Grand Canyon National Park South Rim scenic canyon panorama

Lipan Point

Originally written by Tony Subia

Reviewed and updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on August 20, 2026.

Lipan Point is one of the most expansive overlooks along the Grand Canyon South Rim, with sweeping views across the canyon and an unusually long perspective of the Colorado River. From the overlook, visitors can see the river curving through the Inner Gorge, prominent temples and buttes, ancient rock layers and distant landmarks across northern Arizona.

Located along Desert View Drive, Lipan Point is especially noted for views of Hance Rapid, Unkar Delta and the tilted layers of the Grand Canyon Supergroup. It is also a popular location for photography, sunrise, sunset and night-sky viewing.

Current Closure
What You Can See
Geology & History
Best Time To Visit
Visitor Tips
Location & Directions
Desert View Drive Map
Photo Gallery
FAQ

Lipan Point Temporarily Closed In 2026

Lipan Point and Lipan Point Road are temporarily closed to all visitor use from June 22 through December 23, 2026. Grand Canyon National Park is completing rehabilitation work that includes pavement removal, trail reconstruction and resurfacing around the overlook.

The Tanner Trail remains open during the closure. Hikers accessing the trail must park at No Name Point, approximately 1,000 feet west of Lipan Point Road along Desert View Drive, and walk to the Tanner Trailhead. Parking along Highway 64 near the Lipan Point Road intersection is not permitted during the closure.

Visitors who want canyon views during the closure can use other overlooks along Desert View Drive, including Moran Point, Navajo Point and Desert View.

Panoramic view from Lipan Point at the Grand Canyon South Rim

Lipan Point. Credit: NPS

Lipan Point At A Glance

Location: Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon South Rim
Elevation: Approximately 7,360 feet
Road: Arizona State Route 64 / Desert View Drive
Nearby landmark: Desert View and Desert View Watchtower
Known for: Colorado River views, Hance Rapid, Unkar Delta and Grand Canyon Supergroup geology
Popular activities: Sightseeing, photography, sunrise, sunset and night-sky viewing
Parking: Normally available at the overlook when open
2026 status: Temporarily closed through December 23, 2026

Colorado River and Grand Canyon viewed from Lipan Point on the South Rim

What You Can See From Lipan Point

Lipan Point provides exceptional views of the Colorado River deep within the canyon. Hance Rapid, one of the powerful whitewater rapids along the river, lies nearly four miles away and can sometimes even be heard from the rim. On clear days, views extend northeast toward the Vermilion Cliffs approximately 45 miles away.

Visitors can also look down toward Unkar Delta, where Ancestral Puebloan people once lived and cultivated crops including beans, corn and squash. The river, delta, temples, buttes and multicolored canyon walls combine to make Lipan Point one of the South Rim's most visually complex overlooks.

Grand Canyon Geology At Lipan Point

Lipan Point is especially valuable for viewing the Grand Canyon Supergroup, a sequence of ancient tilted rock layers exposed in only a limited number of places within the canyon. These layers contrast dramatically with the more horizontal rock formations that dominate much of the Grand Canyon landscape.

The panoramic view also includes numerous spires, buttes and temple-like formations, along with layers of black, gray, red, brown and tan rock. This combination of geology, river views and vast open space makes Lipan Point particularly rewarding for photography and for understanding the immense scale of Grand Canyon.

Best Time To Visit Lipan Point

Spring: Mild daytime temperatures and good visibility can make spring excellent for sightseeing and photography, although wind and late snow are possible.
Summer: Warm weather and long days are popular, but thunderstorms, lightning and heavy visitor traffic can occur.
Fall: Cooler temperatures and generally comfortable conditions make fall an excellent season for South Rim sightseeing.
Winter: Snow can create spectacular canyon scenery, but icy roads, cold temperatures and temporary closures are possible.
Sunrise & Sunset: Lipan Point's broad eastern and western views make it especially popular during changing light conditions.

Lipan Point Visitor Tips

Check the current Grand Canyon National Park alert page before traveling because Lipan Point is closed through December 23, 2026.
Stay behind railings and well back from unprotected cliff edges.
Bring drinking water, especially during warm weather and longer drives along Desert View Drive.
Use sun protection because shade is limited at many South Rim viewpoints.
Expect rapidly changing weather, particularly during summer thunderstorms and winter storms.
Bring binoculars to see Hance Rapid, Unkar Delta, the Colorado River and distant geological features.
Allow time to visit nearby Navajo Point and Desert View while traveling the eastern South Rim.

Where Is Lipan Point?

Lipan Point is located along Desert View Drive, also designated Arizona State Route 64, on the eastern portion of the Grand Canyon South Rim. The overlook is near mile marker 263.5 and is approximately two miles west of the park's East Entrance.

Desert View is immediately east of Lipan Point, while Navajo Point is the next developed overlook to the east. Grand Canyon Village is farther west along Desert View Drive. The full scenic drive between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View is approximately 23 miles.

When Lipan Point is open, visitors reach the overlook by a short paved spur road from Desert View Drive. During the 2026 rehabilitation closure, Lipan Point Road and the overlook are closed to visitor use.

Desert View Drive Map

Lipan Point Photo Gallery

Colorado River viewed deep below Lipan Point at Grand Canyon South Rim

Lipan Point With View of the Colorado River

Winter temperature inversion viewed from Lipan Point at Grand Canyon

Winter Inversion at Lipan Point

Grand Canyon Desert View Planning Resources

Nearby South Rim Overlooks

To The West: Moran Point
To The East: Navajo Point
Farther East: Desert View & Watchtower

Frequently Asked Questions About Lipan Point

Where Is Lipan Point At The Grand Canyon?

Lipan Point is located along Desert View Drive on the eastern portion of the Grand Canyon South Rim, approximately two miles west of the park's East Entrance.

Is Lipan Point Open?

Lipan Point and Lipan Point Road are temporarily closed from June 22 through December 23, 2026 for rehabilitation and maintenance work.

What Can You See From Lipan Point?

Visitors can see long stretches of the Colorado River, Hance Rapid, Unkar Delta, the Grand Canyon Supergroup, numerous canyon temples and buttes and, on clear days, the distant Vermilion Cliffs.

Can You See The Colorado River From Lipan Point?

Yes. Lipan Point is known for one of the longest visible perspectives of the Colorado River from any developed South Rim overlook.

Can You See Hance Rapid From Lipan Point?

Yes. Hance Rapid can be seen deep within the canyon from Lipan Point and is located almost four miles from the overlook.

What Is The Elevation Of Lipan Point?

Lipan Point is approximately 7,360 feet above sea level.

Is Lipan Point Good For Sunrise And Sunset?

Yes. Its expansive canyon and river views make Lipan Point popular for both sunrise and sunset photography when the overlook is open.

How Far Is Lipan Point From The Grand Canyon East Entrance?

Lipan Point is approximately two miles west of the Grand Canyon National Park East Entrance along Desert View Drive.

Can You Access Tanner Trail During The 2026 Lipan Point Closure?

Yes. Tanner Trail remains open, but hikers must park at No Name Point approximately 1,000 feet west of Lipan Point Road and walk to the trailhead.