Late afternoon on May 20 marks the annual solar eclipse, and in honor of the occasion, these groups will team up to share their knowledge and their telescopes for a great viewing opportunity.

Before the eclipse, head to a free program led by NASA scientists about cutting edge research on the sun and the moon. See signs for timing details, and pick up a free voucher for the event at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center starting at 8 a.m. May 20.

During the eclipse, NASA scientists and amateur astronomers will set up telescopes on the South Rim to let the layman take a gander. The largest collection of telescopes will be set up behind the South Rim Visitor Center. You can also head to Lipan Point, the benches west of the Desert View Watchtower or to the Watchtower deck, where other telescope groupings will be stationed.

Then stick around after the spectacle for the South Rim Star Party. Astronomers will leave their telescopes up for the public to check out the stunning night sky.

At least a partial eclipse will be seen by the westernmost two-thirds of the U.S., but viewers at the Grand Canyon will be able to see the moon pass fully in front of the sun. Only a ring of light—or fire if you will—will be visible.

And of course, be careful when watching the spectacle. The National Park Service offers great advice about safe viewing.

Approximate timing of the eclipse:

5:28 p.m.-partial eclipse begins
6:34 p.m. – annular eclipse begins
6:39 p.m. – annular eclipse ends
7:32 p.m. – sun sets while still partially eclipsed

Read more:

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/annular201205.htm

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/27/news/la-trb-grand-canyon-preps-for-rare-eclipse-20120426

The Navajo nation owns a 27,000-square-mile expanse abutting the Grand Canyon’s eastern side, and it wants to draw tourists and their checkbooks to the area. The multi-faceted development is projected to bring in $70 million per year in revenue, as well as provide roughly 2,000 jobs.

“We want people from all over the world to visit Navajo land and the Grand Canyon,” Navajo President Ben Shelly told the Associated Press (via Boston.com). “We have many of the world’s wonders in our midst.”

But the National Park Service, environmental groups, and some Navajo citizens decry the building project and its potential $1 billion expense.

“This is just one more thing that is going to chip away at the solitude of the area, and it’s really not the appropriate type of development for that area,” Alicyn Gitlin of the Sierra Club said in the Associated Press article.

By Courtney Holden

The Grand Canyon Skywalk, a man-made path built in 2007 that extends over the Grand Canyon and the churning Colorado River, is a beautiful spot in bitter dispute. The small Hualapai Indian Nation whose land it sits on wants to pull all rights from the Grand Canyon Skywalk Development Corporation that spent roughly $30 million to build it. According to the contract, the developer has the right to manage the attraction for 25 years and share the profits.

But in February 2012, the Hualapai tribe exercised its right of eminent domain. This bold act was the result of years of failed negotiations over infrastructure management and implementation, including power, sewer, and water. There is also an unfinished visitors’ center, another source of debate, conflict, and apparent embarrassment for the tribe. Revenue from the Skywalk has been held in a trust since 2010.

The money at stake is just as important as the land. Tickets to enjoy the Skywalk can cost upwards of $70 per person, or more, depending on various packages, taxes, and fees.

“We’ve been in negotiations with them, we’ve tried to work with them. It was our last option really,” Candida Hunter, a member of the Hualapai Tribal Council, told Reuters (via BaltimoreSun.com) of the seizure. “We just need to move forward now.”

The contractor countered: “They took everything. And then the tribal court issued an order that we were trespassers if we were even there. You do understand this is like Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela, don’t you?”, Troy Eid, the builder’s lawyer told Reuters.

Photo by Brad Bratcher

By Courtney Holden

This January marked the passage of a new law banning all new uranium mining activity on a considerable section of land close to Grand Canyon National Park. The ban is an effort to stem water pollution, species devastation and industrialization in the area.

The Department of the Interior, under Obama Administration legislation, will make new mining claims and exploratory drilling illegal in the protected section for the next 20 years. The 1 million acre expanse includes three unconnected parcels: one north of the Grand Canyon to Kanab Creek; another along the South Rim in the Kaibab National Forest; and the last northeast of the national park to House Rock Valley.

“We’ve always thought that this was something the Department of the Interior could do and should do,” Sandy Bahr, director of the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, told the AZ Capitol Times. “The mining industry seems to forget that these are public lands, not their lands. There are more important things than their short–term profits – namely the Grand Canyon.”

Had the mining been permitted to continue, fragile water ecosystems would have been in danger of permanent damage. Pollution may have forever altered springs like Elves Chasm, Showerbath Spring and Havasu Creek, which are home to myriad species, some of them found only in those locations.

