Best vantage point at Grand Canyon (Page 2): I visited the Grand Canyon visitor center once a few years ago, for about an hour. (Hated to be rushed, but that's the way it is...

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

I am traveling to Sedona, AZ over Christmas and driving up to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days...bucket list...check.
As I will have a car and coming from the south, is there a "best" vantage point to shoot that "hang it over the fireplace" keepsake?
Thank you!

I visited the Grand Canyon visitor center once a few years ago, for about an hour. (Hated to be rushed, but that's the way it is sometimes.) I looked for a spot where I could frame the view with trees and the light was favorable. I rejected a few other photos because there were silly kids out on rock outcroppings, and settled on this one. Not a masterpiece, but I still like looking at it.

thenick58

The only way to *really* see the Grand Canyon is from the Colorado River. Rafting season is closed until 2022, I’m sorry to say. *That’s* what should go in your bucket list!
Nick

lreisner Loc: Union,NJ

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

I am traveling to Sedona, AZ over Christmas and driving up to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days...bucket list...check.
As I will have a car and coming from the south, is there a "best" vantage point to shoot that "hang it over the fireplace" keepsake?
Thank you!

I was there this past summer. You might want to do a circle drive. Take 89 out of Flagstaff from 40 to Cameron then route 64 that will take you to the park and along the rim into the National Park. There are great views off of the road at all of the overlooks. To get a different perspective you could hike one of the trails, but the views from the overlook are great as well. Definitely make the a stop at the first or last overlook by the eastern entrance to the park. There is a tower there, although probably closed this time of year.

When you finish in the park you can continue on 64 South back to 40, possibly via 180. I'm not sure where Sedona is. I think you said that you are going in winter, so check the weather conditions, especially on the eastern side of the park between the park and Camron. Have a good trip.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

goldenyears wrote:

I visited the Grand Canyon visitor center once a few years ago, for about an hour. (Hated to be rushed, but that's the way it is sometimes.) I looked for a spot where I could frame the view with trees and the light was favorable. I rejected a few other photos because there were silly kids out on rock outcroppings, and settled on this one. Not a masterpiece, but I still like looking at it.

A spectacular scenic 🌀💞❤️💞🌀

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

PHRubin wrote:

When I was there decades ago, there wasn't a glass overhang yet. Back then the north rim closed to tourists this time of year. I doubt my experience back then will help you now.

Just came from West Rim 2 wks ago, not worth the cost & lines and absolutely can not take a camera or phone out on the Skywalk. Guards at both ends, they use their own photographers, minimum cost was $22 and up. Best free shot with Skywalk is through restaurant's glass.

lreisner Loc: Union,NJ

Stardust wrote:

Just came from West Rim 2 wks ago, not worth the cost & lines and absolutely can not take a camera or phone out on the Skywalk. Guards at both ends, they use their own photographers, minimum cost was $22 and up. Best free shot with Skywalk is through restaurant's glass.

I had read that no cameras were aloud. I found that to be absurd, especially in this day and age of the selfie generation. I gave it a miss this past summer. With the possible thrill of standing on glass over the canyon, there are plenty of other vantage points from which to view the canyon that are just as thrilling. I'll note that the National Park is not free but your getting a lot more for you money and supporting a good cause.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

If you enter the park from the south side coming from Sedona, plan to exit via the east side. Plenty of vantage points along that route. Plan to go to Cameron, then Flagstaff. This will take you through the desert with beautiful vantage points. There is a large and fairly commercial Indian Trading Post/restaurant in Cameron that is worth a visit before going to Flagstaff, and from there it is an easy drive back to Sedona. Don’t miss Antelope Canyon, a one in a lifetime walk through underground trails with light beaming down from openings in the rock formation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USA_Antelope-Canyon.jpg

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

Best views in my opinion are down by the river inside the Canyon. There are numerous trails down into the Canyon but isn't an easy hike. Granite Rapid is one of the places can walk to and can camp there.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

I am traveling to Sedona, AZ over Christmas and driving up to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days...bucket list...check.
As I will have a car and coming from the south, is there a "best" vantage point to shoot that "hang it over the fireplace" keepsake?
Thank you!

I've never been to the grand Canyon, but a couple years ago I did get to the Badlands in South Dakota. From what I saw at the Badlands, I don't think there could be any place along the Grand Canyon rim the would result in a bad photo. Unless it was taken at midnight of a moonless night and totally overcast with clouds and the exposure was less than one second.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

I am traveling to Sedona, AZ over Christmas and driving up to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days...bucket list...check.
As I will have a car and coming from the south, is there a "best" vantage point to shoot that "hang it over the fireplace" keepsake?
Thank you!

Just about anywhere from Hermits Rest on out to Desert View will be a great view, with the best around the Village and Visitors Center. If this is a "bucket list" trip, treat yourself to a helicopter tour; it's Fantastic!

PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia

there is a place on the east rim but it is a bit of a walk from the watchtower. Here is a post that I made from there https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-651804-1.html. There are several overlooks on the south rim that are not really crowded that are worth checking out shoshone point is one that comes to mind as worth checking out. Whatever you decide on there is hardly a bad place to look off and make a picture, just some are way more photographed

JBRIII

lreisner wrote:

I was there this past summer. You might want to d... (show quote)

As to weather, in 2001, we were there in early Dec., either 6 or 10" of snow at south rim. Went to bottom, not quite shirt sleve there, but close.

A few years ago, we called about ride to bottom, they laughed, thanksgiving weekend, no way, then said OK, cancellations by part of a group we rode with. Luck does happen.

I do not like animals, but ride to bottom, one of my greatest surprises (my stupid idea, wife knew better than suggesting it) and experiences.

Got to do it again!!!!!😁😂😋😀😂😂😂

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

PhotogHobbyist wrote:

I've never been to the grand Canyon, but a couple years ago I did get to the Badlands in South Dakota. From what I saw at the Badlands, I don't think there could be any place along the Grand Canyon rim the would result in a bad photo. Unless it was taken at midnight of a moonless night and totally overcast with clouds and the exposure was less than one second.

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

lreisner wrote:

I was there this past summer. You might want to d... (show quote)

The east most Pullout/lookout is called Desert View and the river is coming toward you and makes a bend west.with many view points
along the highway to the the main area. It does have the tower, it is probably closed. The advice for the circle drive is a great trip and puts the sun over your shoulder or back most of the day. Some pullouts have large parking lots and potties, others are for only one two cars and you look straight into the canyon. Their is a 4x4 road from Desert View down to the confluence of the Colorado and the Little Colorado rivers. Highway 64 has places you can look down into the Little Colorado, some are spectacular views.
I lived in the Flagstaff area for 25 years and went to the Canyon many times. PM me if you want more.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

lreisner wrote:

I had read that no cameras... With the possible thrill of standing on glass over the canyon...I'll note that the National Park is not free but your getting a lot more for you money and supporting a good cause.

Knew going in on cameras... must put them in a locker like airport ones of old, take key with you. But it was on my Bucket List so checked. Skywalk not impressive - so thick & tinted can't really see down thru it. Have to wear covers over shoes to protect.

West Rim is not a NP so passes no good, Indian owned on reservation land as was Four Corners and Monument Valley that we visited. And all three ONLY took credit cards, no cash!