It was early in the morning, cloudy, and freezing cold, when we walked to the Hermit’s Rest Transfer Station from the parking area at the Maswik Lodge nearby. After examining the Grand Canyon National Park shuttle bus maps and the map of the Red Route, which travels along Hermit Road to Hermit’s Rest, we decided to make our adventure a combination of walking, hiking, and riding the shuttle.
We started with a quick shuttle ride to Trailview Overlook and luckily, we didn’t have to wait in line. We hopped on the shuttle right away, stepped off at the overlook, and were in awe of our surroundings. The day before we explored all of Desert View Drive, the scenic overlooks along the road, and visited the Desert View Watchtower and the Tusayan Ruins, and while the views of Grand Canyon were incredible, the views along Hermit Road are even better!
With multiple sets of stairs leading to two large observation platforms and majestic scenic viewpoints, Trailview Overlook in Grand Canyon National Park offers breathtaking views of Grand Canyon Village, the Bright Angel Trail, and the canyon below.
From the Grand Canyon Trailview Overlook, you’re towering above the Bright Angel Trail and you can see the steep trail switchbacking down the canyon walls and traveling through Indian Garden and across Plateau Point, the resthouses along the trail, and tiny specs that are the hikers making their way up or down the trail. You can also see the Grand Canyon Village Historic District and the El Tovar Hotel sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon south rim, as well as the Bill Williams Mountain, the San Francisco Peaks, and the Red Butte from the overlook.
If you’ve considered hiking the Bright Angel Trail, you may want to stop at this scenic overlook first to get a look at what you’ll be in for!
Know Before You Go
- Trailview Overlook is located on Hermit Road west of Grand Canyon Village, Arizona 86023 in Grand Canyon National Park, Coconino County.
- Hermit Road follows the South Rim for 7.0 miles from Grand Canyon Village to Hermit’s Rest. The Canyon Rim Trail also travels from Grand Canyon Village to Hermit’s Rest, but over 7.8 miles because it hugs the edge of the canyon rim and runs between Hermit Road and Grand Canyon.
- Don’t want to hike the entire Canyon Rim Trail? No problem? You can walk/hike between scenic overlooks or take the shuttle and mix it up, so you could walk the shorter distances and ride the shuttle for the longer distances.
- In the winter, you can drive your own vehicle from scenic viewpoint to scenic viewpoint, but the rest of the year, you need to ride the free shuttle bus.
- Traveling from Grand Canyon Village, the Hermit Road (Red) Shuttle Route stops at nine overlooks — Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point, and Hermit’s Rest. Traveling from Hermit’s Rest to Grand Canyon Village, the shuttle stops at only four overlooks — Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave, and Powell Points.
- You can also travel to Hermit’s Rest by bike. If you didn’t bring a bike, you can rent a bike at Bright Angel Bicycles near the South Rim Visitor Center.
- The nearest restrooms are at the Bright Angel Trail trailhead.
