A steep-stair fire lookout with forest and canyon views, minus the crowds
Grandview Lookout Tower is the kind of stop most Grand Canyon visitors never find — a working fire lookout in the Kaibab National Forest, reached by about a mile of dirt road (reviewers say a regular sedan handles it fine in dry weather, though it turns muddy after rain or snow) and a short, easy trail to the base. Climb the steep metal stairs and you're rewarded with sweeping views over the forest canopy, with a glimpse of the canyon itself from the top.
The tower's observation room stays locked, so the payoff comes from the top of the stairway rather than an enclosed deck — and it still earns consistently high marks. One reviewer described it as "very high" with "steep metal stairs," warning about sharp edges on the handrails and wind at the top; only two people are allowed to climb at a time, and it's not the spot to be in when it's gusty. Vault restrooms and a picnic kiosk sit near the parking area, and hikers have reported water jugs left there for anyone on the trail.
Skip the crowds of the main South Rim overlooks and spend a quieter afternoon here instead — wear sturdy shoes for the metal stairs and check conditions before you climb.
214 reviews
4 months ago
Very high lookout tower, with steep metal stairs. Watch out for sharp metal edges on the handrails. Only two people climb at a time and don't climb when windy!!! Spectacular views from the top. There are vault restrooms. This time we noticed many jugs of water left under the kiosk for hikers. Dirt road is well maintained but will be muddy in rain and snow, easy to get stuck in those conditions.
10 months ago
ACCESSIBLE AND OPEN (as of 11/7/25) This fire watch tower is a neat off the beaten track option in the Grand Canyon park. Even when the park is busy, this will not be! To access it, you drive a mile down a dirt road (easy to drive, I did it in a Camry). You can then climb the tower and get a great view of the forest and even some of the canyon. NOTE: the top is locked. You get a good view from the steps, but you can't enter the top room (hence only 4 stars). It can get windy up there. The tower is metal frame construction, so if that scares you, then this isn't your attraction. If it doesn't, great news! There are bathrooms and a hiking trail, so you can have a great, quiet afternoon.
11 months ago
A mile-long off-road trail leads to the tower, located within the national forest and surrounded by numerous boondocking sites. From the tower's summit, you can enjoy a scenic view of the forest atop the rim, with a slight glimpse into the canyon. It offers a unique perspective compared to other park viewpoints and is well worth the trip!
2 weeks ago
If you are in the area it is a great view from the top. If you are afraid of heights I would suggest not to go. Just be careful on the stairs. Would u drive 15-20 miles out of my way to climb it again? Probably not but if I were in the area of course I would.
9 months ago
Was able to climb to the top of the stairs and have a pretty good view. Just can’t access the room on top. There is a hike you can take here to which was nice and easy but the best view you will get is from the top of the stairs.