Have you ever wondered where the very best views of the Grand Canyon can be found? The answer is the Desert View Watchtower. This historic, seven-story structure lets you gaze over 100 miles into the canyon on clear days! Here’s everything you need to know.

The Desert View Watchtower was designed in 1932 by architect Mary Coulter.
Wikimedia Commons/Vladsinger
It reflects the architecture of the ancestral Puebloans of the Colorado Plateau.
Visitors can climb to the top of the seven-story monolith.
Flickr/Grand Canyon National Park
On a clear day, you can gaze over 100 miles into the South Rim of the Grand Canyon!
Inside, you'll find the Kiva Room, which now serves as a retail shop.
National Park Service
The shop is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

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How cool is this view looking up from the second floor?
Wikimedia Commons/Vladsinger
There must be hundreds - if not thousands - of petroglyphs on the walls and ceiling.
At night, you can see trillions of stars glimmering above the Watchtower.
Wikimedia Commons/Grand Canyon National Park
It's a truly remarkable sight.
While the area is stunning in every season, we highly recommend visiting in the winter at least once.
Wikimedia Commons/NPS Photo - Erin Huggins
The dense fog combined with the snow-covered ground is a scene that will be forever etched into your memory.
If you need a more accessible adventure, consider Desert View Drive. This 23-mile scenic road leads from the Grand Canyon Village to the Desert View Watchtower.
TripAdvisor/Management
It features six developed and five unmarked canyon viewpoints, as well as four picnic areas. You'll also see the ruins of an Ancestral Puebloan village, plus a museum that brings it to life with 2,000–4,000-year-old historical relics.

Please note: the tower itself is currently closed, but the trail at its base and the retail shop are open. Visit the National Park Service website for updates.

Have you ever climbed to the top of the Desert View Watchtower? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience! Tell us in the comments section below. Check out our previous article to learn more about Desert View Drive.

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Featured Addresses
Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA