The best places to see sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon

Where’s the best place to watch sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon? I watched the sun go down from Mather Point and Lipan Point and walked the Rim Trail past the Hermit Road viewpoints. These are the spots worth setting an alarm for, how to reach them (some are shuttle-only), and which are closed right now.

The Grand Canyon already boasts sheer cliffs, layer upon layer of red and ochre rock, and the Colorado River glinting a mile below. Add the low light of sunrise or sunset and the whole thing changes colour in front of you.

Seeing sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon is an experience I’d plan a trip around. On my first evening at the South Rim, in July, I watched the sky turn orange over the canyon from Mather Point. The next evening, I drove out along Desert View Drive to Lipan Point, where the river curls through the canyon below and the light turned everything gold.

So, where should you go? Here are the best places for sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon, plus the viewpoints that are worth seeing at any time of day.

Grab your camera, you’re not going to be short of photo opportunities.

Read next: discover the stunning hikes in Grand Canyon National Park so you can leave with memories to last a lifetime.

At a glance

• Best for sunrise: Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Yaki Point and Desert View on the South Rim; Point Imperial on the North Rim.
• Best for sunset: Hopi, Mohave and Pima Points on Hermit Road, plus Desert View and Lipan Point; Cape Royal on the North Rim.
• Getting there: Hermit Road is closed to private cars from 1 March to 30 November, so take the free Hermit Road (Red) shuttle. Yaki Point is shuttle-only all year.
• Timing: Arizona doesn’t use daylight saving time. Sunrise is around 5.10am in midsummer and 7.30am in midwinter; sunset is around 7.45pm in midsummer and 5.20pm in midwinter.
• Closures: Lipan Point is closed until 23 December 2026. On the North Rim, Bright Angel Point is closed after the 2025 fire, and the roads to Point Imperial and Cape Royal are closed until 3 November 2026.

Best places to see the sunrise at the Grand Canyon

Mather Point

Mather Point is the classic first view of the Grand Canyon, and it’s where I watched my first Grand Canyon sunset. It’s easy to reach, the vantage point is excellent, and it’s just a five-minute walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and its car parks.

The viewing areas jut out over the edge, so you truly feel on top of the world. The only drawback is that everyone knows Mather Point is the best-known sunrise spot in the park, so get there early to claim a space on the rail.

If you don’t mind the crowds, it’s a must-visit. At sunrise, the sun comes up to the east, on your right as you face the canyon, and lights the canyon to your left in a beautiful golden glow. It’s just as good at sunset: that’s when I was there, and the sky put on a show.

Yavapai Point

Yavapai Point is the ideal spot for unobstructed views of the canyon at sunrise.

It’s an easy 0.7-mile walk west of Mather Point along the Rim Trail, and you’ll find the Yavapai Geology Museum there (open daily, 8am to 6pm), a great place to learn how the canyon formed.

The views are similar to those from Mather Point, but Yavapai Point sticks out further into the canyon, which makes it one of the best sunrise spots on the South Rim. There are no canyon walls on either side, just the openness and beauty of the canyon as the light comes up.

Yaki Point

With far-reaching views to the east and west, Yaki Point is another wonderful place to watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon.

Yaki Point sits on Desert View Drive, east of Mather Point, and it’s closed to private cars all year. Take the Kaibab Rim (Orange) shuttle, which runs from early in the morning (the first bus is at 6am in autumn), or walk or cycle in. That keeps it calmer than Mather Point, and what truly makes it stand out are the distinctive rock formations in the canyon below.

The South Kaibab Trail starts just west of Yaki Point. Even a short walk down it gives you the same spectacular views with far fewer people.

Desert View

Near the eastern edge of the South Rim, at the end of the 23-mile Desert View Drive, Desert View is one of the few viewpoints that works for both sunrise and sunset. From here, the canyon opens out and you can see the Colorado River making its big bend below.

The Desert View Watchtower, designed by Mary Colter and finished in 1932, stands right on the edge. Its upper floors are open from 8am to 5pm when there’s enough staff (free timed tickets), so arrive in the afternoon if you want to explore the tower and then stay on for sunset.

Point Imperial (North Rim)

Point Imperial is the highest point on the Grand Canyon’s rim, at 8,803 ft, and the park service rates it as the best place for sunrise on the North Rim. The viewpoint is only a few steps from the car park, though the drive up is twisty.

It gives a completely different perspective from the South Rim: you look out over the eastern end of the canyon towards the Painted Desert, with the green, forested North Rim around you.

Note: The road to Point Imperial is closed for repairs until sunrise on 3 November 2026.

