Desert View Watchtower

Desert View Visitor Center Trail
5.0
3 Reviews
Desert View Watchtower
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Details

Distance
0.42 miles
Elevation Gain
43 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Food Nearby
Ada Accessible
Family Friendly
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Scenic
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About this place

Added by Kyle Szegedi

Desert View Watchtower is a picturesque tower located near the east entrance of the South Rim Drive along the edge of the Grand Canyon. A quick walk from the parking lot will lead you down to this tower.

Desert View Watchtower is a 70-foot high stone tower located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Once you cross into the park through the east entrance look for the sign for Desert View, it's the first real lookout point in the park and there is plenty of parking.

The tower was constructed in the 1930's and looks really awesome in photos. You can even see the Colorado River as it begins to make its way into the Grand Canyon. To get some nice light on the tower try and arrive before sunrise or sunset to capture some of the golden hour light. To capture some great details in your landscape photos, choose a narrower aperture, something like f/9 or f/11. 

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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Jared Blitz
11/22/2020
A Grand Canyon must
Like photographing a sunset FROM the watchtower, it's also nice to capture a sunrise or sunset OF the watchtower. It adds another element or ...
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Jared Beeler
9/23/2020
Awesome place on the canyon
This is an amazing place to stop and photograph!!
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Lucas Bremer
Club
9/22/2020
architectural marvel
Though it wasn't made by pueblo people, this awesome building makes for an awesome photo. In busy seasons though it is extremely crowded.
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