The hype is real; one of the most amazing places on earth is The Grand Canyon. At sunrise, at sunset, during snow or rain, at any time of year this place is truly an amazing blessing of natural beauty. You can’t go for just one day because there’s just way too much to see and do. And you must do some hiking while you’re in this natural playground that is Grand Canyon National Park.

Every single viewpoint is amazing and worth a stop. From the Desert Tower to Bright Angel, every lookout along the Desert View Drive is astounding and offers breathtaking views of the deep and rich canyon. Starting at the east entrance, the Desert View Drive is 23 miles of unrivaled beauty.

Those first pictures are from the awesome Desert View Tower area which allows you to see the Colorado River and the desert of the Colorado Plateau. It’s an exceptional viewpoint and a great way to start your days in the Grand Canyon. The last picture is of the famous Duck on a Rock! After the Desert View, there’s Navajo, Lipan, Moran, Grandview, and Yaki Point all before you hit the Visitor Center and every one of them are worth the stop and short stroll.

The canyon’s so large that completely different weather patterns can be happening and visible on the other rim. The clouds and precipitation make the canyon that much more dynamic. But always be careful of lightning strikes as there are over 25,000 a year at the canyon rim. I’ve seen rain, snow, and a massive hail storm in the summer and all at the south rim. It’s a beautiful and dangerous place and that’s what I like about it. Oh! And if you’re lucky, you can catch early morning sunrise fog with a bright moon and the distant San Francisco Peaks lit up by pink and peach light.

My favorite lookout spot though, has to be Bright Angel Point in the Village. Not only does it offer the best sunset view on the south rim, it’s right next to delicious food and drinks and it isn’t too far from Mather Campground. Every night I’m at the Grand Canyon, I’m here watching the sunset with a little flask of whiskey and my camera clicking.

I absolutely recommend the great Mather Campground on the south rim but make sure you book early because those spots disappear fast. The nearby Mather Campground Camp Store is convenient and has everything you need if you forgot to pack something. Also, the Yavapai Tavern has delicious food and drinks for the weary hiker.

No matter where you stay, what you eat, or when you go, the Grand Canyon is unrivaled in adventure and breathtaking views. As always, get there early in the day and never miss a sunset or sunrise.