Bright Angel Point (North Rim)

Bright Angel Point is the classic North Rim sunrise spot. It’s a short (about 0.5-mile round trip) but exposed walk along a narrow ridge, with steep drops and cliffs rising on either side to frame the canyon beautifully.

Note: The trail to Bright Angel Point is closed in 2026. The Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025 destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim Visitor Center beside it. The North Rim reopened on 15 May 2026, but with no lodging, so check the park’s North Rim status page before you plan a trip.

With scenery this beautiful, it’s no wonder the Grand Canyon made it onto my ultimate travel bucket list.

Best places to see sunset at the Grand Canyon

Hopi Point

On the South Rim, Hopi Point is the most famous place to watch the sunset at the Grand Canyon. It juts out into the canyon, so you get mesmerising views of the setting sun to the west and the glowing cliffs to the east.

Hopi Point is on Hermit Road, the 7-mile drive west of Grand Canyon Village, and it’s extremely popular around sunset. Despite the crowds, there’s plenty of space to make yourself comfortable and take in the scenery.

Mohave Point

Hermit Road has several viewpoints for a splendid sunset, but Mohave Point is one of the most impressive. I walked past it on the Rim Trail, and it’s one of the best places on the South Rim to see the Colorado River, with Hermit Rapids far below.

The cliffs and trees block some of the views to the east, but you can admire the dramatic views to the west as the sun sets behind the towering cliffs that encircle The Abyss.

At Mohave Point, you can watch the sky turn purple and pink as the sun goes down behind the plateau, which makes for excellent photos.

Pima Point

Pima Point is the last viewpoint on Hermit Road before Hermits Rest. If you want to avoid the busy crowds at Hopi and Mohave, it’s a great alternative for sunset at the Grand Canyon.

From Pima Point, the sky changes from baby blue to vibrant pinks and oranges over a huge sweep of the western canyon. It’s also a long way along the shuttle route, so check when the last bus back passes (return buses only stop at Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave and Powell Points, apart from the very last one).

Lipan Point

Lipan Point is most of the way out along Desert View Drive, where I watched my second sunset. It’s much quieter than the Hermit Road viewpoints, and it has one of the widest views on the South Rim. The Colorado River snakes through the canyon right below you, and as the sun drops, the haze turns the ridges into layer after layer of blue and gold.

Look down to the right and you’ll see the river curving around the red rock of the Unkar Delta, where Ancestral Puebloans farmed about a thousand years ago. You can drive here yourself all year, and there’s a car park right by the viewpoint.

Note: Lipan Point and its access road are closed for repairs until 23 December 2026. Navajo Point and Desert View, a few miles further east, are good alternatives for sunset in the meantime.

Cape Royal (North Rim)

For huge panoramic views on the North Rim, head to Cape Royal, which the park service names as the best place for sunset on that side of the canyon. From here you look both east and west, across to the Colorado River and Vishnu Temple.

On the short paved trail out to the point, you’ll pass Angels Window, a natural arch in a rock fin that you can look straight through to the river. If you’re not afraid of heights, you can even walk out on top of it. Turn your attention west as the sun goes down and you’ll watch the glowing orange sun set below the cliffs.

Note: The road to Cape Royal is closed for repairs until sunrise on 3 November 2026, and the North Rim closes for the season on 30 November or with the first big snowstorm.

More of the best views of the Grand Canyon

Sunrise and sunset get the glory, but some of the best views of the Grand Canyon are worth seeing at any time of day.

The Rim Trail

The Rim Trail is by far my favourite walk at the Grand Canyon. I’ll admit I pooh-poohed the idea at first because it sounded too easy, but I’m so glad I did it. It’s easy to follow, there’s just enough change in height and terrain to keep it interesting, and the views are incredible.

The whole trail runs about 13 miles from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest. Most of it is paved and wide, but between Powell Point and Monument Creek Vista it’s a narrow dirt path much closer to the edge. If you’re not comfortable with heights, you can walk along the road for that section and rejoin the trail after.

Pack a lunch: the chances of lunchtime coinciding with anywhere selling food are slim. Bring salty snacks and plenty of water too. There are water taps along the way, but carry a big enough bottle to last between them. And go easy on yourself. The rim is about 7,000 ft up, and I felt the altitude more than I expected.

Shoshone Point

Shoshone Point is a little more remote than most South Rim viewpoints, and that’s its appeal. Park at the small, unsigned dirt car park by a gate on Desert View Drive, about a mile east of the Yaki Point turning, then walk about a mile each way along an old dirt road through the pine forest.

It’s an easy walk and a very scenic one, and you’ll often have the view almost to yourself. It’s lovely at sunset, but bring a torch for the walk back.

