Desert View Watchtower at a glance
The Desert View Watchtower is a stone tower on the rim at the east end of the South Rim. You reach it by Desert View Drive, which is AZ 64 from Grand Canyon Village, a distance of 23 miles (37 km). Private vehicles can use the road all year, although temporary closures for snow and ice are possible. The park's East Entrance is also at Desert View, so the tower works as a first stop if you arrive from the east.
No public shuttle runs all the way to Desert View in the fall lines. If you do not want to drive, a guided trip along the road is an option: see Grand Canyon tours for jeep and bus tours, or tours from Phoenix and Sedona.
Desert View Watchtower hours and tickets
The ground floor is easy. The upper levels depend on staff and a timed ticket.
View Room and park store
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is the base of the tower and the part you can count on.
Upper levels
Open only when enough staff are on duty, and with a free timed ticket collected on site. A group is limited to 25 people and a visit lasts 20 minutes. This is not a reservation for the national park, only for the tower.
Last entry
The last ticket is handed out at 3:40 p.m. and the last entry is at 4 p.m. The stairs close at 4:30 p.m. Do not plan to arrive at closing time.
Fuel and food
The Trading Post and the market and deli are closed for the winter season, and camping is closed. There is no lodge at Desert View. A card-operated fuel pump is open 24 hours, so fill up before you drive back.
Our picks: to Desert View
The jeep and sunset tours start near the village and include the entry; the Sedona tour reaches the Watchtower on a full day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Classic Grand Canyon tour from Sedona
- Regular park entry
- Professional guide
- Desert View Watchtower
Eleven hours with hotel pickup, a professional guide, the regular park entry, Grand Canyon Village and the Desert View Watchtower. The $100 non-US surcharge is extra.
Check availability →
Desert View sunset tour with park entry
- Park entry
- Certified guide
- IMAX tickets
Three hours with a certified guide to the eastern viewpoints at sunset, with the park entry and IMAX tickets.
Check availability →Desert View and South Rim jeep tour
- Certified guide
- Park entry
- IMAX tickets
Three hours with a certified guide along the rim to Desert View, with the park entry and IMAX tickets.
Check availability →Grand Canyon tours from the South Rim
Bus tours, jeep tours and helicopter flights that include the South Rim, with live prices and availability.
Desert View Drive: viewpoints on the way
The road passes several stops between the Village and the tower.
| Stop | What to know | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Grandview Point | At mile marker 251, elevation 2,256 m (about 7,400 ft). Starting point of the very steep Grandview Trail | Open |
| Lipan Point | A separate viewpoint, not the same as Navajo Point | Viewpoint and access road closed to all visitors from 22 June to 23 December 2026 |
| Tusayan Pueblo | Season from 2 April to 31 October 2026, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. depending on weather and staff | Check which days it opens before you go |
| Desert View Watchtower | View Room, upper levels with timed ticket | See above |
For most visitors with a car, a good plan is an unhurried drive: stop at Grandview Point, then the tower, then turn back at your own pace. Lipan Point is closed, so skip it for now. If you want an easy introduction to the first viewpoints, start at Mather Point.
Grandview Point and the Grandview Trail
Grandview Point is a stop on the drive, at mile marker 251. It is also where the Grandview Trail starts. The trail is very steep, so treat it as a serious hike and not a short walk to the edge. Details on trails that are open right now are on Grand Canyon hikes.
If you are not hiking, the viewpoint is a good place to stretch your legs on the way to the tower. Keep at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the edge, stay behind railings and do not feed wildlife.
A jeep tour along the drive
A guided jeep tour on the paved drive is the simplest way to see the east side without driving. One example runs along Desert View Drive for 2 hours, with a stop at Grandview Point and other stops that vary. In fall 2026 the price is $130 for adults and $120 for children aged 2 to 15, plus a private group rate of $1,040 for 2 to 8 people, before taxes. The group price is for the whole group, not per person. The minimum age is 2.
The park entry for such a tour applies to the tour only. If you come back on your own, you need your own pass. Whether a tour price covers the extra $100 fee for visitors from outside the United States depends on the operator, so check the details before booking. Fees are explained on the entrance fee page.
Plan your Desert View day
Links to the pages that pair best with this drive.
Sunrise and sunset spots
Which viewpoints suit which time of day, with sample sunrise and sunset times.
Hermit Road and Hermits Rest
The shuttle road on the other side of the Village.
Getting to the South Rim
Drive times from Williams, Flagstaff and Phoenix.
If your trip continues to northern Arizona after Desert View, our sister guide covers Horseshoe Bend and other stops outside the park.
Desert View Watchtower: frequently asked questions
What are the Desert View Watchtower hours?
The View Room and park store are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The upper levels open only when enough staff are on duty, with a free timed ticket collected on site. The last ticket is given out at 3:40 p.m., the last entry is at 4 p.m., and the stairs close at 4:30 p.m.
Do I need to book the tower in advance?
No. The timed ticket is free and collected on site. It is not a reservation for the national park.
How far is Desert View from Grand Canyon Village?
It is 23 miles (37 km) along AZ 64, also called Desert View Drive.
Is Lipan Point open?
No. Lipan Point and its access road are closed to all visitors from 22 June to 23 December 2026. Navajo Point is a different viewpoint.
Can I buy food or fuel at Desert View?
The Trading Post and the market and deli are closed for the winter season. A card-operated fuel pump is open 24 hours.
Is this the official Desert View page?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not connected to the National Park Service, the park's lodging operators or any tour company. Check current hours and road conditions with the National Park Service before you go.