What part of Grand Canyon has the most spectacular views?

Answer 1

All of them. :) This a little subjective because everybody has their favorite overlooks.

The big difference in views between the North and South rim is that the river runs closer to the South Rim (which is lower elevation). As a result, South Rim views tend to be very vertical - looking downward into the canyon. North Rim views tend to be more horizontal - you look outward over side canyons and buttes. Both perspectives are breath-taking and I would have a hard time choosing one over the other.

Here are a few of my favorite overlooks:
Yavapai Point (South Rim) - Has a rare excellent view of the river and good view of the famous Bright Angel Canyon and the Tonto Plateau.

Grandview Point (South Rim, east edge of Park) - An interesting different view of the canyon because it shows the more open eastern end of the canyon transitioning into the deep and narrow gorges of the central canyon.

Point Sublime (North Rim) - Considered by many to be the best rim view of the canyon. Long rough drive down a dirt road west of the lodge though.

Cape Royal (North Rim) - Another great view with Woton's Throne butte in the foreground (a favorite of painters). Nearby Angel's Arch overlook allows you to see a small stretch of river through a natural arch.

As a poster above mentions, the view (and experience) from down inside the canyon is very different from being on the rim. Feeling the walls rise above you and the whole canyon surrounding you is my favorite way to experience the canyon. You don't have to go all the way to the bottom and back (in fact, you don't want to try that in a day). But going down South Kaibab Trail (South Rim) 1.4 miles to Cedar Ridge will give you dramatic views. A much tougher day hike is the 9 mile round trip down Bright Angel trail to the famous Plateau Point overlooking the Inner Gorge.

Answer 2

Well, there are two places. The North Rim is the best if you want a great view with no crowds. There are people there, but nothing at all like the South Rim. Also, if you really want some great views that are very isolated, the west rim of the canyon is good for horseback riding and just views. The second place you need to see the canyon from, is inside the canyon itself. If you can't go all the way to the bottom, at least take a day hike down in the canyon for some views that you will not see from anywhere else. I have been there twice and am going again in June of this year.

Answer 3

I like the views from the North Rim. It is also less crowded there so you can enjoy relative solitude (but for the Grand Canyon, that is still not very much). There is also a view called Toroweap Point, that is very remote to get to, but it is the best view by far. Google it and you will see why I think so.
It is on the North Rim, but the canyon edge towers directly over the river. Nowhere else does the rim get so close to the river's edge.

Answer 4

north rim...