Before the ban was in place, more than 400,000 individuals from 90 countries wrote to the Department of Interior in its support. Advocates for the bill’s passage included a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts, Indian tribes, businesses, politicians and researchers concerned about the detrimental effects of uranium mining.

While 20 years isn’t forever, according to the AZ Capitol Times Interior Secretary Ken Salazar believes it “will allow us to develop the science relative to uranium mining.”

Map by Peter Sucheski

Sedona, AZ
Surrounded by red rock monoliths and cut by the dramatic chasm of Oak Creek canyon, Sedona is a Mecca for a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking and four-wheel drive and air tours. Sedona is also internationally known for its rich arts and culture, including arts and film schools, a museum, 80 galleries and more than 500 local artists and performers. For more information: visitsedona.com

Kingman/Route 66, AZ
Route 66 has become a destination in its own right. Keep your eyes open for quirky little holdovers from the past like Hackberry General Store, Grand Canyon Caverns or the living ghost town of Oatman. Kingman, the ‘Heart of Route 66’, is conveniently located between the Grand Canyon Skywalk and Grand Canyon National park. Check out the Powerhouse Route 66 Museum and don’t miss a tour at the little rum factory Desert Diamond Distillery. For more information: kingmantourism.org.

Moab, UT
Moab is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and home to some of the most stunning red rock landscapes on Earth. Moab’s access to beautiful scenery, two national parks, and the cool waters of the Colorado River have made it one of the most sought after destinations in the Southwest. Let Moab be your base camp for world famous mountain biking, hiking, canyoneering, four wheel driving, or river trips. For more information: discovermoab.com.

Cedar City,  UT
Cedar City is a convenient gateway to Southwest national parks including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon North Rim, Kolob Canyons and Cedar Breaks National Monument. In the summer, Brian Head offers chairlift and shuttle service to 200 miles of downhill mountain bike trails and cool alpine hiking trails featuring red-rock vistas of Cedar Breaks National Monument. For more information: scenicsouthernutah.com

Alamosa, CO
Located in the scenic southwestern corner of Colorado, Alamosa is surrounded by sweeping landscapes. Visit nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park, ride a scenic railroad, camp, fish, and hike on a wealth of surrounding national forest trails. For more information: alamosa.org.

55. Grand Canyon North Rim
This unit of Grand Canyon National Park is open from mid-May through mid-October. Lodging, including rim-side cabins, hiking trails and scenic drives are located here. The closest gateway town with services is Jacob Lake.

56. Grand Canyon West/Hualapai Tourism
Hualapai Tourism offers cultural experiences at Grand Canyon West, Eagle Point, the glass bridge Skywalk, Guano Point and Hualapai Ranch. Visitor activities include helicopters to boats on the river, one-day white water rafting trips in Grand Canyon, and Hualapai Lodge on historic Route 66. For information: grandcanyonwest.com.

57. National Geographic Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Tusayan
Located 7 miles south of the national park entrance, National Geographic Visitor Center is an excellent starting point for a trip to Grand Canyon. Watch the “Grand Canyon Movie” in the center’s IMAX theater or browse the extensive bookstore. For more information: explorethecanyon.com.

58. San Francisco Peaks/Mt. Humphreys
Located in the Coconino Forest north of Flagstaff and en route to Grand Canyon, the San Francisco Peaks is also a sacred site to 14 different Native American tribes and is often covered with snow in winter. A network of national forest trails lead through high meadows and aspen groves.

59. Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry
Lees Ferry located upstream from Grand Canyon is the launching beach for Grand Canyon river trips and the only place where you can reach the Colorado River by car. A world-class trout fishery is here, along with a campground and boating. Lodging and dining are nearby at Vermilion Cliffs. For more information: nps.gov/glca.

60. Lake Powell
Lake Powell is just north of Grand Canyon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and offers loads of water recreation, plus dozens of slickrock canyons that can be explored on foot. Use Page, Ariz. as a base for Lake Powell day trips or rent a boat from Wahweap Marina for a multi-day camping trip. Contact: lakepowell.com.

61. Hopi Mesas
The Hopi Nation in northern Arizona includes villages on First and Second Mesa where tribal members have lived in the same communities for thousands of years. Guided tours of the villages are available as well as traditional Hopi crafts. For more information: experiencehopi.com

62. Havasu Falls
This and other famous Grand Canyon waterfalls are located on the Havasupai Nation. For more information: havasupaitribe.com.

