Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower
Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower
Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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- Astri Ratna SariChicago, Illinois32 contributionsDo not miss this spot!One great spot you should never miss when visiting Grand Canyon. We spend 3 days exploring Grand Canyon, such a wonderful experience. You will learn about Mary Colten and her designs; simply amazing!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 October 2023
- XanaAshby, Massachusetts32 contributionsSo peacefulWe decided to drive up rt 64 and enjoy all the stops. All are beautifully but of course the Watchtower is the best. We got to sit right by the edge, take in the beauty, enjoy the gift shops, and eat an ice cream.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 April 2024
- Discover764522Washington DC, District of Columbia10 contributionsPhenomenal experience! Can't wait to go back!Breath-taking! It's so much more than "just a big hole in the ground," like I used to think in my more naïve days. Train, train, then train some more because the hike back up is no joke! And we're relatively fit, regular gym rats too.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 April 2024
- Have Camera, Will TravelSouth Bend, Indiana3,680 contributionsA Moose!!We stopped as we headed out of the park at mid-morning. There wasn't many people about on a weekday in March. The shops were closed, but the tower opened as we were getting ready to head out. Lots of good views and a really cool bench that became an excellent photo op. We also got to see a moose wander in and eat some shrubbery. We kept our distance and got some pretty cool pictures. I highly recommend the stop.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 May 2024
- Mary CAda, Michigan303 contributionsSunset and Sunrise from this point - greatI never actually got to go up into the watchtower. The timing just wasn't right. I did, however, watch a great sunset from this area, as well as a great sunrise the next morning. The location is great if you are coming from the east entrance, it's the first viewpoint once you enter the park.Visited May 2024Travelled soloWritten 30 May 2024
- K BLafayette, California482 contributionsFabulous views and neat interior decorationWhen we were at Grand Canyon in 2022, the WatchTower tower section was closed, I guess for renovation. I was happy to see in 2024 that it is now open again. It was a very interesting place, designed by architect Mary Colter to represent native American watchtowers in general. Several floors up a winding staircase decorated with Native American motifs and a stunning view at the top! Visitors should be aware that access is limited at any one time but free. You have to get a card from the Ranger on site with a particular time to go up into the Tower.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,279 reviews
Excellent
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259
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2
Brandon K
Flagstaff, AZ2,008 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
This area is either your first stop on the way in to the park if you use the East gates, or it is your last view on your way out if you are driving down Desert View Drive. BE AWARE - right now the East gates are closed because of COVID restrictions and much of this area is restricted. When it is open, there is a great watchtower with amazing views of the canyon, whether it is your first or last view for your visit. If you are staying in the Village, it is well worth the trip out here because of the history of the watchtower and the views. Parking is decent and there is some walking needed, in case that is a concern. There is also food available (usually) but I don’t believe any is available during the COVID restrictions. The Desert View Drive is also worth it as you get a number of pull over vantage points with usually fewer people around than at the visitor’s center or the Village.
Written 26 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lance W
Lombard, IL201 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The Desert View Watchtower exceeded my expectations for it. Having walked and driven a lot of the South Rim, I expected more amazing panoramas, but the view from Desert View north (upstream) and west (downstream) were probably the most beautiful of any point on the Rim. It’s certainly the best view of the Colorado River you can get. But beyond that even was the impressive beauty of the Watchtower itself, especially the artwork covering the walls and ceiling. It felt less like being in a gallery looking at artworks than of being inside an immense work of art.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fun4Me2Travel
Nebraska1,253 contributions
May 2022
This will be your first stop to see the Grand Canyon as you enter from the East side. I highly recommend entering in the morning on this side as it is far less busy than the west side. We had no wait, while on the other side when we exited they were backed up a good mile waiting to get in. Lots of parking options here. No issue finding a spot. It is a short, paved walk down to the tower, bathrooms, food options, and gift shop area. Bathrooms were in good order. The outlook was nice. You are not allowed to go up in the tower, which was a bummer.
Written 6 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P R
50 contributions
Mar 2020
this stop was pretty cool, some history on the area and examples of art work inside the tower were awesome. views were great and the small store has coffee and collectibles for sale. pretty cool educational stop about the history and the area.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,506 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Right at the east entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Stop here for breathtaking views of not only the Canyon, bthe Painted Desert as well. Focal point of this vast overlook is the Mary Colter Watchtower filled with designs taken from her experiences researching the surrounding Native American cultures. Visitation is once again allowed in the building, albeit in reduced and monitored numbers. Best buy the descriptive book available from the sponsoring Conservancy to better understand your visit. The surrounding site also houses a grocery, two snack bars, a gift shop, and campground. And picnic tables right near the Canyon rim
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NatParkLove
Peoria, IL1,901 contributions
Jul 2021
If it makes sense with your route of travel, I highly recommend coming in the East entrance. That whole road from that entrance is gorgeous with many lovely (and not busy) pull outs. Desert View is the first place you'll get to. 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. Nothing else in the park.
The day we arrived at Desert View was thunderstorming, unfortunately. It still was breathtaking to see the storm move across the canyon. Due to lightning, the gift shop at the base of the tower closed for some reason (confused as to why since it's totally inside), but we could still go inside and just not go in the gift shop portion. There are also flush toilets and bathrooms and a snack shop that we did not visit. I would love to come back and see this view on a clear, sunny day.
The day we arrived at Desert View was thunderstorming, unfortunately. It still was breathtaking to see the storm move across the canyon. Due to lightning, the gift shop at the base of the tower closed for some reason (confused as to why since it's totally inside), but we could still go inside and just not go in the gift shop portion. There are also flush toilets and bathrooms and a snack shop that we did not visit. I would love to come back and see this view on a clear, sunny day.
Written 5 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolinainDallas
Dallas94 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
The Watchtower is open for visitors now. Twenty timed tickets ate given out every 15 minutes for 15 minutes forward so tickets given out at 2:46 are for 3:00. The tickets allow you to climb up to the 2nd, 3rd, and top floors. The interior and view on these floors are amazing! This is what made our visit special. There is a lot of construction going on around the tower which is distracting. And the bathrooms are closed with only ports-potties available. The first time we stopped here for sunset, the porta-potties were full and dirty. We stopped three days later at midday and the porta-potties were decently clean.
Written 24 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill K
Mantorville, MN6,307 contributions
Apr 2022
On several previous trips to the Grand Canyon I have only visited the west end of the South Rim. This was my first visit to the East Entrance. I have to say I love the east end of the canyon. It is less crowded, easier to get around, and the views (especially at sunrise and sunset) are outstanding.
This overlook is especially nice with the watchtower and the dining facility/gift shops.
This overlook is especially nice with the watchtower and the dining facility/gift shops.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ReadRibbet
1,628 contributions
Mar 2022
We decided to do the south rim of the Grand Canyon after an early departure from Page, AZ. The drive along Highway 64 was easy and less traveled in the early morning. Entering the park from the east allowed us to avoid the big crowds and longlines at the west Main entrance. The route is very drivable though you can park and access some trailheads. The pullouts for viewing and photos are designed well and provide spectacular views. The Desert View Watchtower is the first main viewing area from the east. The added bonus is the watchtower which while closed for climbing still provided clean views of the canyon. It also has a giftshop. Each stop often provided new views of the vast variety of rock formations in the canyon. Trees and vegetation also add interesting backgrounds. 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.
Written 26 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OCLADY1208
Arizona20 contributions
Sept 2020
Traffic was backed up getting into the Grand Canyon as they had one clossed down doing road repair. So we took the Desert View Drive and we were so glad we did. No crowds and you can stop along the way and see spectacular views. Do yourself a favor and stay away from the south rim inside the park. It's crowded. Most restaurants are closed due to COVID-19. And the Visitor Center is closed.
Written 9 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ursula F
Austria
to visit the sightseeing points along the route Grand Canyon Village to Desert View Watchtower, an entrance fee for the Grand Canyon is due - right???
Written 18 September 2023
Better to drive rather than shuttle?
Written 15 September 2019
Plenty of parking at this location so driving is NOT. A problem. Gives you more flexibility for sure.
Written 8 October 2019
Is it $35 per person or per car? Is it free to go inside the tower.
Written 9 July 2019
$35 per car for a seven day pass. If there is a US citizen in your car aged 62 or more they may buy a senior pass for $20/year or $80/lifetime which will get four people in.
The tower is free.
Written 9 July 2019
Hi, is this a good place for stargazing or is there a lot of artificial light pollution? Thanks
Written 26 April 2019
What is the latest time we can climb the stairs to the top?
Written 14 April 2017
I believe they closed down at 6pm
Written 25 April 2017
Is there a shuttle bus that travels out to the watchtower? 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.
Thanks!
Written 14 March 2017
Based on the map the shuttle bus does not go to the watch tower and the view from their is spectacular , you can see the Colorado river from the watchtower. I was told it is one of the best places to see a sunset ! 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
Written 14 March 2017
How may steps to the top of the tower ?
Written 7 March 2017
Hi All,
Could anyone advise on entrance fee for the watch tower and also if it is required to book tickets in advance?
Many thanks
Written 18 February 2017
No fee and you don't reserve a time. We were there in December and it was fine. I would think in high season it would be crazy busy and difficult getting in and out of there.
Written 19 February 2017
We are staying at the Bright Angel Lodge, dependent on public transportation. Is there a way to get to the Watchtower if we don;t have a car? The only "bus tours" I could find started in Las Vegas. Are there any at the South Rim for half a day?
Written 3 August 2016
Sorry to be so long in answering. The Desert Watchtower is a fair way from Bright Angel. There is a bus once a day North to South Rim I both directions. If that did stop at the Desert Watchtower you would have a fair wait before it returned.
Written 17 August 2016
Hi, if I am travelling from monument valley can I drive to the grand canyon desert view in our hire car ?.
Written 30 May 2016
We drove through there in a rental car - no issues at all.
Written 9 July 2019
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