If you are heading to the Grand Canyon, you need to find the best views Grand Canyon South Rim.
The South Rim is definitely the more popular of the two sides of the Grand Canyon since it is open year-round and much easier to get to (it’s where all the hotels are!). But it is absolutely gorgeous and popular for good reason.
These 5 spots are the best views on Grand Canyon South Rim that you have to check out. We visited when the Red Line Bus was open so accessing these points was easy and not too crowded as it was November.
We’ll go over the best views Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon sunset point, Grand Canyon free viewpoints, Mather Point Grand Canyon, and more!
This post is all about the best views Grand Canyon South Rim you cannot miss on your next trip!
Best Views Grand Canyon South Rim
Maricopa Point
Maricopa Point was our first stop of many along the South Rim and it left a lasting impression. It is a short trip from Grand Canyon Village as it is only 9 stops on the Red Line. The walking path is short, flat, and mostly paved. All making this the perfect stop for sunrise along the South Rim. With the end of the path leading out past the edge of the Canyon on a short jetty, you are able to get more than a 180º view of the Canyon around you.
In November at sunrise, we only came across one other couple here and it was incredibly peaceful and beautiful. The viewpoint has rails along the entire edge although it is a fairly small platform. The path leading up is also beautiful and keep an eye out for animals!
Mohave Point
Mohave Point is another popular spot for sunrise and sunset as it has both east and west-facing views. Although you cannot see both sides at the same time since the stopping point is quite large, it is well worth it to wait out a sunset here. We waited along the west side under a pair of trees with a bench and watched the sun until it dipped behind the horizon. We then hopped over to the east side to see the full moon and the beautiful colors as the sun was falling.
There are quite a few picnic tables and benches at this point and doesn’t require much hiking. Although the path is much rockier and has some stairs if you are looking to go to the very edges. The worst part for me was that most of the edges don’t have railings so please be careful!
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Powell Point
Powell Point is dedicated to Mr. John Wesley Powell, a Civil War hero that was the first person to navigate the entire Colorado River (twice)! His story is incredible and this whole viewpoint is dedicated to him. It is also the location of the dedication ceremony of the Grand Canyon in 1920, making it a National Park.
And a tip, if you walk all the way to the end of the trail, you can climb down (if it’s safe and you are able to) to a rock platform that overlooks the canyon. Since there weren’t too many visitors while we were there, there was never too long of a line of people waiting to go down and take their photos. It makes for a great photo opportunity!
You can also easily walk along the trail toward Hopi Point on an easy 0.3 mile, 7 min walk or Maricopa Point on a 0.5-mile walk.
Mather’s Point
Mather’s Point is our one recommended stop that is away from the West Rim Drive (Red Line). Since we stayed at Bright Angel Lodge in the village, the Red Line bus was just outside making exploring that side of the park easier. However, we did drive over to Mather’s Point on our last morning for sunrise and we are so glad we did!
This is probably the “main stop” of South Rim so you are likely to end up here, and for good reason. There is a visitor’s center and cafe as well as a large parking lot. The path down to the viewpoint is an easy walk on a well-paved path. There are plenty of places to sit close to the railings to relax and enjoy the view. And best of all, this point jets out quite a ways giving spectacular views on both sides.
This was the busiest stop along our trip and we are happy we arrived early for the sunrise because it got pretty crowded as the morning went on. But the sunrise was beautiful. We always love being able to turn away from the sun toward the west to see the beautiful colors light up the sky and this gave the perfect opportunity for that.
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Hermit’s Rest
Hermit’s Rest is the end of the Red Line bus system and the end of the hiking trail from the village. If you decide to hike the entire path, 7 miles, you will be rewarded with a park and gift shop and of course, more spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. We liked this one best because you can walk past the gift shop and get away from the crowds. Many of the other stops are quite small and have a limited number of areas to sit but Hermit’s Rest was much larger.
There are some picnic tables along the ridge towards the end of the trail and this could make a great place for a lunch spot (if it’s not too hot!). This is also the stop with the Herit Trailhead which is a strenuous hike into the canyon.