63. Papillon Helicopters
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters offers bird’s eye views to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Over 40 unique excursions feature spectacular sights of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Monument Valley, Page/Lake Powell, and unforgettable views of the Grand Canyon. For more information: papillon.com.

64. Zion National Park/Kane County
This corner of Utah boasts crown jewels, including Zion National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and is convenient to Grand Canyon North Rim. For more information: kaneutah.com.

65. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon City with its convenient hotels is the gateway to Bryce Canyon National Park. Located next to the entrance to the park, the community offers a variety of visitor services. Stay at Historic Ruby’s Inn or Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel. For more information: brycecanyongrand.com and rubysinn.com.

66. Monument Valley/San Juan County
Located at the heart of  Four Corners, San Juan County is full of cultural and natural attractions  including Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, and Hovenweep, Natural Bridges, and Rainbow Bridge national monuments.  Learn of the Navajo culture at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Or examine ancient culture at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum. For more information: utahscanyoncountry.com.

Photo by Whit Richardson

Stay at Phantom Ranch
There is no better way to experience the Grand Canyon than seeing it from rim to river. The 9.5-mile trek down Bright Angel Trail via foot or mule will get you to historic Phantom Ranch. Spend a night or two at the canyon bottom and enjoy the flowing waters of Bright Angel Creek from the front porch of your cabin, take a hot shower and dine family style at the mess hall where you’ll strike up interesting conversation with visitors from all over the world.

Raft the Colorado River
While rafting the entire Grand Canyon can require several weeks, there are two options for short river trips. Colorado River Discovery outfitters runs trips on the flat water section of the Colorado from Glen Canyon dam to Lees Ferry. Contact: raftthecanyon.com. On the lower end of Grand Canyon, the Hualapai Tribe runs day trips on the Colorado which includes rapids. Contact: grandcanyonwest.com/rafting.

Climb Mount Humphreys
Round out your trek to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with a hike to the top of 12,000-foot high Mount Humphreys in the San Francisco Peaks, the tallest summit in Arizona and one of the few alpine tundra environments in the Southwest. The 4.7-mile Humphreys Trail starts at Snowbowl ski area north of Flagstaff on US 180.

Relax in Sedona
Pamper yourself after rugged days on the trail with a stay at one of Sedona’s world-class spas. Therapeutic spa treatments combine with the scenic red rock landscape and the area’s reputation for spiritual enlightenment to restore both the body and mind. Contact: visitsedona.com.

Tour Grand Canyon by Air
Experience the thrill of viewing Grand Canyon from the sky and surveying the vast natural wonder from rim to rim. Papillon Helicopters offers air tours from Boulder City, Nev. and Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan. Contact: Papillon.com

Go Kayaking on Lake Powell
Hidden Canyon Kayak in Page provides fully-outfitted day trips and multi-day kayak tours into Lake Powell side canyons that are often too narrow to be reached by motor boat. Contact: hiddencanyonkayak.com.

See Monument Valley
You’ve marveled at the photos of iconic Monument Valley, now experience the surreal landscape for yourself. Located on the Navajo Nation just north of Kayenta, tours with tribal guides (via jeep or horseback) are offered in Monument Valley Tribal Park. Contact: Navajonationparks.org.

Cool Off at the North Rim
The pleasant summer temperatures at the 7,000-foot elevation North Rim, sunset view from the lodge porch and experiencing Grand Canyon without the crowds is well worth the detour to this less-traveled unit of the national park reached via US 89A. Hiking trails wind through aspen grove along the rim. The road to Point Imperial leads to one of the most spectacular rim overlooks in the national park.

Hike in Southern Utah
Create you own multi-day hiking circuit with  hikes in the slot canyons of Zion National Park, around the hoo doos of Bryce Canyon National Park and across the colorful slickrock benches of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Or extend your trip with backpacking in Capital Reef or Canyonlands national parks or camping in Utah state parks. Contact: visitutah.com.

Mountain Bike in Moab
Take a spin around this mountain biking Mecca, home to world-famous single track through scenic slick rock canyon country and the 100-mile White Rim Trail. Added bonus:  Enjoying Moab’s restuarants , brew pubs and coffee shops. Contact: discovermoab.com.

Drive Route 66
Cruise through Americana on the historic stretch of Route 66 between Williams and Kingman.Stop at the famous Mr. D’s Diner in Kingman for a rootbeer float.

