Shoshone Point Trail
A quiet forest walk to one of the South Rim's least-crowded overlooks
About
Shoshone Point is an easy, roughly 2-mile round-trip walk along an old dirt road through ponderosa pine forest on the South Rim, ending at a quiet overlook facing north-northeast toward the Desert View Watchtower and across to the North Rim. Elevation gain is minimal, and the flat, wide roadbed makes it one of the more forgiving rim walks in the park. Because the trailhead is an unsigned dirt pullout off Desert View Drive rather than a marked parking lot, plenty of visitors drive right past it, which keeps foot traffic light compared to the paved rim trails near the village.
Good to know
- Trailhead is an unmarked dirt pullout near mile marker 246 on Desert View Drive, about 3 miles east of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center
- The road can turn muddy in spring as rim snow thaws
- A covered pavilion, picnic tables, grills, and a vault toilet sit at the point; there's no water or electricity
- The site is sometimes reserved for private events through an NPS permit — if the access gate is open or unlocked, expect a reservation may be underway
Best Time to Hike It
The road can turn muddy in spring as rim snow thaws — plan for that if visiting in that season.
Trail Tips
- A covered pavilion, picnic tables, grills, and a vault toilet sit at the point; there's no water or electricity.
- The site is sometimes reserved for private events through an NPS permit — if the access gate is open or unlocked, expect a reservation may be underway.
- Light foot traffic here makes it a good choice for visitors seeking a quieter alternative to the village-area overlooks.
Getting to Shoshone Point Trail
Trailhead is an unmarked dirt pullout near mile marker 246 on Desert View Drive, about 3 miles east of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Because the trailhead is unsigned, plenty of visitors drive right past it, which keeps foot traffic light.
What to Expect on Shoshone Point Trail
Shoshone Point is an easy, roughly 2-mile round-trip walk along an old dirt road through ponderosa pine forest on the South Rim, ending at a quiet overlook facing north-northeast toward the Desert View Watchtower and across to the North Rim. Elevation gain is minimal, and the flat, wide roadbed makes it one of the more forgiving rim walks in the park.
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