The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is home to some of the most breathtaking, jaw dropping lookout viewpoints in the United States. The Grand Canyon South Rim is where most visitors enter. It is conveniently located from nearby Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Sedona, Arizona.
With its central location, you can additionally find some of the best travel experiences around the Grand Canyon. This includes food, restaurants, and lodging accommodations surrounding South Rim.
There are two major hikes you can take to reach the Grand Canyon South Rim. First is the Rim Trail, which goes right along the top. You can also take the Bright Angel Trail. A slightly longer option, the Angel trail descends roughly six miles into the canyon.
Once you have chosen the best hiking trail, you can access some of the most beautiful lookout points in the world. Many of these scenic South Rim viewpoints are 100% free, making them the ultimate stop for your value travel vacation. Read on to learn about the breathtaking scenic South Rim Grand Canyon viewpoints.
Zuni Point
Zuni Point is an incredible lookout destination to take in the scenic Grand Canyon views. Beware that there are no signposts or designated climbing trail, often making Zuni Point slightly harder to find. If you are a traveler with a chronic illness, make sure you have the correct equipment in case you get lost. The commonly taken route is right in between mile markers 257 and 258. Here, the rim is just a couple of yards from the side of the road.
Similar to popular vantage spots like Moran Point, Zuni boasts spectacular views of the Red Canyon. Be sure to check out Zuni Point for some of the most breathtaking scenic Grand Canyon views.
Lookout Studio
Before you get your smartphone travel-ready for your Grand Canyon vacation, you need learn about Lookout Studio. Lookout studio has been a historical, breathtaking South Rim viewpoint since opening in 1914. The studio was originally designed by Mary Coulter, and is conveniently located near the Bright Angel Lodge.
Lookout studio is strategically built right up to the edge of the Grand Canyon. With its mindful positioning, you can witness jaw dropping, panoramic views of the Grand Canyon. You can even find a bookstore in the studio, filled with local works, souvenirs, and more. Be sure to make the hike to Lookout Studio for some of the best South Rim Grand Canyon viewpoints.
Mather Point
Mather Point is one of the most popular, spectacular, and commonly visited South Rim Grand Canyon viewpoints. The point is named after Stephen Mather, who was the first superintendent of the park. Mather is located at approximately seven-thousand feet of elevation. At this elevation, you can easily see roughly a quarter of the entire Grand Canyon. Certainly remember different ways to prevent altitude sickness.
Directly below your lookout point, is the canyon’s base, the Phantom Ranch. If you are driving down Desert View Drive, Mather Point is a must-stop. When you visit, be sure to look for famous rock figures like the Temple of Zoroaster and the Vishnu Temple. In your search for the most spectacular South Rim viewpoints, be sure to visit beautiful Mather Point.
Yavapai Point
Yavapai Point is another incredibly popular, must-see Grand Canyon South Rim viewpoint. Similar to Mather Point, Yavapai is one of the most popular and scenic Canyon destinations. One clear advantage of Yavapai point however, it is easily accessible by shuttle. Simply take the orange shuttle bus route and Yavapai is an easy trek for all travelers.
When visiting, Yavapai offers breathtaking, panoramic views from Desert View to Havasupai Point. The point is one of the best, and most scenic locations to see deep into the inner Grand Canyon. Here, you can see famous landmarks like the Colorado and even Phantom Ranch. Whether you are visiting the Grand Canyon on a family vacation, with friends, or as a solo-traveler, Yavapai point is a must. When you plan your scenic Grand Canyon route, be sure to make a stop at beautiful Yavapai Point.
Grandview Point
Any experienced traveler will tell you the importance of visiting Grandview Point on your trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Grandview Point, at approximately 7,500 feet of elevation, is the highest viewpoint across the entire South Rim. The trail to the point is conveniently located right off the Desert View Drive.
Before you visit, beware that the hiking trail can be fairly narrow and steep. However, if you make the trek, the view is certainly worth it. When you make the hike, you can see famous landmarks like Horseshoe Mesa, Shiva Temple, as well as the Rama, Krishna, and Vishnu Shrines. When you plan your trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, be sure to check out the famous, Grandview Point.
Ooh Aah Point
Ooh Aah Point is another amazing, scenic viewpoint along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The famous Ooh Aah point undoubtedly has the best name of any Grand Canyon viewpoint. Similar to other famous spots like Mather, Yavapi, or Yaki, Ooh Aah point is located near Grand Canyon Village. To visit this breathtaking South Rim viewpoint, first take the Orange Line, Kaibab Rim Route of the Grand Canyon Shuttle. Get off once you reach the South Kaibab trailhead. From here, it will be a roughly one-mile downhill hike to the scenic Grand Canyon viewpoint. If you are spending time in this area, there are several tremendous Santa Fe tours and museums to hit, which is about a six-hour drive East.
Shoshone Point
Shoshone Point is a special viewpoint as it is not always advertised on park maps. It is a beautiful rock outcropping with more than an 180 degree view of the Grand Canyon. To visit Shoshone Point, start at the gate on Desert View Drive, just west of mile marker 246. It’s a mile in length and only has an incline of 100 feet. Continue through the wooded area covered in ponderosa pine. At the mile mark, you will reach a turn around loop where there are grills, picnic tables and bathrooms. Additionally, there is a covered pavilion that can be rented out for events. However, you do not need a permit to visit the overlook.
There are several must-see South Rim viewpoints when you visit the Grand Canyon. The best viewpoints and lookouts ensure you get the most out of your slow travel vacation to the South Rim Grand Canyon. Once you decided on the best hike to take, there are several amazing viewpoints to stop at. Be sure to check out jaw dropping points like Zuni and Lookout Studio. At the same time, check out some of the canyons world-famous, popular lookout spots like Yavapai and Mather Point. To get one of the highest views available on South Rim, be sure to also check out Grandview Point on your visit. As you plan your spectacular getaway, consider the points mentioned above to learn about the breathtaking scenic South Rim Grand Canyon viewpoints.
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