Grand Canyon Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Drives

The Grand Canyon. Very, it’s truly a sight to behold, that is, and what better way to experience its vastness, well, than on a self-driven car tour? So, you’ve got the freedom to stop when you want, to soak it all in at your own speed, and really make it an adventure, you know? Yet, with so many viewpoints and scenic routes available, you may be asking yourself which roads are, more or less, seriously worth your time? Alright, so that’s why I have prepared a guide to the top five Grand Canyon car tours. So, come with me as, you know, we look at each driving route, basically highlighting what makes them so special.

1. The South Rim’s Desert View Drive

Alright, now the Desert View Drive, it starts near Grand Canyon Village and goes for about 25 miles east, yet offering lots of pull-offs and overlooks. So, maybe the most outstanding stop, actually, is the Desert View Watchtower. I mean, seriously, this stone tower, kind of, provides possibly 360-degree views, actually stretching as far, maybe, as the San Francisco Peaks. Alright, it’s quite the spot, and the historic architecture, actually, is just amazing. Plus, you have got views of the Colorado River down below. Then, you know, Mather Point offers one of the first glimpses of the canyon for many visitors, and it tends to be amazing. So, there are quite a few convenient facilities and incredible panoramic vistas, basically making it a very must-see location. Yet, you could check out the Yavapai Geology Museum too; in fact, you might get quite a bit out of it, actually. Like your exhibits, in fact, very explain the area’s complex geological history, very, you know. Plus, very, very panoramic canyon views are just next door.

Now, here are a few reasons why the Desert View Drive very grabs the top spot: so it combines beautiful vistas, actually, with history, I mean. It provides some cultural insight too. Desert View Drive might provide you with, literally, an expansive view along the South Rim that you just can’t get elsewhere. Read our full review: Desert View Drive Full Review and Details

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2. Cape Royal Road: The North Rim’s Gem

Alright, let’s turn to the North Rim; Cape Royal Road offers quite a contrast to the South Rim. Basically, it’s a much more isolated drive, so, you’re getting peace, actually, away from bigger crowds. And, very, well, there’s some seriously stunning vistas awaiting you. Actually, Cape Royal itself provides, arguably, seriously, incredibly sweeping views. And you might even be able to see the Angels Window rock formation! Alright, Angels Window, as a matter of fact, its eroded hole that, you know, actually creates, like, an almost unreal framing of the canyon beyond. Also, Point Imperial is at an even higher elevation than the South Rim, so you have just got views going, actually, practically forever, actually. Seriously impressive. If you are planning on seeing this, you’d better make sure that you’ve looked up the opening and closing dates of this particular rim before setting off. Since the road is at altitude, the opening dates are usually between May and October.

Now, Cape Royal Road stands out because: alright it offers unmatched quiet. And views from the North Rim are very special. Like, in particular, this location provides some of the Grand Canyon’s, like, widest, most unobstructed views. Read our full review: Cape Royal Road Full Review and Details

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3. Yaki Point Road: For Sunrise Seekers

If getting up super early is your thing, or kind of your thing, and you absolutely want to, well, see an amazing sunrise, in fact, very check out Yaki Point Road, in fact! That, actually, could be pretty great too, very. Yaki Point, alright, now it’s closed to private vehicles, so, yet you’ll, you know, probably have to ride a free shuttle. Yet, it’s genuinely so worth it, in that case. Now, Yaki Point juts out pretty far into the canyon, anyway giving seriously panoramic east views that, basically, just perfectly capture sunrise, right? Seriously. You might find it magical as the light hits the canyon walls. Basically it does put on a really epic show, actually, yet creating vivid colors everywhere, right? Then, after you’ve really gotten your fill of morning beauty, go see the South Kaibab Trail, right? You have just access near Yaki Point to great views! So it goes, now, as your way too to actually begin hiking a very, very famous, I would say fairly beautiful trail, by the way. I would say, I’d rather just say it all.

Very sunrise-seekers have so many options. Yet Yaki Point could be that ultimate experience, in fact. Plus a shuttle ride makes it seriously accessible, though, yet still keeping that pristine viewpoint in mind. Read our full review: Yaki Point Road Full Review and Details

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4. Hermit Road: A Westward Vista

Alright, so now, another South Rim option, now, is Hermit Road, in fact, that stretches to the west of Grand Canyon Village. Yet, again, there’s restricted private vehicle access for much of the year, that. Seriously use that free shuttle because, like your multiple viewpoints, well, are just seriously amazing. Anyway, in this case, this is your go to location. Hopi Point’s, it’s very much one of the better spots, that, for sunset views, just capturing so amazing and seriously wide panoramas across the canyon. Actually, well the Abyss is super dramatic, of course. And, basically, the views go straight into the canyon’s interior. All right, a pretty nice name there, The Abyss. Meanwhile, anyway, you also have Monument Creek Vista that does showcase water sculpting the canyon itself; I mean, come on. You should see it. Meanwhile Hermits Rest over at the road’s very end is also worth your quick visit; actually, well it has both a gift shop too that is historical and, actually, seriously unique architecture there to see.

Maybe if, kind of, very want very wonderful views plus free transport, Hermit Road’s is possibly the destination. Alright very beautiful west vistas! They do truly highlight Canyon topography here. Read our full review: Hermit Road Full Review and Details

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5. State Route 64: Gateway to the Canyon

Maybe if getting there really could also be an experience, State Route 64 going towards the South Entrance does deserve some mention, probably. This entrance near Tusayan now has a really nice amount; in fact, the route comes very much into stunning views of some real Ponderosa pines plus grasslands; and, if this really is that kind of road there, now, this highway here actually offers different services nearby at these trading posts just along it. What could be even a little bit more than this highway, like State Route 64, actually does provide an unforgettable first impression just, of course, once you get closer to the South Rim itself? And, honestly, actually; anyway I did even find that kind of gateway location, to honestly, and, honestly, have basically just fallen to love it at the spot I saw!

Now, if you very want scenery during any type and gateway services; now do really start that exploration; so then start the experience via State Route 64 here; honestly, you may seriously just take your full journey by surprise! Read our full review: State Route 64 Full Review and Details

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