AZ - Grand Canyon Desert View by Gordon

Grand Canyon Desert View

~ Gordon

South Rim map

View from the Watchtower

Moran Point

Moran Point

Grandview Point

     Desert View is a drive leading to the Watchtower of Grand Canyon, and lots of view points, where people can drive their own car to visit. It is a small settlement on the South Rim, and near the eastern edge of Grand Canyon. Arizona Highway 64, also known as Desert View Drive, is a scenic road that connects Desert View with Grand Canyon Village. We decided to see the sunset at Desert View before set up our tent at Mather Campground, Grand Canyon Village.

At the Watchtower

At the Watchtower

At the Watchtower

At the Watchtower

At the Watchtower

At the Watchtower

Inside the Watchtower

Inside the Watchtower

Indian finger painting
inside the Watchtower

Inside the Watchtower

Inside the Watchtower

     The famous Watchtower lies at the first thing we saw from the visitor center. Following the sign "Desert View", we arrived at a huge parking lot. It includes restrooms, water station, gift shop, and cafeteria. I know this must be a big stop on the map. Followed the pathway,  the Watchtower came into my eyes. The tower is tremendous, bigger and taller than I thought it was much smaller, compared to the one I saw on the video prior to our trip.

View from the Watchtower

View from the Watchtower

View from the Watchtower

View from the Watchtower

View from the Watchtower

View from the Watchtower

View from the Watchtower

View from the Watchtower

     Watchtower provides beautiful view of the Grand Canyon Desert View. The Watchtower is an Native American style tower, dominates the near view. This structure was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter who's nickname is The Architect of the Southwest. She traveled throughout the southwest to find inspiration and authenticity for her buildings. She always had to sign her name as a man's name because at her time, only men were qualified to be an architects.

Desert View from Watchtower

     Navajo Point, Lipan Point, Moran Point, and Grand View point were really fun in many ways. Navajo Point, Lipan Point, Moran Point, and Grand View point were all reached by our car, and we never missed any. All of the views were good. I saw a very pretty sunset of the Grand Canyon while riding in the car.

Navajo Point

Navajo Point

Navajo Point

Navajo Point

Navajo Point

Navajo Point

Navajo Point

Lipan Point

Lipan Point

Lipan Point

Tusayan Museum and Ruin

     It was already 7 PM when we stopped by Tusayan Museum and Ruins. The museum was closed at 5:00, so we had a nice quiet little trail walk around the self guided ruins. 

Living Quarters

Living Quarters

Storage Room

Large Kiva, Ceremonial Room

Large Kiva, Ceremonial Room

Small Kiva, Ceremonial Room

Moran Point

Moran Point

Moran Point

Moran Point

Moran Point

Moran Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Grandview Point

Campfire at Mather Campground

     Desert view was very pretty, and so was the Navajo Point, Lipan Point, Moran Point, and Grand View point. Tusayan Museum and Ruins was unique with the ruins all by itself. Grand Canyon Desert View was very beautiful.