Photo by Whit Richardson

Day 1: Backpack to Indian Garden
Get a dawn start for an overnight trip or long day hike to Indian Garden, a lush oasis accessible via a 4.8 mile hike (one way) on the Bright Angel Trail. The unique riparian area, with its tall cottonwood trees and a perennial stream, was once farmed by members of the Havasupai Tribe. Permits for camping must be obtained in advance. If you have the energy, take a day hike from camp on the 1.5 mile (one way) trail to Plateau Point.

Day 2: Scope out Grandview Tower
After returning from your Indian Garden hike, venture to Tusayan (for breakfast or ice cream) and climb to the top of the 80-foot tall Grandview Lookout tower in the Kaibab National Forest on the Arizona Trail (suitable for hiking or mountain biking) to get a unique view of the Grand Canyon and surrounding area. A network of forest roads make excellent biking routes. From AZ 64 just south of Tusayan, drive east on FR 302 for 15 miles, then left on FR 310 to tower. For more: aztrail.org/passages_pass36.

Chill at the Imax Theater
Cool off on a hot afternoon at the National Geographic Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan where the 34-minute “Grand Canyon Movie” shows in a comfortable IMAX theater. Open daily; for more information: explorethecanyon.com.

Learn About Crazy Kolb Brothers
Tour the five story, 23-room studio of pioneering Grand Canyon photographers Ellsworth and Emery Kolb perched on the South Rim at Bright Angel Trailhead. In 1911, the brothers made history by rafting the Colorado River through Grand Canyon and filming the entire journey. Their studio is restored to its original 1905 condition and the Kolb gallery features free art exhibits.

Shop at Hopi House
Modeled after the pueblo architecture in the Hopi village of Old Oraibi in northern Arizona, members of the Hopi tribe built Hopi House more than a century ago. Today, it is the best place in the park
to learn about and purchase Native American crafts while also touring a Southwest pueblo.

Cocktails at El Tovar
Toast the end of an amazing day on the veranda of the El Tovar where outdoor seating provides spectacular South Rim views. An indoor lounge is also available. Appetizers and a limited dinner menu are served on the veranda and in the lounge.

Day 3: Cruise Desert View Drive
Soak in the scenery with a leisurely 25-mile day-long drive from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View with seven unique overlook points.

Picnic at Shoshone Point
Pack your lunch and make the easy 1.2 mile hike on a gated dirt road to Shoshone Point where there are picnic tables on the forested rim and quiet canyon views. If there are multiple cars in the road-side parking area it probably means the point has been rented out for a private event (picnic at Yaki Point or Buggeln Picnic Area instead).

Tour Ancient Tusayan Ruins
Learn about the Grand Canyon’s earliest human inhabitants with a walk through ruins from an Ancestral Puebloan community that lived at the South Rim 800 years ago. The adjoining museum has interpretive displays and relics  recovered from Grand Canyon that are up to 4,000 years old.

Climb Desert View Tower
Built in 1932 and designed by Mary Colter to look like an ancient Pueblo fortress, the 70-foot tall Desert View Tower is well worth the climb up four flights of stairs to the top. From here you can see spectacular canyon panoramas as well as the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff and the Painted Desert to the east.

Star Watch at Lipan Point
End your day at Lipan Point where a spur road to the overlook keeps out roadside noise and light pollution. The Milky Way and constellations are brilliantly clear.

Photo by Whit Richardson

Sunrise At Yaki Point
Hop a pre-dawn park shuttle from Grand Canyon Visitor Center to this quiet promontory  jutting from the South Rim. Yaki Point is closed to private vehicles and loaded with expansive views to the east and west. Perch on a picnic table, sip coffee and watch the show.

Breakfast at El Tovar
Fuel up for a big day with a power breakfast at this historic Grand Canyon Village hotel. For local flavor try the Sonoran style eggs with chicken and chorizo or the polenta corn cakes with prickly pear syrup and pistachio butter. Breakfast is served 6:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m.; no reservations necessary.

Watch “Journey of Wonder”
Ride the shuttle or walk on the Rim Trail to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center where there is a comfortable theater showing the recently produced “Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder.” The 20-minute film  is narrated by actor Peter Coyote and offers an entertaining primer on the national park’s natural and cultural history. The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m; film starts on the hour and half hour.

Learn about Geology
Walk a short distance on the Rim Trail from the Visitor’s Center to Yavapai Geology Museum. Peer through large plate glass windows looking onto the canyon panoramas and use interactive 3D topographic maps to learn the geologic story behind what you are seeing. Continue your education on the 1.3 mile Trail of Time, a geologic interpretive path that runs along the Rim Trail between the museum and Verkamp’s Visitor Center in Grand Canyon Village.

Picnic Lunch on Bright Angel
Now that you know your geologic layers, see the inside of the Grand Canyon for yourself with a 1.5 mile hike on the Bright Angel Trail to Mile and a Half Resthouse. Picnic in the shade of the shelter or a nearby perch where you can watch for condors that often ride the thermals here. (The deli in the grocery store at Canyon Village Marketplace is a good place to get a lunch to go; open 7 a.m.-9 p.m.)

Ride Hermit Road
Soak in the quiet beauty of canyon vistas along Hermit Road. Rent a bicycle and cruise the Greenway Trail section between Monument Creek and Hermits Rest or walk the Rim Trail for several miles as you make your way to Hopi Point. Those with weary legs can ride the park shuttle.

Sunset at Hopi Point
Jutting farther out from the South Rim than any other promontory, Hopi Point  is the place to be when the sun goes down. After sunset, hop a shuttle back to Grand Canyon Village.

Dinner at Arizona Room
Located in the Bright Angel Lodge, the Arizona Room features Southwest cuisine and rim side views of the canyon. Specialties include baby back ribs with smoky chipotle barbeque sauce and a prickly pear margarita. Open for dinner 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; seating is first come, first served (no reservations).

Ranger Night Program
End your day with a long look at the cosmos which shine bright in the dark skies over Grand Canyon. An evening ranger program is offered nightly (8 p.m. summer; 7 p.m. fall/spring) at McKee Amphitheater (summer) and Shrine of the Ages.

Map by Peter Sucheski

South Kaibab Trailhead
This 7-mile route is the most direct South Rim trail to the Colorado River (elevation change 4,860 vertical feet) but there is no water or camping along the way. No private vehicles allowed at South Kaibab trailhead; park at the Backcountry Information office and hop “Hiker Express” or park at Grand Canyon Visitor Center and take Kaibab (orange) shuttle.

Bright Angel Trailhead
Originally used by Native Americans to get down to what is now Indian Garden, this 9.5- mile rim-to-river trail (elevation change 4,460 vertical feet) is the most popular in the park for both hiking and mule rides. Several rest houses with shade and emergency phones are located along the trail. Water is available half-way at Indian Garden.

Indian Garden Campground
Located 4.8 miles from Bright Angel Trailhead, this oasis is shaded by tall cottonwood trees and has a stream running through it. A backcountry permit is required for overnight camping.

Plateau Point Trail
A 1.5 mile spur trail near Indian Garden leads to this precipice where hikers can peer 1,300 feet down to the Colorado River.

Tonto Trail
This trans-canyon route across the Tonto Platform extends from South Bass Trail in the western end of the park to Hance Creek (connecting with Escalante Route) in the east. The 4.6-mile corridor trails stretch connects Indian Garden/Bright Angel to Tip-Off Point/South Kaibab.

Bright Angel Campground
Nestled along the flowing waters of Bright Angel Creek and ½ mile north of the Colorado River, this campground is an excellent place to recover from the rigors of a steep canyon descent. Fishing is allowed in the creek with a license. Dinner (by reservation only, (888) 297-2757), cold beer and snacks are nearby at Phantom Ranch.

Phantom Ranch
This complex of 11 stone cabins, two dormitory style bunkhouses and a dining hall is only accessible by foot, mule or raft. Lodging reservations must be made well in advance; for information and rates.

Colorado River
Although the river here may appear inviting, the water (due to Glen Canyon dam upstream) is a frigid 48 degrees F year-round and dangerously swift. Better to cool your feet in Bright Angel creek.

42. Mile-and-a-half Resthouse
1.6 miles from rim

43. Three Mile Resthouse
3 miles from rim

44. River Resthouse
Located along Colorado River; 1.5 miles from Bright Angel Campground

45. Bright Angel “Silver” Suspension Bridge

46. River Trail
Follows the Colorado River for 1.7 miles between suspension bridges leading to South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails.

47. Clear Creek Trail
Beginning near Phantom Ranch, this 5-mile path (one way) follows Clear Creek to Cheyava Falls. During spring snowmelt season, the falls can drop 800 feet and are the tallest in Grand Canyon.

48. North Kaibab Trail
This 14-mile rim to river path departs just north of Phantom Ranch and leads up to the Grand Canyon’s north rim; access to the rim is closed in winter due to snow.

