Multiple views of Grand Canyon, Wotan’s Throne from South Rim and North Rim
When I was a Park Ranger visitors frequently asked which side is better, there’s no bad views of Grand Canyon, so visit both sides. And that’s what I did.
On this summer journey, I planned to enjoy views of Grand Canyon from both sides, starting with the South Rim. So after my wonderful loop drive from Sunset Crater to Wupatki national monuments I continued north on SR89 to Cameron and entered the park from the east side, so much less crowded than the main Village area.
I stopped at Navajo Point and under cloudy skies enjoyed the views of Grand Canyon including a distant look at the Desert View Watch Tower.
Then I continued to my forest camp only one mile of rough and rutted dirt road to boondock for the night with a gentle rain. Not overcrowded, this Kaibab National Forest location is along the way to the Grandview Fire Tower, where I camped last summer.
The next day I met a Ranger friend at Moran Point and we spent the day catching up, reminiscing, and enjoying views of Grand Canyon. I am always amazed that the average park visitor doesn’t spend more than two minutes at an overlook.
Pine pollen on puddle
Pollen on truck
It rained intermittently over the next several days so I was glad to have a great signal and worked on the next video about Arivaca Creek and the Cruz Ranch and a blog post about my visit to Bisbee during early June. Yes, I’m that far behind. The rain helped clear the air of Pine pollen.
After five nights in this forest location it was time to hit the road for some new views of Grand Canyon. First stop at Desert View Watch Tower, the furthest east overlook with some of my favorite South Rim views of Grand Canyon.
Larkspur Globe Mallow
I parked in the oversized vehicle lot and walked due west to the rim following a social trail towards the tower with lots of flowers along the way.
The only reason I went inside the tower was to add another sticker and hat pin to my collections.
Once back to SR89 I headed north across the amazing Navajo Reservation desert landscape.
Stopped for lunch at Cliff Dwellers then climbed up onto the Kaibab Plateau and much cooler temperatures at 7,000 feet.
Of course I had to get desert at Jacob Lake Inn.
Then opted to camp nearby.
In the morning I drove south across the Kaibab National Forest surprised at how full the lakes were in the meadows. Guess I should have expected that because of the record breaking snow fall.
Stopped at the entrance station and said hello to a known Ranger then continued to the end of the road.
Parking wasn’t a problem because the Lodge wasn’t open yet for food service or overnight accommodations. All that snow followed by melt took out a huge section of both the water pipe and North Kaibab trail so they were under water restrictions.
No Rangers in the visitor center as it’s now all sales space for the history association.
Enough of that, I wanted more views of Grand Canyon. So I drove the scenic road with the first stop at Point Imperial. I actually had the overlook entirely to myself for a measurable amount of time.
Made another stop at Greenland Lake, the fullest I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen it bone dry. “Lakes” on the Kaibab are actually sinkholes in the limestone, not huge but good water sources for wildlife.
Then on to the end of the road to Cape Royal for my favorite views of Grand Canyon.
Especially sunset.
Deer Lake
View east Vermilion & Echo Cliffs with Navajo Mt beyond
I could have stayed for days stopping at every overlook for many hours enjoying a variety of views of Grand Canyon. However, I had other places to go and people to see. So I headed back north with just a couple stops along the way. Including Jacob Lake Inn once again for a dozen cookies to take as treats for the friends I’d visit in Kanab, Utah.
So delightful to see you in your familiar haunts in a park you know so well. As always, your photos are spectacular, but even more so of this beautiful canyon. It is great that you could return at a bit of a leisurely pace, checking in with people you know, and visiting remembered spots along the way. Lovely, Gaelyn.
Hi Gaelyn, I’ve been blocked again
Nope, I’m being blocked. Grrr
Both your comments show up on the blog. Don’t understand “blocked”.
Thanks. I love to return to old haunts, especially the canyon.
Stunning set of photos of the canyon and I love those pink skies, beautiful.
Keep well and enjoy your travels. Hugs form us both, Diane
Thanks, truly no bad views of Grand Canyon.
For sure no bad views of the Canyon in this post! Are the views from Cape Royal your favorite? You know the canyon so very well.
I like your fotos of Toroweap.
Thanks. Cape Royal is a favorite from the North Rim, especially for sunsets.
Nobody does the canyon like you. I am guilty of the two minute observation time frame. The times I have been to the canyon it has been packed and I hate all the pushing and shoving. I also have trouble interpreting what I am seeing. I was always looking for the river and never quite seeing it. But I am a lot older now, (a lot). I know how to travel in off season and all that and do a little research and check out the places off the beaten path.
My mother always said the north rim had the best views. I think both sides are great.
Thanks so much. Your mother was right, but I am biased. I don’t like the crowds either so am glad to know where to go to avoid them, mostly.
No bad views is a gross understatement and your photos are proof. I love the first one of the Watch Tower and the one before that with the eye catching color in the foreground. Is it in June you are seeing the Larkspur and globe mallow? The Watch Tower is my favorite of the buildings. I could spend hours inside and outside of it. So sorry to hear that the VC at the North Rim is only a sales shop now. Where do the rangers show people trail maps or help them figure out things? So many stunning pictures of the canyon and the sunsets. Thank you!
I’d love to take this route you describe and do just what you have done. Guess I’d have to get a truck camper. You have the best of both worlds with your two rigs.
Thanks. Yes I visited the canyon in early June, I am really far behind posting. The North Rim Rangers are working outside now. Although I love my truckcamper, it’s really small compared to what you’re used to.
From your photos, I sure understand great appeal for Cape Royal! I’m also glad you went as visitor, observer. That isn’t a real bird atop the one tower, chimney, is it?
Thanks. There’s a bird decoy on the tower to keep others from landing and shitting the place up.
Fun to see the canyon through your lens again! That drive from Cameron is one of our favorites as is the one through Vermillion Cliffs. Glad you had such pretty blue skies and lots of green to enjoy. Little Deer Lake looks like a slice of heaven to me!
I too love these drives and was a thrill to return to the canyon.
Wonderful collection!!
Thank you!