Shoshone Point is also the only place in the park that can be booked for private events (from 15 May to 15 October), so it may be busy with a wedding when you arrive.

Grandview Point

Grandview Point lives up to its name. This famous viewpoint on Desert View Drive has a sweeping east-to-west view of the canyon, and if you look east, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the Colorado River.

It’s also the start of the Grandview Trail, an old miners’ route down to Horseshoe Mesa. It’s steep, unmaintained and only for experienced hikers, but even the first few switchbacks give you a fantastic view.

Spring is a great time to visit, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds than summer.

Ooh Aah Point

What’s in a name? This point’s name is perfect. Ooh Aah Point is the first big viewpoint on the South Kaibab Trail, 0.9 miles down from the rim and about 600 ft lower.

The trailhead is only reachable by the Kaibab Rim (Orange) shuttle, on foot or by bike. The walk down is fine for most people, but the climb back up is tough, so go early in the day, especially in summer, and carry a hat, plenty of sunscreen and water.

Hermits Rest

I also recommend going all the way to the end of Hermit Road at Hermits Rest. Mary Colter designed the charming stone rest house here, as well as several other buildings at the Grand Canyon.

While most of the viewpoints in this guide are best at sunrise or sunset, the view into the canyon is clearest around midday. There’s a gift shop here, and it’s one of the places where you can fill your water bottle.

Toroweap Overlook

Looking for classic postcard views of the Grand Canyon? Toroweap Overlook is where you’ll find them, with a sheer 3,000 ft drop to the Colorado River right beneath your feet.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but these views come at a cost. Toroweap is in the remote north-west of the park, at the end of about 61 miles of dirt road from Highway 389. You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle and at least three hours each way, and a permit if you want to camp.

Because it’s so hard to reach, it’s one of the least-visited viewpoints in the park, so you won’t have to worry about crowds spoiling the view.

From the air

If you want to see the canyon from a completely different angle, take a helicopter tour. I flew with Papillon on their North Canyon tour from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, and I’d highly recommend it. You fly low over the pine forest, and then the ground falls away at the rim and the scrubland becomes a miasma of colours and shapes. It’s also a great way to glimpse the North Rim, which is about four hours’ drive from the South Rim.

The North Canyon tour takes about 25 to 30 minutes and costs from $289 per person. It can be bumpy when it’s windy, and you’ll need photo ID at check-in.

Practical tips for sunrise and sunset

The best time of year for sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon is spring or autumn, between about September and November. The weather is milder, the crowds are thinner, and you won’t have to get up quite so early as in midsummer.

I suggest getting to a sunrise spot 30 minutes to an hour before sunrise, as the sky starts to change well before the sun appears. For sunset at the popular viewpoints, aim to arrive at least an hour beforehand to find a comfortable spot, or two hours at Mather and Hopi Points in summer. Bring a picnic and settle in.

Bring a warm layer. The South Rim is about 7,000 ft up, and the temperature drops fast once the sun goes down, even in summer.

Take a bottle of water. You can refill it at the stations around the South Rim, including the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trailheads, Hermits Rest and Desert View.

Take a camera to capture some memorable photos.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of travel shoes, read my review on whether Tropicfeel Canyon shoes are worth it (spoiler: they are).

Entry to the park costs $35 per vehicle for seven days. Visitors who aren’t US residents now also pay a $100 per person surcharge (aged 16 and over), unless they have an annual pass, so it’s worth checking the park’s fees page before you go.

Approximate sunrise and sunset times for each season

• February to April: sunrise about 7.15am to 5.55am, sunset about 6.10pm to 7pm
• May to July: sunrise about 5.10am to 5.25am, sunset about 7.25pm to 7.45pm
• August to October: sunrise about 5.45am to 6.35am, sunset about 7.20pm to 5.50pm
• November to January: sunrise about 7.05am to 7.40am, sunset about 5.15pm to 5.40pm

These times are for the South Rim, which stays on Mountain Standard Time all year.

Which rim has the best views of the Grand Canyon?

Both rims offer stunning views. The South Rim is open all year, easier to reach and has many more viewpoints and facilities, which is why most people (me included) go there. The North Rim is higher, greener and much quieter, but it’s only open from mid-May to late autumn, and after the 2025 fire it has no lodging.

If you want to enjoy sunrise and sunset without wearing yourself out, read my perfect Grand Canyon itinerary to plan your visit.

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Read next

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• Top things to do in Grand Canyon National Park
• The ultimate Arizona road trip
• Where to stay in the Grand Canyon
• Unmissable things to do in Arizona
• The best Grand Canyon hikes
• Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon

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