A spectacular overlook with incredible river views, Plateau Point is accessible via a 1.5-mile spur trail off the South Rim's inner-canyon Bright Angel Trail at Indian Garden; from the rim, it's 6 miles down to Plateau Point. Note that there is no shade here, and it is absolutely not recommended to attempt a day hike from the rim to Plateau Point during the summer.
Plateau Point
Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.61 MILES
Strategically located on the southernmost tip of the North Rim high above the great westward turn of the Colorado River, Cape Royal takes in almost every…
Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
8.21 MILES
Grand Canyon's remote, wild and forgotten North Rim is far less developed, and sees far fewer visitors that its southern counterpart. In part this is due…
3.83 MILES
Forged by millions of years of erosion by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon captures the history, scale and beauty of the American West. Overlooks peer…
2.84 MILES
In 1905 Ellsworth and Emery Kolb built a small photography studio on the edge of the rim, which has since been expanded and now holds a bookstore and a…
16.6 MILES
The marvelously worn winding staircase of Mary Colter's 70ft stone tower, built in 1932, leads to one of the highest spots on the rim. From here, slats in…
8.03 MILES
Enter the front door of the lodge and see...the Grand Canyon, somehow looking even larger framed by the massive windows of the sunroom. Built in 1937 out…
4.61 MILES
Walk about 1 mile along the mostly level and shaded dirt road to marvelously uncrowded Shoshone Point, a rocky promontory with some of the canyon’s best…
1.86 MILES
This outdoor interpretative display traces the history of the canyon's formation – each meter equals one million years of geologic history, for a total of…
Nearby Grand Canyon National Park South Rim attractions
1. Yavapai Point and Geology Museum
1.85 MILES
Views don't get much better than those unfolding behind the plate-glass windows of this little stone building, but if weather allows be sure to enjoy the…
1.86 MILES
This outdoor interpretative display traces the history of the canyon's formation – each meter equals one million years of geologic history, for a total of…
2.21 MILES
Mather Point is the busiest and most popular overlook at the Grand Canyon, due in large part to its close proximity to the visitor center complex and main…
2.32 MILES
Maricopa, a 1.2-mile uphill walk from Grand Canyon Village along the Rim Trail, makes a lovely sunrise spot. Just east of here are the remains of the once…
2.36 MILES
This rocky peninsula cuts out over the canyon, offering some of the South Rim's most dramatic vistas. Similar to Hopi Point 0.3 miles to the west but not…
2.5 MILES
Located 1.5 miles along the challenging South Kaibab Trail, with a descent of 1040ft, this large and flat red-dirt overlook offers some of the best views…
2.51 MILES
Spectacular Hopi Point juts further into the canyon than any other South Rim overlook, offering magnificent east–west views, making it an excellent choice…
2.66 MILES
The arrival of the railroad in 1901 opened up the canyon to more and more tourists, and in 1905 John G Verkamp opened the Mission-style Verkamp’s Curios…