Mather Point

Perfect spot right to start the trip right off the visitor center of the south end. If you have a few hours on your first day before your hotel/room is available this is the perfect place to stop and spend the first few hours. I am particularly glad I was here for the snow but I am sure it is beautiful no matter when it is witnessed. Truly a surreal site that must be seen in-person to fully appreciate. May your adventures take you there one day.

Mather Point is one of the most iconic and easily recognizable viewpoints in the entire Grand Canyon. Many of the photos you see online are taken from this spot because it offers such wide, dramatic, and picture-perfect views of the canyon. If you’re entering through the South Rim Visitor Center, this is usually the first major viewpoint you’ll experience, and the moment you step out onto the overlook is truly breathtaking. The viewpoint is just a short, paved walk from the Visitor Center, making it very accessible for all visitors. The platforms extend slightly over the canyon edge, giving you uninterrupted, panoramic views of layered cliffs, deep valleys, and the Colorado River far below. It’s an excellent place for sunrise or sunset, and the lighting makes the canyon colors look especially vibrant. If you’re lucky, you may also spot wildlife near this area — occasionally mountain goats or other animals can be seen moving along the cliffs. That adds an even more exciting touch to the visit. Overall, Mather Point is a must-stop location for first-time visitors. Whether you’re taking photos, enjoying the scenery, or starting your Rim Trail walk from here, this viewpoint captures the true beauty and scale of the Grand Canyon.

I loved it! As an acrophobic person, it is a challenge to your senses, but totally worth it! I would start at the museum, since you can view behind glass and work up to the outdoor view. I didnt start that way, if I could do over i would. The scale freaked me out at first! It was difficult to deal with people playing on the edges and climbing over the fence! Its really difficult to watch if you are not comfortable with heights. So please be considerate, you are literally freaking people out and it ruins the experience for them. I could have sat there all day and just existed peacefully enjoying the amazing view, but some kid was climbing over the rim edges and slipped in front of me. I had to leave after that! I would recommend going early, just to avoid the crowds.

Mather Point is simply breathtaking. One of the most accessible and iconic viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, and yet it still feels overwhelming every single time. The vastness, the silence, the colors shifting with the light — it’s a place that reminds you how small and lucky we are to witness something this grand. Even with the crowds, the view dominates everything and creates a moment of absolute awe. Come early for softer light and fewer people, or stay for sunset to see the canyon turn gold and fire-red. A must-see. One of the most unforgettable viewpoints in the world.

11/29/25 perfect weather perfect views. Only wait 20 mins to get in the south entrance and this was our first stop. You can park and walk to Marther point point and view and leave or walk on the south rim trail to other view points. Very busy tourist stop you will have to compete for a picture. Views are amazing here and view stops on the south rim trail

At first, it was foggy, but the sun suddenly came out and we were able to witness a breathtaking view. We even saw deer up close, which was such a fascinating experience. It’s definitely a place worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

Great vista with a large viewing platform. Bit of a walk (paved) from the closest parking and shuttle area. Very crowded but that's for good reason - this is a centrally located and easily accessible sight with lots to offer!

Grand Canyon was on my bucket list, and I had the chance to visit this wonderful place during a business trip in Las Vegas. We came with a tiny plane. The journey alone was also stunning. We saw the Hoverdam from above, which also was breathtaking. I wished I made some proper notes, from where we started at Grand Canyon and where we ended. But anyways I was privileged to see this beautiful nature.

This is a beautiful viewpoint to get a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon and a great introduction to the immensity of it. You can see a portion of the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch at the bottom. It is also a great spot for Sunrise and Sunset photos. Mather Point is a short walk from the visitor center and has plenty of parking nearby. It's the closest viewpoint to the southern entrance station and is a part of the Rim Trail. The downside is that this is a very popular viewing location and can get really crowded at times. Mather Point is named for Stephen Tyng Mather, the first director of the National Park Service.

Mather(s) Point is where I went when I traveled to see the Grand Canyon. I originally was aiming for the South Rim, and thought that I was on the right road to there, but when I got inside the park past the ranger gatehouses I noticed it appeared the South Rim overlook had moved about 20 miles to the south of where I was now. Oh well, not a big deal. I had a great time at this overlook. The views are awe inspiring, and I can greatly recommend this location to everyone. I spent a couple of hours here looking and taking pics. It's a fairly short walk from the parking areas to the overlook, but they also run a shuttle bus, which may also go to other areas, that will take you back to the lots. Anyway, I had a great time, well worth the stop.

