Guest post by Lisa Winters
We may be biased, but we think the Grand Canyon has some of the best sunsets around. As the sun dips below the canyon rim, the resulting light show is breathtaking. Make sure you know what time the sun sets, and settle in to see one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world transform under an expansive, colorful sky.
While there's a plethora of viewpoints to choose from and no bad place to watch the sunset, we’ve narrowed down the list to some of the best. Please remember to stay on the pathways and respect vegetation and wildlife when snapping that Instagram-worthy shot.
Here are our favorite places to watch Grand Canyon sunsets:
MICHAEL QUINN, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Walk out to the tip of the rocky peninsula, named Hopi Point, for a vista that spans both the western and eastern skies. Don’t be surprised if other visitors have the same idea as you, as this is one of the most popular places to watch the sunset (for good reason).
How to get there: Hop on the red shuttle route from the Grand Canyon Village to the Hopi Point stop.
Must know: While the light show at sunset continues even after the sun goes down, the shuttle buses stop running an hour after sunset. Make sure you catch the last shuttle, or be prepared to walk.
For equally spectacular views with fewer crowds, consider staying on the shuttle bus a few stops past Hopi Point. The Mohave Point and Pima Point viewpoints also showcase views of the Colorado River far below.
MATTIA PANCIROLI, FLICKR
Located off the Desert View Drive, Lipan Point boasts sweeping views of the canyon toward the northeast and to the west. Watch the shadows deepen around the jagged temples and buttes, and the expansive sky glow orange then a dusty rose as the sun sinks below the rim of the canyon. This is a photographer’s "golden hour" dream. Snap photos to the east for saturated hues before and after the sun sets.
How to get there: Take your time driving the only scenic road open to cars in the park, between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View, towards the East Entrance. Lipan Point is at mile marker 263.5.
What to do if you only have one day ›
MICHAEL QUINN, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Located about halfway down the Bright Angel Trail, Plateau Point is the place to be if you’re spending the night below the rim at Havasupai Gardens (camp at Indian Garden Campground). From Havasupai Gardens, this side trip is a flat 3-mile traverse across the Tonto Platform that takes you teetering to the edge of the granite gorge, peering at the Colorado River below. Remember your headlamp, and enjoy the walk back to camp under a brilliant starry sky.
How to get there: If you want to stay overnight below the rim, you’ll have to apply for a permit. Doing an out-and-back in one day? Go prepared.
MICHAEL QUINN, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
If you’re visiting the quieter North Rim, find your way to Bright Angel Point for magnificent views of the canyon at sunrise and sunset. Arrive early to claim a prime viewing spot! Alternatively, grab a drink from the saloon and settle into the rocking chairs on the expansive Grand Canyon Lodge patio. Either way, you’re in for a relaxing evening as you pick out the faint glow of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.
How to get there: The Bright Angel Point Trail is a short, paved pathway that starts just behind the lodge and cabins.
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