Where should I go to watch the sunset?

Well, the sunset is certainly a beautiful sight to behold; turning the layers of the canyon vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold. A real memory maker. The key to enjoying the full impact of sunset is to have your back to the sun! New Mexico has incredible sunsets almost day after day….making New Mexico almost arrogant about her sunsets. There, you face the setting sun and watch the colors in the sky mix into a plethora of drama. But New Mexico doesn’t have millions of years of material in layers of different materials in a mile deep canyon to reflect the light. In that sense, the Grand Canyon can be arrogant! So….back to the setting sun, face the canyon and relish the hues, shades, and tones of color. It is almost impossible not to utter an “ooooh” or an “aaaaah”.

Really anywhere along the Rim Trail or Desert View Drive provides incredible views of the canyon for sunset. Hopi Point has been mentioned in many articles as “the point” to see the sunset, but truly it is only one of many overlooks that are equally as spectacular or maybe even more enjoyable because of fewer visitors.

Finding Joy

About the Author

Joy Grand Canyon

Joy taught environmental sciences at Southern Vermont College and became active in outdoor land use.  Joy now lives ‘off-the-grid’ near the Grand Canyon on an acreage with solar power, and hauls water for her own needs and for her struggling raised-bed desert garden, dogs, cat, chickens, and Garrett-the-goose. Joy has rafted the Colorado River from Moab to Lake Mead, hiked many of the trails, and stayed at Phantom Ranch several times either by hiking or by mule.  Learning and reading is her passion, and she is constantly learning more about the Grand Canyon.

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Joy is well traveled but never found a place that was more well suited for her than the Grand Canyon.  This is her home.  Stop in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and allow her to share her home with you.