Newberry Butte
A rim-view landmark deep inside the canyon, best seen from Moran Point
About
Newberry Butte is one of the freestanding buttes deep in the canyon's interior, visible from Moran Point on the South Rim rather than a place most visitors ever set foot on. It rises to 5,105 feet with about 645 feet of prominence, capped in Redwall Limestone over the older Tonto Group rock below — the same layered story you're reading at every canyon overlook, just isolated into its own free-standing tower. From the rim, it sits roughly 4.5 miles north of Grandview Point, a few miles southwest of Vishnu Temple and south of Wotans Throne, part of the crowded skyline of named formations east of Grand Canyon Village.
Good to know
- Named for geologist John Strong Newberry, who explored the Colorado River region in 1858 and later encouraged John Wesley Powell's famous river expedition; the name was formally adopted in 1906.
- Reaching the summit is a serious canyoneering objective, not a hike — legendary Grand Canyon explorer Harvey Butchart made the first recorded ascent in 1963, rated class 4 scrambling.
- For everyone else, the butte is a landmark to pick out from Moran Point rather than a destination in itself.
Best Time to View It
Moran Point is accessible year-round on Desert View Drive, so timing follows your broader East Rim visit rather than a season specific to this formation.
Good to Know
- Named for geologist John Strong Newberry, who explored the Colorado River region in 1858 and later encouraged John Wesley Powell's famous river expedition; the name was formally adopted in 1906.
- Legendary Grand Canyon explorer Harvey Butchart made the first recorded ascent in 1963, rated class 4 scrambling.
- For everyone else, the butte is a landmark to pick out from Moran Point rather than a destination in itself.
Where to See Newberry Butte
View it from Moran Point on the South Rim's Desert View Drive. Reaching the summit is a serious canyoneering objective, not a hike.
What You're Looking At: Newberry Butte
Newberry Butte is one of the freestanding buttes deep in the canyon's interior, visible from Moran Point on the South Rim rather than a place most visitors ever set foot on. It rises to 5,105 feet with about 645 feet of prominence, capped in Redwall Limestone over the older Tonto Group rock below. From the rim, it sits roughly 4.5 miles north of Grandview Point, a few miles southwest of Vishnu Temple and south of Wotans Throne.
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