Desert View Drive, also referred to as State Route 64, is one of the roads that leads into the central part of the Grand Canyon. 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. Check out why Desert View Drive is worth the drive!
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Things to Know
It’s about 25 miles from the first good view point of the Grand Canyon to the Grand Canyon Village. If you drive without stopping, you can do the drive is just over 30 minutes. However, what would be the point of that? If you would like to stop at all the view points and take a minute to appreciate the canyon (and of course take a picture or two), I would allot approximately three to four hours for this drive.
Don’t worry, a few of the stopping points along Desert View Drive have restroom facilities. Some of the view points also have picnic tables if you want to stop and have a picnic next while enjoying the scenery. However, there aren’t really any places for you to refill water bottles or purchase food except for at Desert View Watchtower, which is the very first (or last – depending on which direction you’re heading) view point along Desert View Drive. Keep this in mind before heading out on your drive so you can make sure you are adequately prepared.
It’s also worth noting that Desert View Drive is completely paved, so you should never have to worry about having a high clearance vehicle (like you would need for some of other activities in Arizona). If you are trying to go over something and are worried about scraping the bottom of the car, you are doing something wrong.
List of Desert View Drive View Points
Most view points along Desert View Drive are clearly marked with signs. However, there were also a couple of spots that were obviously view points that different have any signs (or maybe they did and I just missed them). I’ve listed the various view points below as well as indicated which ones I didn’t see obvious signs for indicating that it was a view point.
Some of the view points have parking lots that are pretty big, but other parking lots are smaller and even others are just pull-off points along the road, so always keep your eyes open for good spots to stop and admire the view.
Desert View Watchtower
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 24.6 miles
Has restrooms available
Navajo Point
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 23.9 miles
Lipan Point
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 23.2 miles
Unnamed Point 1
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 22.6 miles
Coordinates: 36°01’27.7″N 111°51’19.6″W
Located 0.8 miles after Lipan point and 1.2 miles before Tusayan Museum
This is an obvious view point because there is a paved parking lot, but it doesn’t seem to be listed on the National Park Website and does not have any signs indicating a name for this view point.
Tusayan Museum and Ruins
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 21.5 miles
Has restrooms available
Moran Point
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 17.8 miles
Grand View Point
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 12.5 miles
Has restrooms available
Duck on a Rock (Unnamed Point 2)
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 7 miles
This is another viewpoint that doesn’t appear to have a name at first, at least when you pull into the parking lot. However, if you read a few of the information boards posted, you’ll realize that this is the Duck on a Rock viewpoint – due to the rock that appears to be in the shape of a duck sitting on a rock.
Yaki Point
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 5.1 miles
This viewpoint is not accessible by private vehicle. Only shuttle buses are permitted to enter.
Has restrooms available
Pipe Creek Vista (Unnamed Point 3)
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 3.8 miles
When driving down Desert View Drive, I didn’t see any signs indicating the name of this viewpoint, but according to the Grand Canyon website, it seems to be Pipe Creek Vista.
Mather Point
Distance from Grand Canyon Village: 2.3 miles
Located at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center
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