Day Hike

Zuni Trail

A quiet, unmarked walk to one of the South Rim's least-visited overlooks.

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Grand Canyon interior, AZ

About

The Zuni Trail is a short, unmarked walk through open pine forest to Zuni Point, a backcountry overlook on the South Rim east of Moran Point. There's no official trailhead sign and no maintained tread — you park along the road between mileposts 257 and 258 and follow a path through the trees for about half a mile, staying close to the rim, to a promontory marked by a USGS bench mark at 7,278 feet.

What you'll see

Zuni Point looks down into Red Canyon and out to where Papago Creek's two forks meet the Colorado River near Hance and Nevills rapids — over a mile of river is visible from the rim here. Across the canyon, the North Rim panorama stretches some 30 miles west, taking in Vishnu Temple, Krishna Shrine, and the colorful banded rock of Red, Mineral, and Asbestos canyons.

Easy, mostly flat out-and-back walk through pine forest, roughly a mile round trip
No trail signage — park along Desert View Drive and follow the tree line toward the rim
Quieter than nearby Moran Point despite comparable or better views

Best Time to Visit

Desert View Drive is accessible year-round, so timing follows your broader East Rim visit rather than a season specific to this overlook.

Trail Tips

Across the canyon, the North Rim panorama stretches some 30 miles west, taking in Vishnu Temple, Krishna Shrine, and the colorful banded rock of Red, Mineral, and Asbestos canyons.
Easy, mostly flat out-and-back walk through pine forest, roughly a mile round trip.
Quieter than nearby Moran Point despite comparable or better views — a good pick for avoiding crowds on Desert View Drive.

Getting to Zuni Point

Park along the road between mileposts 257 and 258 on Desert View Drive and follow a path through the trees for about half a mile, staying close to the rim, to a promontory marked by a USGS bench mark at 7,278 feet.

What to Expect on Zuni Trail

The Zuni Trail is a short, unmarked walk through open pine forest to Zuni Point, a backcountry overlook on the South Rim east of Moran Point. There's no official trailhead sign and no maintained tread. Zuni Point looks down into Red Canyon and out to where Papago Creek's two forks meet the Colorado River near Hance and Nevills rapids — over a mile of river is visible from the rim here.

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