Drive: 98 Reviews, Map - Arizona | AllTrails At the Watchtower you can no longer climb up but that is of little disappointment. Learn how your comment data is processed. 515 N Desert View Dr Apache Junction, AZ 85120 Moreover, there are a few trailheads scattered along the road in case you want to explore further afield on foot. Is Desert View worth it? - Grand Canyon National Park - Tripadvisor Important to Note: Entry to the scenic drive, is not available on America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, you are entering the Navajo Tribal Park. 2023 - Family Road Trip. Located at the end of the Desert View Drive, the Desert View Watchtower was designed by Mary Coulter in 1932 to blend into the landscape. The Ultimate Sedona to Grand Canyon Road Trip You could perhaps arrive at noon allowing for food and bathroom. Entry is $20 per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis; open daily but some annual holiday dates apply. This drive will take you to some of the most popular viewpoints of Americas most famous natural landmark, all while providing gorgeous views of the Grand Canyon along the way. As we walked sleepily to the spot I picked out for a sunrise at the Grand Canyon South Rim all to ourselves we were pelted by hail! The interior of the tower is most interesting, covered with colorful native pictographs. We are fitting in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Desert View Watchtower - A Grand Canyon National Park Must-See! Grand Canyon and offers several spots for you to stop and get spectacular views Along the route, youll get to see the colorful landscapes of the Painted Desert far off in the distance, beautiful red rock walls, and striking desert scenery all over. 910 Desert View Dr, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404 | MLS# 1008408 | Redfin This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. Canyon Village: 23.2 miles, Distance from Grand This drive is amazing. Desert View Drive is ideal for time-tight travelers and those looking to avoid busier parts of the park. Hotels were already booked so can't stay a night. name for this view point. The drive along Highway 64 was easy and less traveled in the early morning. I would think in high season it would be crazy busy and difficult getting in and out of there. Dont worry, a few If you are looking for a hotel with a beautiful view of the Grand Canyon, then El Tovar definitely fits the bill. Desert View Watchtower Reviews | U.S. News Travel Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. Grand Canyons seemingly endless rock formations evoke shapes that only our imaginations can bring to life. Connect with travelers planning a visit to Grand Canyon National Park. Desert View Updated June 2, 2023 The East Entrance to the park at Desert View is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. We arrived and found it packed with people! From Monument Valley to Flagstaff the drive is about 3 hours and is 178 miles. You probably won't have 3 or 4 hours at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? (or maybe they did and I just missed them). See options All photos (1,983) Top ways to experience Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower See all Recommended We stopped at the Tusayan ruins and museum which was interesting and eventually got up to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center which has a movie and displays about the Grand Canyon. NICE DRIVE AND BEAUTIFUL VIEWS - Review of Grand Canyon Desert View The road runs from the Grand Canyon Village to Route 64 ( AZ ), passing by many scenic points and trails. Arizonas dramatic landscapes that range from deep canyons, expansive deserts, and volcanic mountain ranges make it one of the most beautiful places in the entire world to hit the road. other activities in Arizona). After a thorough street view using google maps of the Grand Canyon South Rim viewpoints, I found this particularportion of the rim path has the best viewpoints and opportunities to climb down onto the canyon and get some incredible photos of the Grand Canyon. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-82318857', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car for a quick look/see at the South Rim? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This was my first visit to the East Entrance. Taking you all the way from the desert Gila Valley to 10,000 feet at the summit of Mount Graham, the Swift Trail Parkway is king when it comes to quick changes in scenery and picture-perfect bird-eye views. The check-in attendant was the one that corrected my time issues when I panicked that we had arrived an hour later than I thought it was. It is a short, paved walk down to the tower, bathrooms, food options, and gift shop area. After picking up the car, which was parked right outside the airport, we headed directly to the Grand Canyon South Rim and checked into our hotel, Yavapai Lodge. Our favorite stop was Desert View Watch Tower which had a great view of the Colorado River. What's Along the Desert View Drive portion of SR 64: Desert View Drive begins at Mile Marker 241.5 - at the junction with South Entrance Road. People from the Park Ranger talk simply walked towards the edge of the rim and chose a place to sit to watch the sunset. Feb 6 Don't miss the Desert View at the Grand Canyon! Zillow has 2547 homes for sale. This popular viewpoint offers panoramic views of Grand Canyon from east to west, including several bends of the Colorado River to the east. To drive the scenic Desert View Drive takes about four hours when you stop along the way to take in the sights. This is 25 miles on Desert View Drive from the South Rim, where most of the activity is, but is one of the more interesting. Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower is open: We recommend booking Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Canyon Village: 12.5 miles, Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 7 miles. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. El Tapatio has amazing reviews and we were not disappointed by their delicious Southwestern-style Mexican food and huge portions. The Desert View Drive portion of SR 64 is a scenic road that begins near Grand Canyon Village. picnic next while enjoying the scenery. Food, adventures, & musings on juggling a business, loving a family, living inspired, and embracing imperfection, Published By Jennifer Bourn on April 10, 2018. Some of the view I would recommend packing light insulating layers if you plan on visiting Arizona in November. Entering the park from the east allowed us to avoid the big crowds and longlines at the west Main entrance. After checking out the major viewing points we decided to drive along the East Rim road to see if we could get away from crowds. It helps to give you a sense of the immense size of the canyon by travelling along the rim for several miles.It's right on the way out the East exit if you are headed that way, but well worth the trip out and back even if not. Each stop often provided new views of the vast variety of rock formations in the canyon. The added bonus is the watchtower which while closed for climbing still provided clean views of the canyon. