13 Best Photo Spots in Grand Canyon National Park (2023)

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What are the best photo spots in Grand Canyon National Park? We’ve rounded them up for you!

The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world. An anomaly forged into the Earth by water and wind erosion. At 217 miles long and 4 to 18 miles wide at any point, the possibilities for exquisite pictures are endless.

However, you don’t want to be endlessly wandering around the park until you find the perfect views you want to encapsulate forever. Luckily, we’ve visited Grand Canyon National Park and have extensively traveled throughout the southwest.

We wanted to streamline that process for you, so here’s a list of the best photo spots in Grand Canyon National Park!

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Best Photo Spots in Grand Canyon National Park

Mather Point

Mather Point is one of the signal views of Grand Canyon National Park. It looks out over the rippling canyon walls and proves the Grand Canyon is a natural world wonder.

Located near the park’s visitor center on the South Rim, this is a very accessible spot for a fantastic picture.

Since this is such a well-known stop, the crowds will pile up here quickly. To make sure you get the shot of a lifetime, come early to beat the other visitors.

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is a hidden gem, only to be found by the faithfully adventurous.

To get to this desert oasis, you’ll start at the Havasu Trailhead at the top of the South Rim and make your way down into the canyon.

Don’t forget to pack your camera, along with lots of water for the hike, because you will not want to miss taking photos of the vibrantly aqua blue waterfall contrasting with the reddish-orange canyon walls, with a sprinkle of green foliage decorating the walls.

It’s easy to snap photos here during the day, but get a little creative and shine some lights on the waterfall to get a cool night shot as well.  

Hopi Point

Another iconic photo spot, Hopi Point, could claim the title of most popular view in all of the Grand Canyon.

The horseshoe and temple-shaped rock formations protect the Colorado River, making for a statuesque view.

This is a spot you’ll want to stop by for either sunrise or sunset. In fact, why not both?

Hopi Point is located on the South Rim of the canyon, and since it is one of the best photo spots in the Grand Canyon, you can expect a lot of fellow photographers to join you here.

Pima Point

Pima Point is another good spot for a sunset picture. I think it is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Grand Canyon National Park. You’ll have all of your followers asking you where you are.

If you head here for sunset, you’ll avoid the crowds that flock to Hopi Point and still get a breathtaking photo of the sun setting over the Colorado River and its long-refined canyon art.

You’ll take the shuttle to Hermits Road on the West Rim to get to Pima Point.

Angels Window

Angels Window provides an almost heavenly view out into the vastness of the Grand Canyon.

This is one of the park’s arches and one of the best photo spots in the Grand Canyon.

Angels Window is located on the North Rim, and it is the pot of gold at the end of the Cape Royal Scenic Road rainbow. Even after such a beautiful drive, this arch will still blow you away.

You’ll start out on the Cape Royal Trail until you run into a side trail that will take you to the arch. 

You can stop at the viewpoint that allows you or take a picture of Angels Window, but if you’re feeling brave, you can actually walk out onto the arch that juts out into the canyon.

Point Imperial

Point Imperial is one of the best Grand Canyon sunrise photo spots. 

The pictures taken here are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. The sky meets a rocky, stratified horizon that reflects the colors of the sunrise like a mirror.

Point Imperial also dominates not only sunrise photography but also Milky Way photography. Arrive on the scene a while before sunrise to capture some pictures of our galaxy.

Or if you want to come just after the sun sets, you can capture the photos then while enjoying some of the best stargazing you can find.

Point Imperial is on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Yavapai Point

Recommended as the engagement point, Yavapai Point provides a lovely background for some of your most important life decisions.

An endless sea of orange and red rock formations spread out before you for a painting-like view. You won’t be able to resist snapping a few photos here, engaged or not.

Yavapai Point is the northernmost lookout of the South Rim and is also near Arizona’s Geology Museum. After you take a few pictures, you can head into the museum to learn about what you were looking at. 

Plateau Point

Okay, Plateau Point is definitely one of the best photo spots in the Grand Canyon, but it does take a little bit of work to get there.

This stunning array of the Colorado River and the ascending canyon walls of the South Rim can only be seen by completing the 12-mile hike it takes to reach it. It’s long, I know, but those adventurous photographers out there, you’ll feel proud to have finished the hike and will be able to bring back the best souvenir one can get.

The trail you’ll need to be on the lookout for is called Angel Bright Trail. A fun hike, beautiful pictures, and avoiding crowds are worth it, I promise.

Grandview Point

As you’re passing from the South Rim to the East Rim or vice versa, stop at Grandview Point for a picturesque view of the colorful canyon.

This point requires no hiking to see the varying valleys spotted with greenery, making it easy for you to snap a couple of pictures and move on to your next destination. 

Grandview Point is only 20 minutes away from Mather Point. Stop here for an awe-inspiring sunrise photo and head to Mather Point before the crowds come.

Ooh Aah Point

Like something out of a story book, Ooh Aah Point is definitely one of the best photo spots in the Grand Canyon.

Take the South Kaibab Trail in the South Rim to find the playful “Ooh Aah Point” sign. You can’t help but follow its instructions. 

Snap some photos with the sign and of it, and make sure to get the scenery behind the sign as well. Play around with focusing on the scenery and then the sign to add some flair to your photos.

Yaki Point

Yaki Point is the only viewpoint on Desert View Drive that you can not drive to personally.

The secluded nature of the lookout requires the Kaibab/Rim Route Shuttle (Orange) to take you there, but the shuttle is completely free, and due to this, Yaki Point is often left untouched by those traveling through by car only.

Yaki Point opens up to the east, and you can see the Desert View Watchtower (which I’m going to talk about next) in the distance.

This is another beautiful spot for both sunrise and sunset photos. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience with the Grand Canyon, you’ll find it here.

Desert View Watchtower

Near the South Rim’s eastern settlement, Desert View, stands Desert View Watchtower, one of the best photo spots in Grand Canyon National Park.

Desert View Watchtower is not only one of the best photo spots in the Grand Canyon, but it also has an interesting history.

Constructed in 1932 by architect Mary Colter, the tower is modeled on Ancient Puebloan People. She took her inspiration from the structures found at Hovenweep and Mesa Verde in Colorado.

The bottom floor of the tower, the Kiva Room, holds cultural demonstrations periodically. The Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Store is also located here. 

The upper floors are closed until further notice, but in the past, visitors have been able to go up and look out into the Grand Canyon.

Navajo Point

We’ve covered the northernmost point of the South Rim; now for the lookout with the highest elevation.

Navajo Point gives visitors an almost bird’s eye view of the Grand Canyon. Standing here, you’ll be about 7,500 feet above sea level.

From here, you can snap pictures of the Painted Desert and the Colorado River. And of course, the exquisite red cliffs everywhere you turn.

Navajo Point is not too far from the Desert View Watchtower.

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Final Thoughts: Best Instagram Spots in Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park has an expansive area full of jaw-dropping views and unique scenery. You could spend weeks trying to take pictures of it all.

Hopefully we were able to give you an idea of where to go to find the best photo spots in the Grand Canyon if you don’t have weeks, as well as a few Grand Canyon photography tips.