Grandview Point is one of six improved scenic overlooks between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point and trust me, you’re going to want to stop at every single one. Each scenic vista point along the South Rim of Grand Canyon offers unique views of the vast canyon from improved observation areas with interpretive signs, historic photos, and occasionally benches to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery.
Sitting at 7,399 feet elevation, Grandview Point is a scenic overlook on Desert View Drive in Grand Canyon National Park and the trailhead for the historic Grandview Trail. The vista point offers magnificent panoramic views of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River below, including prominent buttes like Rama Shrine, Krishna Shine, Vishnu Shrine, and Shiva Temple.
Grandview is also a popular stop because it is also the location of a historic hotel that no longer exists and the upper portion of an old copper mining establishment.
Last Chance Mine And Grandview Hotel
Approximately 2,500 feet below Grandview Point Overlook sits Horseshoe Mesa. There in 1890, Pete Berry and other miners discovered copper and began digging the Last Chance Mine. Berry and his crew built a 3.0 mile long trail to the mine — one of the finest trails built in Grand Canyon during the pioneer period. It remains today as Grandview Trail.
While the ore was rich, the amount of ore was small and mining in the area proved only briefly profitable. This drove Berry to turn to tourists to make money. In 1893, Berry offered crude lodging in a cabin at Grandview and began guiding eager, mule-riding patrons into the canyon. In 1897, he built a two-story log hotel and later added a large frame building to the property.
Until 1901, Grandview was Grand Canyon’s most popular tourist destination. Grandview boasted the best hotel, and as some claimed, the best trail. After 1901, when the Santa Fe Railroad reached Grand Canyon Village, more than 11 miles west of Grandview, almost no one wanted to take the rough, jarring stagecoach ride to Berry’s hotel. Then in 1907, copper prices crashed and in 1919, Berry and his wife Martha moved to their con’s ranch outside Grand Canyon National Park.
Grandview Trail
Grandview Trail is a rough, steep route for well-prepared hikers. Because it was created by copper miners who only needed to reach their mine, the trail doesn’t extend to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon. Spur trails however, lead to the Tonto Trail and overnight hikers can continue to the bottom of the canyon.
- It is 3.0 miles from the overlook to Horseshoe Mesa.
- It is 6.8 miles from the overlook to the Tonto Trail Junction.
- It is 13.0 miles from the overlook to the Colorado River at Hance Rapid.
The trail is not regularly maintained, very steep and very rugged. In the summer most of the trail is in full sun and in the winter, upper portions are dangerous due to packed snow and ice.
Know Before You Go
- Grandview Point is a scenic overlook on the Desert View Drive portion of Arizona Highway 64 in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona 86023. It is in Coconino County in Grand Canyon National Park.
- Grandview Point sits at 7,399 feet elevation. The trees have grown to obstruct the views at this lookout point, but you can hike down the trail just a little bit to get in front of the trees.
- You do not need to ride the free park shuttle to access Grandview Point. Desert View Drive is accessible by personal vehicle.
- Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa and the site of Last Chance Mine is 3.0 miles on a steep and rugged trail that is not regularly maintained. It is for experienced and well-prepared hikers only.
- Horseshow Mesa is the site of historic mining. Mine shafts are dangerous and old timber supports can collapse without warning. Do not enter the mines or disturb mining artifacts.
- There is a vault toilet at the scenic overlook and at Horseshow Mesa.
