Grand View Point Overlook — Attraction in Four Corners States

The Grand View Point Overlook and Trailhead and trail is located at the southern end of the Grand View Point Road in the Island In The Sky District of the Canyonlands National Park. It has quite a few parking space, but always full, even in early spring (early April)when I was there. I had to circle around for 10, 15 minutes before I can find a spot. The trail is a short, paved sidewalk leads to a spectacular viewpoint. From there you can hike an additional mile to a second viewpoint. This trail can be rough, uneven, and requires walking up and down a rocky hill and stone steps. It is not accessible to wheelchairs. The initial stone steps are very high, and for those that have knee problems need to be careful. This trail follows the canyon edge, and visitors needs to stay away from the rim to avoid falling over the edge. Just below the edge of the cliff is the White Rim area made up of White Rim Sandstone which is a hard sandstone which forms a sharply defined rim above the lower level canyon below. The white rim area is about 1,300 feet below the rim you are standing on. You may see the White Rim Road where Park visitors with four-wheel-drive vehicles experience the backcountry on this 100-mile dirt road. Below the White Rim Area is the Monument Basin where you can see the Totem Pole which is a spire of eroded sandstone that stands 300+ feet above the Basin floor. Just to the right are eroded rocks that formed steep-sided walls, columns and pinnacles. The Colorado River Canyon is further away and is even deeper below the Monument Basin, and from where you are, the river cuts so deeply it is not visible. Far away on the left side of the horizon is the La Sal Mountains. And to the right of the horizon are the Needles area of Canyonlands NP about 12 miles distance south of here. The Colorado River flows from left to right, and will confluence with the Green River in your extreme...

Follow the Grand View Point Trail for approximately 0.9 miles until you reach the overlook. The best view of the canyons below is from the very top of the rocks, but the bouldering to top is not for everyone. At this point, you will be standing at the edge of a precipice, surrounded by an endless expanse of rust-hued canyons, towering rock formations, and labyrinthine river systems. This scenic wonder will leave you awestruck and inspired. From this location, the overlook offers an unparalleled panorama of Canyonlands National Park's majestic beauty. To the north, the rugged expanse of the Island in the Sky district, to the east there are the towering spires and deep valleys of the Maze district. Today, with crystal clear blue skies we could even see the distant snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains. Finally, if time is not an issue, we recommend staying around as the sun begins to set, that is when the sky becomes even more magical. As the sun sets over the horizon, the sky becomes ablaze with hues of pink, orange, and purple, casting a golden glow over the entire scene. All we can say, it is a moment that will stay with you long after you leave the park, a reminder of the untamed beauty that lies just beyond...

Grand view Point Overlook is at 6,080 feet in elevation. It's about 1-mile from where the parking is. There are restrooms available, but no drinking water. Remember to protect yourself with shade protection for your eyes, head, and skin. When one stands there, the view looks out onto 100-miles of canyons. 1000 feet down is the White Rim. Another 1000 feet down below that, the Green and Colorado Rivers flow toward their confluence point. The White Rim Plateau, of hard white sandstone visible from Grand View Point Overlook, erodes less quickly than what is on top. The White Rim Road is down there, its gravel and its supposed to be suitable for 2-wheel drives. The rim effect is clearly seen here as is the road. The Green River is another 1000 feet below this rim. This area is not especially beautiful, but it shows the carving power of the water through this arid region, and especially noteworthy is its absence. 'Island in the Sky' is a huge level sandstone mesa situated between the Green and Colorado Rivers. The 1.8 mile White Rim Overlook Trail takes...