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Sight Desert View, Grand Canyon

Desert View Watchtower

A sight in Desert View, Grand Canyon, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Afternoon.

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Desert View Watchtower in Desert View, Grand Canyon
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park · Public domain

Why go

Mary Colter's 1932 stone tower at the east end, with wide views of the river.

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Grand Canyon, alongside 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Mather Point, 16 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
Desert View
Price
Free
Time needed
1 hr
Best time
Afternoon

Nearby

The 6 closest curated picks in Grand Canyon, measured as straight-line distance.

  1. 1
    Mather Point

    First big overlook, a short walk from the main visitor center.

    Outdoors · 16 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Yavapai Geology Museum

    Glass-walled museum on the rim that explains the canyon's rock layers.

    Sight · 16 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Rim Trail

    Mostly paved path linking overlooks from Yavapai Point toward Hermits Rest.

    Outdoors · 17 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    El Tovar Lounge

    Small lodge bar with a porch overlooking the rim.

    Drinks · 17 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    El Tovar Dining Room

    Historic 1905 lodge dining room steps from the rim.

    Food · 17 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Arizona Steakhouse

    Southwestern steakhouse at Bright Angel Lodge with big canyon windows.

    Food · 18 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Desert View Watchtower is a stop on our Grand Canyon & Arizona route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Grand Canyon

Desert View Watchtower is our only sight pick in Grand Canyon; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Grand Canyon guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Grand Canyon run from 52°F in December to 99°F in July; August is usually the wettest month. For Desert View Watchtower itself, we suggest: Afternoon.

Modelled monthly averages for Grand Canyon from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Grand Canyon weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Desert View Watchtower, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
Coordinates
36.04401, -111.82537
Destination
Grand Canyon, Arizona

Desert View Watchtower: quick answers

How much time do you need at Desert View Watchtower?

Plan on about an hour at Desert View Watchtower. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Desert View Watchtower?

Our pick: Afternoon.

Is Desert View Watchtower free?

Yes, we list Desert View Watchtower as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Desert View Watchtower?

Desert View Watchtower is at Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Desert View Watchtower?

Desert View Watchtower appears on Grand Canyon & Arizona, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Desert View Watchtower to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Grand Canyon.

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Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.