ANGELO DE SIMONE
in the last week
As soon as you arrive at the Grand Canyon it is a place that literally takes your breath away for those who come here for the first time.
Viewpoint
Mather Point
The South Rim's first big view, steps from the Visitor Center
(14,424)
About
Mather Point is the first big canyon view most South Rim visitors get, and for a lot of people it's the one that makes them stop the car. It sits on a limestone outcrop at 7,120 feet, just a short paved walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, and the guardrail overlook drops roughly 4,500 feet straight down to the Colorado River. Named for Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, it's become the postcard shot of the park for good reason.
What you'll see
The view is wide and dramatic rather than framed and intimate — layered canyon walls stretching toward the North Rim about 10 miles across, with the river visible in the depths below on clear days. A few lookout points sit within a half-mile of flat ground near the main overlook, and if you walk about 30 minutes along the Rim Trail in either direction, the crowds thin out fast and the photos get better.
- Rating: 4.9 stars from over 14,000 Google reviews
- Access: paved, wheelchair-friendly path from the Visitor Center; reachable by the free park shuttle
- Open: 24 hours, every day
- On site: restrooms and a small snack bar near the main overlook
Parking lots near the Visitor Center fill up on busy days, especially midday in peak season, so arriving early or taking the shuttle is the easier bet. It's an easy stop — most people spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour — and it works well as the first or last viewpoint on a South Rim visit.
Best Time to Visit Mather Point
Open 24 hours, every day, so early morning or evening light generally means smaller crowds than midday. If you walk about 30 minutes along the Rim Trail in either direction, the crowds thin out fast and the photos get better.
Trail Tips for Mather Point
- Named for Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, this has become the postcard shot of the park.
- Restrooms and a small snack bar sit near the main overlook.
- Most people spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour — it works well as the first or last viewpoint on a South Rim visit.
Getting to Mather Point
A paved, wheelchair-friendly path connects it to the Visitor Center, and it's reachable by the free park shuttle. Parking lots near the Visitor Center fill up on busy days, especially midday in peak season, so arriving early or taking the shuttle is the easier bet.
What to Expect at Mather Point
Mather Point is the first big canyon view most South Rim visitors get, and for a lot of people it's the one that makes them stop the car. It sits on a limestone outcrop at 7,120 feet, just a short paved walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, and the guardrail overlook drops roughly 4,500 feet straight down to the Colorado River. The view is wide and dramatic rather than framed and intimate — layered canyon walls stretching toward the North Rim about 10 miles across, with the river visible in the depths below on clear days.
Reviews (14,424)
See all on Google4.9
14,424 reviews
Google Reviews
R
in the last week
Ben Niebuhr
in the last week
Jean Thomas
in the last week
First visit to the Grand Canyon and loved the walk and views
Beth Aguayo
in the last week
Absolutely breathtaking! Mather Point offers incredible panoramic views of the Grand Canyon. The scenery is truly spectacular, especially seeing the enormous canyon stretching into the distance. It was one of those places where the views are even more impressive in person. A must-see when visiting the Grand Canyon!
Powered by Google