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. Would also work for a morning ride into the park and get some sunrise action. If so, which of these scenic drives are you looking forward to driving the most? This is how we started and we stopped at every view point on our way up to Grand Canyon Village. It felt less like being in a gallery looking at artworks than of being inside an immense work of art. Full Property Details for 515 N Desert View Dr General Sold For: $112,500 Taxes: $615 (2022) Status: Closed Type: Mobile Home MLS ID: 6491085 Added: 208 day (s) ago Interior Interior Features: Fix-Up Needs Repair, Skylight (s) Fireplace (s): No Fireplace Flooring: Carpet, Laminate Rooms While the duck in the Duck on a Rock formation is the smallest topmost rock segment, if you look at the entire vertical, bulging formation, our family thought it looks more like a big fat bear with a small head sitting down with its four legs pointing to the left. of the canyon. We only had a few hours to explore the Grand Canyon and we chose to take the rim trail from Mather Point to Yavapai Point. 38631 Desert View Dr, Palmdale, CA 93551 $470,627 Redfin Estimate 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,385 Sq Ft Off Market This home last sold for $250,000 on May 31, 2016. Read our, Monuments & Statues, Lookouts, Points of Interest & Landmarks. You're driving 10 hours out of your way and debating about whether to spend 1 or 3 hours at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This home is in excellent condition, clean and move in ready. I wanna go back to Arizona, there was so much stuff I couldnt fit in like 4 days! Sitting at an elevation of 7,438 feet, Desert View Watchtower is a seven story, 70 foot tall stone tower on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon within Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower (Grand Canyon National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. After having breakfast at The View Hotel in Monument Valley and taking a few more pictures we drove from Monument Valley back to Flagstaff, AZ. Grand Canyon Desert View Drive begins about one mile east of Grand Canyon Village and ends near the parks eastern entrance at Desert View. Visiting the South Rim. But beyond that even was the impressive beauty of the Watchtower itself, especially the artwork covering the walls and ceiling. No fee and you don't reserve a time. There are several lookout points scattered around the byway, so plan a few stops along the way to fully take in the views! Are you currently planning to drive through Arizona? With 22 years experience as a graphic designer and 16 as a web designer/creative agency owner, Jennifer helps small businesses build brands, create content, and grow profitable online platforms. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Desert View Drive, your eyes open for good spots to stop and admire the view. Hint: Enter Early and Enter from the East Entrance to Avoid Crowds. Note: Tusayan Musuem is also closed at this time. In hindsight, I would have skipped sunset the previous day and just went for sunrise instead. This was the last stop for our tour group as we headed northeast out of the Grand Canyon. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. As luck would have it as soon as we finished breakfast the sun came out and the rain stopped. Due to erosion, nothing in Grand Canyon stays the same, and one day, this formation will likely take a different shape. For visitors coming into the park via the East Entrance, a stop at Desert View provides the first views of Grand Canyon. This was actually my second trip to the Grand Canyon and previously we had stayed at Bright Angel Lodge which was a bit like a motel. Canyon Village: 24.6 miles, Distance from Grand We travel with a huge ice chest in the back of the truck and food for all three meals each day, so we opted to picnic at the roadside pullouts over the scenic overlooks because we could park right along the edge of the road and enjoy the views, instead of parking farther away in a parking lot. All Rights Reserved. Most Desert View Facilities Are Open Updated December 15, 2022. Aside from getting to experience surprising changes in scenery every few minutes, this drive is also great for wildlife aficionados, campers, and hikers. In the summer much of the trail is in full sun. Click here to see our interactive maps in Google Maps plan your own Arizona itinerary! Don't go for the day , we were there for 3 nights and I felt it was not enough ( we missed the sunset as it was raining ), each view point gives you a different glimpse of the canyon and you cannot see it's true beauty unless you have not seen it at sunrise or sunset, Hi All, But apparently because of the possibility to see light beams at Lower Antelope Canyon the morning tour is more popular according to our guide. Arizona State Route 64, Also known as Desert View Drive, is a scenic road that connects Desert View with Grand Canyon Village. You get a view of the Colorado River and the Watchtower adds to the views. Lots of parking options here. All of a sudden you get a great view of the east rim of the canyon. DESERT VIEW DRIVE - 88 Photos - Grand Canyon, Arizona - Parks - Yelp Restaurants Auto Services Desert View Drive 5 reviews Unclaimed Edit See all 88 photos Write a review Add photo Location & Hours Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored Sunset Charter & Tour Co 48 Having a hard time deciding to drive our own vehicle from Williams for the day to visit the canyon or ride the train and have 3 1/2 hours to sight see. . below as well as indicated which ones I didnt see obvious signs for indicating 10 Incredibly Scenic Drives in Arizona | Family Road Trip Hiking Horseshoe Canyon was more of a relaxed walk than a hike. Now sharing this passion with our own family - and yours! All scenic view points are accessible by personal vehicle, except Yaki Point, which is only accessible by walking or riding the free Kaibab Rim Route (Orange) Shuttle Bus. Our room was well appointed and led right out to a courtyard with a heated pool and hot tub. Wed love to know all about your plans in the Grand Canyon State, so feel free to tell us all about them in the comment section below! Canyon Visitor Center, Your email address will not be published. In the winter ice and snow can make hiking treacherous. At Moran Point, three main rock groups are clearly visible, including the Layered Paleozoic Rocks that make up most of the Grand Canyons depth; the Grand Canyon Supergroup, and the Vishnu Basement Rocks, which are the oldest at Grand Canyon. 1 Bath 715 Sq Ft Off Market This home last sold for $195,000 on Aug 6, 2021.