Maricopa Point

Best Time to Visit

Hermit Road's shuttle runs seasonally; outside that window personal vehicles are allowed, so check current access before planning your route here.

Good to Know: Orphan Mine

• The clearing and old equipment near the point mark the site of the Orphan Mine, which started as a copper claim in 1891 and later became one of the richest uranium sources in the country before it was shut down.
• Derelict cable line and mining structures are still visible from the rim, and uranium "hot spots" remain in unmined ground nearby — stay on the established trail rather than wandering past the barriers.
• This history adds real context to what looks like ordinary rubble near the overlook.

Getting to Maricopa Point

It's an easy stop on the Hermit Road shuttle route, making it a good add-on to a West Rim visit without committing to a longer hike.

What to Expect at Maricopa Point

Maricopa Point sits on Hermit Road on the South Rim, reached by a short walk from the parking area or along the Rim Trail. The rim narrows here to a thin promontory extending roughly 100 feet before it drops away vertically, opening up a view of more than 180 degrees with almost nothing blocking the canyon in front of you. You can trace long stretches of the Tonto Trail below and pick out the Colorado River itself.