Trail View Overlook

Trailview Overlook is one of the standout stops along Hermits Rest Route on the South Rim, and its 4.9 rating across more than 750 Google reviews backs that up. What sets it apart from other pullouts is the angle: the overlook sits slightly elevated above the Bright Angel Trail, so instead of just looking across the canyon, you're looking down onto the switchbacks themselves and watching hikers work their way through the layered rock.

What you'll see

The view stacks the classic South Rim elements — steep cliff walls, banded red rock, and the Bright Angel Trail visible below — but the elevated perspective is what reviewers keep coming back to. It gives a real sense of scale: people on the trail look tiny against the canyon walls, which drives home just how massive this place actually is. It's a favorite for photos, and several reviewers single it out for sunset light.

• Where: Grand Canyon Village, along the Hermits Rest Route on the South Rim
• Best for: photos, sunset, and watching hikers on the Bright Angel Trail from above
• Good to know: it's a quick shuttle-route stop, not a hike — bring water and a hat, as reviewers note the sun here is no joke

It's an easy add to a Hermits Rest itinerary, and even though most people only step off the shuttle for a few minutes, reviewers consistently say it's worth the stop for the unique vantage alone.