grand canyonSCENIC DRIVES

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Grand Canyon Scenic Drives and Roads

Grand Canyon Scenic Drives

Taking one of Grand Canyon’s many scenic drives is the best way to cover the most ground and see as many Grand Canyon vistas as possible, especially if you’re short on time. Scenic Drives in Grand Canyon National Park offer something for everyone including an incredible variety of viewpoints, picnic areas and famous points of interest along the way. They are also the same dramatic roads visitors use to get to trailheads, rafting trips and other amazing Grand Canyon destinations and activities. While some drives are on paved two lane highways, others follow dirt 4x4 roads better suited for jeeps and high clearance vehicles. Whatever road you decide to travel at Grand Canyon National Park, one thing is for sure...you won't be disappointed. Read the guide below to learn more.

South Rim Scenic Drives

  • Hermit Road
    Paved Road
    Scenic Drive
    Hermit Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    This scenic drive starts in historic Grand Canyon Village and takes you to the western end of the South Rim at Hermits Rest. It closely parallels the canyon’s South Rim for seven miles and you can see incredible canyon views along the way, even from inside your car or the park’s free shuttle buses.
  • Rowe Well Road
    Graded Dirt Road
    Scenic Dirt Road
    Rowe Well Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    This road starts behind the Maswik Lodge and then takes you out of the park and into the Kaibab National Forest.
  • Forest Service Rd 328
    4x4 Road
    Scenic 4x4 Road
    Forest Service Rd 328
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    This well-graded dirt road connects to either Rowe Well Road to enter Grand Canyon Village or you can head west towards the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Pasture Wash/South Bass Trailhead area of Grand Canyon National Park.
  • Desert View Drive
    Paved Road
    Scenic Drive
    Desert View Drive
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    Desert View Drive (also known are HWY 64E) spans the 25 miles between Grand Canyon Village and the Desert View/East entrance station. There are six developed canyon viewpoints, but an additional five unmarked pullouts that offer even more views.
  • Yaki Point Road
    Paved Road
    Scenic Drive
    Yaki Point Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    Yaki Point Road is a short, shuttle bus only road at the west end of Desert View Drive.
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North Rim Scenic Drives

  • Point Sublime Road
    4x4 Road
    Scenic 4x4 Road
    Point Sublime Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    This 17.7-mile long road leads to the appropriately named Point Sublime viewpoint on the North Rim of Grand Canyon. Because it is a rugged road, high clearance vehicles are required, and four-wheel drive is strongly recommended.
  • Cape Royal Road
    Paved Road
    Scenic Drive
    Cape Royal Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Certainly, the most popular scenic drive on this side of Grand Canyon, the Cape Royal Road is one of the main draws for those visiting the North Rim.

East Rim Scenic Drives

  • Highway 89A Scenic Drive
    Paved Road
    Scenic Drive
    Highway 89A Scenic Drive
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    This scenic drive is a stunning mix of iconic Western desert scenes followed by an uphill drive into the beautiful ponderosa pine forests of the Kaibab Plateau. After you turn onto Highway 89A, you will quickly come to one of the best parts of the drive: Navajo Bridge.

West Rim Scenic Drives

  • Toroweap Road
    Graded Dirt Road
    Scenic Dirt Road
    Toroweap Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    While this scenic drive is not for the casual visitor or the faint of heart, it is one of the best adventures that Grand Canyon has to offer, leading you to an isolated and breathtaking 3,000 ft drop-off view of the Colorado River.
  • Diamond Creek Road
    Graded Dirt Road
    Scenic Dirt Road
    Diamond Creek Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    This is the only scenic drive in Grand Canyon where you can drive a car to the bottom of the canyon, high clearance and four-wheel drive NOT required!
  • Buck and Doe Road
    Paved Road
    Scenic Drive
    Buck and Doe Road
    Guru Rating
    Trip Season
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    While this road is heavily travelled, many visitors might not even know that this is the name of the road that they are traveling on to access Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk--Buck and Doe Road is the final section of road before you enter Grand Canyon West and is located on Hualapai Tribal land.

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