The park's 7-mile (one-way) South Rim Road provides an excellent and fairly easy way to see much of the park. There are a dozen overlooks along the drive, and in most cases you'll be walking from 140 feet to about 700 feet to reach the view points from your vehicle.
Among the not-to-be-missed overlooks are Gunnison Point, behind the visitor center, which offers stunning views of the seemingly endless walls of dark rock, capped by a pinkish rock layer; and the Pulpit Rock Overlook, which provides a splendid view of the rock walls and about 1 1/2 miles of the Gunnison River, some 1,770 feet down. Farther along the drive is Chasm View, where you can see the incredible power of water, which here cut through more than 1,800 feet of solid rock. Near the end of the drive, stop at Sunset View, where there's a picnic area and a short (140-ft.) walk to a view point, which offers distant views beyond the canyon as well as of the scenic canyon (but not the river). And if your timing is right, you might be treated to a classic Western sunset, in all its red-and-orange glory.
Note: South Rim Road is closed to motor vehicles beyond the visitor center in winter.
The North Rim Road (generally closed in winter) accesses six overlooks, each providing stunning views into the canyon, over the almost vertical walls of the North Rim.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
