Shoshone Point Grand Canyon | The hidden gem you’ll almost miss

Shoshone Point is part of the South Rim, located within Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It's named after the Shoshone people, whose ancestral lands stretch across parts of the American West. 

This viewpoint faces north-northeast, offering unobstructed views of the Colorado River, Desert View Watchtower, and far across to the North Rim. Unlike popular overlooks like Mather or Yavapai Point, Shoshone requires a bit more effort to reach—just enough to keep it pleasantly uncrowded most of the time.

The trail to Shoshone Point isn’t really a trail—it’s an old dirt service road, flat and wide, leading you about 1 mile (1.6 km) each way through shaded ponderosa pines. As you get closer to the rim, the forest shifts to pinyon-juniper woodland. The hike is easy, with only about 100 feet of elevation gain, and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour round trip, depending on your pace and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery.

The road is unpaved and can be muddy in spring due to snowmelt, so wear appropriate shoes and stick to the path to preserve the area.

Keep in mind: this trail starts from an unmarked dirt pullout along Desert View Drive. There's no signage, so you’ll need to keep a sharp eye between mile markers 244 and 246, more on that below.

The view from Shoshone Point is classic Grand Canyon. You’ll see layers of red rock, sweeping north-facing canyon views, and if visibility is good, Desert View Watchtower on the eastern horizon. The Colorado River winds through the canyon below, and on clear days, you may catch glimpses of Wotan’s Throne, Vishnu Temple, and other iconic landmarks of the canyon’s rugged topography.

This is one of the few places where you can sit in complete stillness, uninterrupted, and feel the scale of the Grand Canyon settle in around you. The area also has a covered pavilion, picnic tables, grills, and a vault toilet, making it perfect for private events and group gatherings.