Grand Canyon Sunset & Sunrise Viewing

The sun rises and falls each day all over the world - so what makes the views so spectacular at Grand Canyon National Park? The great expanse of ancient cliff bands, the impassioned natural palette of pinks, reds, yellows, and greens, the roughly 4,000 foot drop to the canyon floor and the thousands of miles of unencumbered visibility - however spectacular they are during the daytime, these things all appear almost unearthly at sunrise and sunset.

THE GREAT DRAMA

In 1882, Clarence Dutton referred to a sunset as a pageant, a great drama that set the sky aflame and made the heart ache. Not much has changed in the Grand Canyon National Park, and millions of visitors come to experience that same heartache that Dutton so vividly described so long ago. Truly any spot along the canyon's lengthy rim provides the ultimate viewing pleasure, but over the years, certain viewpoints have developed an almost cult-like following. Some of the most popular—and therefore crowded—of these remain the same year after year. Hopi Point has always been the place to be to experience an unforgettable sunset, and Yaki or Mather Points for sunrise. Of course, there are plenty of other options for those looking for a bit more peace and quiet. Hiking always provides solace from the din of the park, and Ooh Aah Point, 1.5 miles down the South Kaibab Trail is perhaps your best bet. While slightly bone-jarring on the way down and equally exhausting on the way up, Ooh Aah offers solitude and a unique vista of the inner canyon in a short hike. If a difficult hike does not fit into your agenda, check out the different viewpoints during the day to find your favorite view, and stick to it for either sunrise or sunset. It is advisable to arrive about an hour early for either to thoroughly enjoy the panorama (or to get the best spot!).