To see Part 1 of Exploring the Grand Canyon (planning and Hermits Rest), click here.
To see Part 2 of Exploring the Grand Canyon (Yavapai Lodge and Cafeteria), click here.
On our second day at the Grand Canyon, we drove our car east towards the Desert View Point stopping at several overlooks along the way. Unlike towards Hermits Rest, there is no bus service this direction and the drive from the Grand Canyon Village to Desert View Point is about 25 miles.
On our way we stopped at the Tusayan Ruins which consists of a self-guided trail leading through the 800 year-old ruins.
A museum is also located here which provides a glimpse into Pueblo Indian life with artifacts. The whole time we were walking the trail S kept saying ‘it says on the map there are snakes, but I have not seen any’. She was very upset that we did not get to see a snake; I on the other hand was very happy.
We continued on to Desert View Point and Watchtower, the eastern most point in the Grand Canyon National Park. There is a visitor center, restroom facilities, water bottle refill station, snack bar and gift shop located here.
The Desert View Watchtower is 70 feet tall and contains a gift shop and observation decks with magnificent views of the canyon and the Painted Desert.
When we left Desert View Point, we continued on 64 to Cameron. On our way we stopped at the Little Colorado River Gorge. Both my husband and I found the gorge to be very dramatic – cut steep and deep into the ground.
For more information about Desert View Point, Watchtower and Tusayan Ruins, please click here.
Well that concludes our trip to the Grand Canyon, please let me know if you have any questions.
If you are looking to travel to Arizona, you may enjoy my other posts about our trip.
Oh, what fun! I love all the pictures. I really like the one of the museum – so rustic, so pretty!
Thanks Alli!
I love your pictures. It makes me want to pick up and like move there. Gorgeous. Loooove that your daughter was a little bummed about the snakes – kids are so cute. And I’m super happy you DIDN’T see any! Hahaha.
Thank you Madaline! For some reason she loves snakes 🙂
Such beautiful photos! I can only imagine what it is like to see in person. Last fall we went to Niagara Falls, CAN. I never realized just how close we were to it here in MI. Only a few hours drive. I’ve never been one for tourist type things, but I got a good deal and heard about a few other places in CAN I wanted to stop and eat at to review for my website. Niagara Falls is not only beautiful, but the town was warm and inviting. I enjoyed everything about it. Can’t wait to go back.
Thanks Chrystal, I would love to visit Niagara Falls one day. The town sounds wonderful!
Stunning photos, enough to make anyone want to visit
WOW!!!! I would love to fit in a visit to some of the Grand Canyon whilst we’re here in California. I know that the way my hubbie and I would like to see it is a lot more physical than how we’ll have to do it with a 4, 8 and 10 year old in tow and one is very fearful of snakes! Your photos are amazing and it must have been an incredible experience.
Thank you Sarah! I hope you get a chance to visit!
Hello, I’m stopping by from the SITS Facebook group, where I saw your blog listing! Amazing pictures! I’d love for you to check my blog out as well at, http://theladyprefers2save.com, as well as my twitter and facebook feeds! Thank you!
Thank you! I’ll pop over to your blog.
I dont even know what to say. I am in awe of the beauty of this place. Nature as its finest =) #magicmoments
wow what an amazing place to visit!
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments