A Drive Through Indian Country

Consider another signature meal at the El Tovar Dining Room for breakfast, where you can try their Sonoran-style eggs, prime rib hash, Southwest quesadilla, or the 3-B trio of buttermilk, blue corn, and buckwheat pancakes.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Yavapai Point is one of the most popular Grand Canyon viewpoints, with panoramic views all the way from Havasupai Point in the west to Desert View in the east. This offers a deep look into the inner Canyon, where you can spot the Colorado River and even Phantom Ranch, at the bottom of the Canyon.
Here you can take the Trail of Time. This 2.8-mile trail walks you through time, providing plenty of educational signposts to explain the amazing flora, fauna, geology, and geography you are seeing. Each metre walked on the timeline trail signifies one million years of Grand Canyon's geologic history!
This is also the site of Yavapai Observation Station, which features geological displays and photographs and where you can spot hikers on the North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails, using one of the observation scopes located along the Rim.

At Mather Point – named after Stephen Mather, the Park's first superintendent –, you can see almost a quarter of the entire Grand Canyon, as well as iconic rock pinnacles like Vishnu Temple and Zoroaster Temple. Amazingly, you are also at an elevation of over 7000 feet!

You can't beat the view at the top of the Desert View Watchtower, where you can get a 360-degree viewpoint of the Canyon after just 85 steps. This is another iconic building designed by Mary E. J. Colter, which opened in 1932.
In addition to the incredible views and fantastic architecture, you will find a couple of markets with local goods and memorable souvenirs.
Please note: After turning off Highway 64 onto Desert View Road, continue straight ahead until you reach the large parking lot.

Stop for lunch and browse the Native arts and crafts at the Cameron Trading Post, a historic place of trade and community for the Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo peoples from the early 20th century to the present.
The restaurant serves up authentic Native foods, including the icon of the region, the Navajo taco. This features the famous Navajo fry bread, a springy bread that is fried to a golden brown and smothered with ground beef and beans, chopped green chili, fresh lettuce and tomato, and tangy cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit the official website.

Enjoy the beauty of the sheer, deep red cliffs that make up The Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. Make a stop at the historic Lonely Dell Ranch and Lees Ferry, where Mormons and other Western pioneers could safely cross the Colorado River. Look around for anglers hoping to catch some rainbow trout at this well-known fishing hotspot, or for rafters about to make their journey through the Grand Canyon. (This is where it starts!)
Make sure to take a short walk to the homestead (Lonely Dell Ranch) of the family who ran the ferry service. Not only is their house impressive given the isolation, see how persistence paid off with the creation of the self-sustaining orchard where all kinds of fruits are grown. In the right seasons, you’re allowed to pick some of the fruit for yourself!
After Lees Ferry, you may pass by some roadside sellers of Native American jewellery. If interested, stop, take a look, and get a chance to speak to the artisans themselves.

Welcome to Utah! This is Kanab, where many Western movies were filmed (a museum here memorialises this history) and where outdoor enthusiasts find a wide range of adventures. Settle in at Sego Restaurant for an inspired menu featuring regional favourites and Asian classics. This is a great place to try a Prickly Pear Margarita or a Utah Underground, made with a local herbal anise liqueur.
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday, Friday – Saturday: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Thursday, Sunday: Closed
Visit the official website to book a table.

Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is not just an ordinary modern hotel with first-rate amenities, it's an offshoot of a beloved animal rescue shelter, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. It offers pet-friendly rooms and pet-focused amenities, including an on-site dog park, dog walking and care for when you visit the national parks, and dog washing station. Not into pets? Not to worry – you don't need one to stay here! The hotel won the 2022 Best Motel in the State of Utah award, one of the many reasons to stay here.
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