The park concessioner's narrated motorcoach tour from Grand Canyon Village along Desert View Drive, 52 miles round trip, with stops at Yaki Point, Moran Point, Navajo Point and the Desert View Watchtower.
Desert View Drive runs east from Grand Canyon Village along the South Rim for about 25 miles, ending at the Desert View Watchtower where the canyon turns and widens. This tour, run by Grand Canyon Lodges, the park's main concessioner, covers the full drive and back in a narrated motorcoach. It is the lowest-cost guided way to see the eastern rim, and a good choice if you came by train or shuttle and have no car in the park.
The tour takes about three and a half to four hours and covers 52 miles round trip. Your driver-guide narrates the geology, history and wildlife along the way and stops at a series of overlooks. Yaki Point comes first, a viewpoint private cars cannot drive to.
Then come Moran Point and Navajo Point, the highest spot on the South Rim, before you reach Desert View, where you have time to climb the Watchtower designed by Mary Colter and look down on the Colorado River. Lipan Point is a seasonal stop and can be closed for maintenance.
Times change with the season. From March through November the tour leaves Bright Angel Lodge at 7:00 a.m. and Maswik Lodge at 7:10 a.m. From December through February it leaves at 9:00 and 9:10 a.m. Children aged 2 and under ride free, and there are reduced child fares.
A combination ticket adds one of the shorter rim tours, either Hermit's Rest, Sunrise or Sunset, which you can take on another day. Reconfirm by phone at least two days before, and collect your ticket at the transportation desk the day before or check in an hour before departure.
One planning point
Check current lodging status inside the park before you plan an overnight stay. Without a room in the village you will be driving in from Tusayan, Williams or Flagstaff for an early departure. Allow time for the entrance station and parking. Park entry is not included, so you need a valid pass.
What to expect
The experience
March to November: Bright Angel Lodge at 7:00 a.m. or Maswik Lodge at 7:10 a.m. December to February: 9:00 a.m. or 9:10 a.m. from the same lodges. Yaki Point, Moran Point, Navajo Point and the Desert View Watchtower. Lipan Point is a seasonal stop and can be closed for maintenance. Your driver-guide narrates throughout, covering the canyon's geology, cultural history and wildlife.
Best time
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons; summer is hot at the rim and winter can bring snow, so dress in layers.
How long
Plan for about 3.5 to 4 hours.
Tips
Time at Desert View lets you climb the Watchtower, browse the shop and walk to the overlook above the river. Reconfirm at least two days ahead by phone, then collect tickets at the transportation desk the day before or check in at least an hour before departure. A jeep tour from Tusayan covers the same road in a smaller open vehicle with more flexible stops. The bus is cheaper and leaves from inside the park. A warm layer for early starts, water and snacks. Services in the village have been limited under water restrictions.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors without a car in the park, and budget travelers who want a guided look at the eastern rim.
- Families
- A long day on a coach. Bring snacks, charging cables and something for children to do, and check the minimum age when you book.
- Couples
- No driving means you can both enjoy the scenery and the stops; sit toward the front for the best views.
- Pair with
- The combination ticket adds Hermit's Rest, Sunrise or Sunset for a small extra cost, and the second tour can be on a different day.
- Time needed
- About 3.5 to 4 hours.
Good questions
Where does the Desert View tour start?+
From Bright Angel Lodge or Maswik Lodge in Grand Canyon Village. You need to be inside the park, so allow time to get through the entrance station.
How long is the tour?+
About three and a half to four hours, covering 52 miles round trip along Desert View Drive.
Can I do this drive myself?+
Yes. Desert View Drive is open to private cars, except the short road to Yaki Point. The tour adds narration and saves you the driving and parking.
Is park entry included?+
No. You need a valid park pass. Non-US residents aged 16 and over also owe the nonresident fee at the entrance.
Do the tours run while in-park hotels are closed?+
Check current alerts and reconfirm before your trip.
