[2025 Coconino County Attraction] Travel Guide for Desert View Watchtower (Updated Sep)

Get ready for epic canyon vibes! 🌄 My Arizona adventure took me through Coconino County’s jaw-dropping Grand Canyon Village, hitting up dramatic overlooks, a legendary Watchtower, historic sites, and the ultimate chill campground experience. Top Spots to Visit Desert View Visitor Center (Desert Vw Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023) is your starter hub. Grab maps, ask rangers for pro hiking and sightseeing tips, and refill your bottles before heading out. Desert View Watchtower (Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, open 8:20am–5:00pm) is a must! The climb is easy, and the 360° views from up top? Unreal. 📸 Bonus: Awesome murals inside, so don’t skip the interior. East Rim Drive (Grand Canyon National Park, AZ) – Just drive and stop at every overlook you can! Early morning is best for cooler weather and less crowding. Make sure your camera’s charged; Navajo Point has knockout sunrise/sunset views. The National Historic Landmark - 1956 TWA-United Airlines Accident Site (Near Watchtower, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023) is a moving detour. Pause here for a moment of reflection amid the scenic grandeur. Desert View Campground (Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023) is the spot to unplug. Reserve ahead – sites go fast! Pro tip: Arrive midday to snag better campsite choices, and pack layers, since Arizona nights can get chilly even in summer. Getting Around & Extra Tips: Rent a car for total freedom – the rim roads are easy to drive and parking is decent at Desert View spots. Cell service is spotty, so download maps offline on trip.com before you roll in. Bring snacks; dining options get sparse outside Grand Canyon Village proper. #GrandCanyonViews #ArizonaAdventure #CoconinoCounty #TravelTips #RoadTripUSA

Unforgettable Views on the Grand Canyon East Rim Drive 🚗🌄 Cruising East Rim Drive is pure Arizona roadtrip magic: dramatic canyon views, scenic pullouts, and local legends everywhere you look! 🚙✨ Start your journey at Desert View Visitor Center (Desert Vw Rd). Stock up on maps and hydration—weather here can be unpredictable even on sunny days. A quick stroll leads you to the Desert View Watchtower (open 08:20-17:00). Climb to the top for breathtaking panoramic shots; sunrise and sunset here are especially insta-worthy—don’t forget a wide-angle lens! Next, drive westward and pause at the National Historic Landmark—1956 TWA-United Airlines Accident Site (near Watchtower). It’s a poignant lookout; take a moment to reflect and snap the wide vistas beyond. Continue along East Rim Drive, stopping at every marked overlook—each offers unique photo ops. Navajo Point and Lipan Point are personal favorites for classic canyon layers and Colorado River glimpses. Keep an eye out for wildlife (especially in the quieter morning hours!) and bring snacks so you can picnic with a view. If you’re feeling adventurous and want a night under the stars, Desert View Campground is perfectly placed—book ahead during peak season, and pack layers because nights are chilly even in summer! Tips: Start early to beat crowds and heat. Cell signal can be spotty, so download maps beforehand. Always keep water handy; the desert is sneaky-dry! I loved taking breaks from driving for short walks at each viewpoint—they’re easy and rewarding. #GrandCanyon #ArizonaRoadtrip #EastRimDrive #EpicViews #TravelTips

🗺️🗺️ [Itinerary] Day 1:The Henry-Red Rock Scenic Byway-Chapel of the Holy Cross-Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout-The Hudson-Sedona Stargazing Day 2:Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village-Hideaway House-Devil's Bridge Trailhead Day 3:Hilton Vacation Club Ridge on Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon-Grand Canyon South-Mather Point-Rim Trail-El Tovar Lodge Dining Room-Grandview Point-Moran Point-Lipan Point-Desert View Watchtower-Hopi Point Day 4:Yavapai Lodge-Yavapai Point-Antelope Canyon-Dara Thai Express-Horseshoe Bend-The Oakmont Day 5:Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport - Phx 📍📍 [Must-Visit Attractions] 1.Red Rock Scenic Byway 2.Chapel of the Holy Cross 3.Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout 4.Sedona Stargazing 5.Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village 6.Devil's Bridge Trailhead 7.Oak Creek Canyon 8.Grand Canyon South 9.Mather Point 10.Rim Trail 11.Grandview Point 12.Moran Point 13.Lipan Point 14.Desert View Watchtower 15.Hopi Point 16.Yavapai Point 17.Antelope Canyon 18.Horseshoe Bend 🥘🥘 [Must-Try Food] 1.The Henry 2.The Hudson 3.Hideaway House 4.El Tovar Lodge Dining Room 5.Dara Thai Express 6.The Oakmont 🏠🏠 [Accommodation ] 1.Hilton Vacation Club Ridge on Sedona 2.Yavapai Lodge 3.Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport - Phx 📷📷 [Photo Spots] 📣📣 [Tips] #travel #couplestrip #naturalwonders #thingstodo #myitinerary

The Grand Canyon is truly breathtaking! 🤩 Every turn is a sight to behold. This time, we made a special trip to the Desert View Watchtower, an observation deck on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Admission is free, and there's even a small souvenir shop. The view from the top is truly a visual delight. From certain angles, you can even see the Colorado River. I highly recommend making this a stop for anyone visiting the Grand Canyon. The scenery along the way is truly stunning, day or night. The sheer power of nature is truly a must-see! 😎 I hope everyone will visit the Grand Canyon if they have the chance! 🧡

At the height of the summer Grand Canyon village can become overwhelmingly busy with bus loads of tourists arriving from Las Vegas and beyond. For a moment of quieter contemplation whilst viewing the spectacular natural scenery, heading to the east and the Desert view watchtower may be the perfect answer. Not only do you get a spectacular view over the canyon especially looking west at sunset but you can also visit the tower itself to gain another perspective. Entry is free, but you must pick up a ticket for a timed entry. #grandcanyon #wonderoftheworld

This is an important viewpoint in the desert scenic spot. It is an attraction that we traveled all the way to Peggy City after visiting the red line. It is a 21-meter-high stone building at the end of the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon. came here, but it gave us a surprise in the Grand Canyon tour. why? Because you can finally bid farewell to the gigantic landscape of the Grand Canyon, you can clearly see the Colorado River. The watchtower has four floors with murals inside. The first floor is now a gift shop, and the summit overlooks the Grand Canyon from west to east, and then becomes a gradual scene of Pingchuan. But after all, its still in the canyon, and its a must-have canyon. opening time: 8