49. Kaibab “Black” Suspension Bridge

50. Tip-off
Junction with Tonto Trail; 4.4 miles from rim

51. Skeleton Point
3 miles from rim

52. Cedar Ridge
1.5 miles from rim

53. Ooh Aah Point
1 mile from rim

54. Rim Trail
Paved path extends along rim edge through Grand Canyon Village to South Kaibab Trailhead.

Desert View Drive
Hugging the South Rim for 25-miles, Desert View connects a half dozen scenic overlooks en route to the park’s east entrance. Private vehicles are allowed year-round; public park shuttle only goes as far a Yaki Point.

Yavapai Geology Museum
Located at Yavapai point, this “observation station” offers educational information about the canyon’s geologic story. Facility includes a Grand Canyon Association bookstore, restrooms and drinking water. Open daily 8 a.m. to sunset.

Rim Trail
Extending along the South Rim from Grand Canyon Village, this paved path is one mile between Yavapai Point and Grand Canyon Visitor Center (closed to bicycles). The 2.2-mile paved path running east of the Visitor Center to South Kaibab Trail is open to bicycles.

Greenway Trail
From Grand Canyon Village Market Plaza, this multi-use paved path leads to Grand Canyon Visitor Center (one mile) or to Yavapai Point (.5 mile).

Grandview Trailhead
From Grandview Point, the Grandview Trail drops 2,600 feet in elevation as it descends to Horseshoe Mesa—a steep 3 mile trip (one way) and an excellent day hike (no water).

New Hance Trailhead
This unsigned trailhead is located about one mile west of Moran Point (park at the point) and marked by a “no parking” sign along the north side of the road. This 6.5-mile trail is a difficult rim to river route with no water until it reaches the mouth of Red Canyon and Hance Rapid on the Colorado River.

Tusayan Ruins and Museum
Learn about the Grand Canyon’s ancient human history by touring the remains of a pueblo community dating back to 1100 A.D. Adjoining the site is a museum with more archaeological displays and artifacts found in Grand Canyon including split twig figures that are 4,000 years old. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tanner Trailhead
Starting on the road east of Lipan Point (park at the point), this 9-mile unmaintained rim to river trail offers challenge and solitude for experienced backpackers. There is no water except at the river where hikers can camp next to the roar of Tanner Rapid.

Desert View Visitor Center

South Kaibab Trailhead

Grand Canyon Visitor Center

28. Yavapai Point
Located on the Rim Trail next to Yavapai Geology Museum, this vantage point offers views down into Bright Angel Canyon; those with sharp vision can see Phantom Ranch at canyon bottom.

29. Mather Point
Located next to Grand Canyon Visitor Center, this is a good place for day visitors to park their vehicle, get oriented and hop a shuttle or walk/bike the Rim Trail to other locations.

30. Mather Amphitheater
Looking out onto a spectacular view, this open-air facility at Grand Canyon Visitor Center is the site of ranger talks and other seasonal programs.

31. Pipe Creek Vista
Escape the crowds at Mather Point by walking 1.3 miles along the Rim Trail to this vantage point and shuttle stop.

32. Yaki Point
Closed to private vehicles, Yaki Point is a quiet promontory with sweeping vistas. Restrooms and picnic tables are available. The South Kaibab Trailhead is located on the road to Yaki Point, which is also the eastern terminus of the Rim Trail. Accessible year-round by park shuttle including a direct “Hiker’s Express.”

33. Shoshone Point
Located 1.2 miles east of Yaki Point at an unsigned parking lot on the north side of Desert View Drive, this quiet vista is reached with a one mile hike down a gated dirt road.

34. Grandview Point
Location of the Grandview Trailhead, this overlook was the site of a hotel in the late 1800s that boasted the best views of the canyon.

35. Buggeln Picnic Area
Restrooms make this a good pit stop along Desert View Drive but it is exposed to traffic. For a quiet picnic choose Yaki or Shoshone points instead.

36. Moran Point
Named after famous landscape artist Thomas Moran who spent every winter in the Grand Canyon from 1899 to 1920.

37. Lipan Point
An excellent sunset vantage point, from here you can watch the changing colors of Palisades of the Desert cliffs and see the Colorado River far below.

38. Navajo Point
Enjoy more views of the Colorado River from here.

39. Desert View Watchtower
Built in 1932, this 70-foot tall tower is the highest vantage point on the South Rim.Open daily 8 a.m. – 30 minutes before sunset.

40. Desert View Marketplace
This East Entrance shopping hub includes a convenience-store grocery selection, gas station, snack bar and gift shop. Open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. summer; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. winter.

41. Desert View Campground