We loved this spott. I recommend you come about an hour n half after sunset and just look up and you will see the Milky Way Appear. We saw countless shooting stars. We also came for a day to see the sunset, but you want to arrive early to get to the point to see it all.

First of all, I must tell you that my review is nothing compared to what this place and the view actually is. The view of the Grand Canyon from Mather Point is one of the best that you will ever see in your life. The peaks, the painting by the winds on the canyon walls throughout the millenia, the smell of the nature, the depth of the gorge, everything is from out of this world. You have to be here to realize the vastness, the depth and the beauty of this place. We arrived here during COVID times (a week ago) but almost no one was following the protocol. But the place is huge, so it's easy to keep distance. On the way there, you will pass through the beautiful roads, and will almost certainly see a cavalcade of cars stopped just to watch the majestic Elks. We were lucky to have seen them so up close. Remember, this place is pretty far off of the nearest eateries or gas stations, so be mindful of this. You might want to have water on yourself to stay hydrated as it can be hot and this place requires a loooot of walking. Overall, this was the fourth wonder of the world I saw and I can hands down tell you that it was the most beautiful one so far. It's worth it.

One of the most stunning viewpoints within Grand Canyon National Park! If you're visiting, you're almost bound to make a stop here. The views are literally breathtaking. Mather Point is located along the popular Rim Trail and provides sweeping views of the canyon. The viewpoint is named after Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service and also one of the first advocates of Grand Canyon National Park. Mather Point is easily accessible since it's located right next to the Visitor Center. But with easy access comes large and busy crowds. This isn't a viewpoint that you'll be able to have all to yourself, but the views are still enticing nonetheless. This was definitely one of the most gorgeous views that I was able to witness while I visited the park. I can see why it's so popular; not only is it convenient, but this colorful view of the canyon is seriously jaw dropping.

The views are great but there are so many other great spots. This section is under a mile from the Visitor Center along the Rim Trail, which is probably part of its popularity. No bathrooms nearby. You can see the sunset off to the trees and the light reflects off the canyon.

Great view for sunrise. Get there early and bundle up. You will find parking that early in the AM, but if you plan to leave and return you will NOT find the same parking. Recommend this as a starting point and use the shuttles.

It's the Grand Canyon. Can you give any part of it less than five stars and still call yourself an American? It's awe inspiring and beautiful. If you haven't been there, go there immediately!

I drove up to the main visitors center in the park but I got there so early they were not open (they open at 9 am). I decided to walk to this lookout location while waiting on the bus and it did not disappoint. This location was where I first saw my first good view of the grand canyon. I never been to this place and never knew how beautiful it really is up close and personal. Keep in mind that the park is open 24/7 so if you arrive early you will have plenty of parking to choose from but during peak times parking is a premium a the park. The park does offer guest parking down in the town next to the park and from there shuttles pick up visitors and drop them off at the visitors center for the day. Visitors can catch the shuttle and get dropped off back to their cars by the same bus they took before. There are many shuttles running through the park and park rangers always seemed happy to help me when I asked questions. There is paved walkways leading from the parking lot (1,2 and 3) to the visitors center and this lookout point. There are railings keeping visitors from falling over the edge of the canyon. The bathrooms are located right outside the visitors center and the bus hub here has 4 or 5 different routes available for visitors to take (some routes are seasonal and do not run during the winter season). There are plenty of benches to sit that have shade covering, at nigth this location has plenty of night lighting to see the way. AT the time of my visit (October 13, 2019) it was not that cold outside just a little windy. The sun had just come out from behind the peaks and it was amazing. This is just one spot out of many that give incredible views of the south rim of the canyon. Even though I was there super early there were plenty of people walking around. I highly suggest taking the bus and going to hermits point because that is one of the furthers points that are less visited. The trails over there are not paved, they are just gravel and have no railing holding people back from falling over the edge.

I have to laugh a bit any time I see one of the world's great wonders -- natural or man-made -- on Yelp. I mean, c'mon, I'm not going to be able to convince someone to see, or avoid, something like the Grand Canyon. What I can do, however, is give recommendations on the best places to see the grandest of views. To me, two views stand out at the Grand Canyon: 1. The Desert View and Mary Jane Colter's stunning Watchtower and 2. Mather Point, an unforgettable vantage point at the South Rim of the Grand hole. Named for Stephen Tyng Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, you know you've reached Mather Point when you find a bronze plaque affixed to a rock: "He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations. There will never come an end to the good that he has done." It's a well-kept area with railings (not always the case!) and different levels of view. There are some large rocks on site that have become REAL popular, as one can stand on top, get some stellar photos, and also get a shot in one of those "king of the world" poses hovering over the Grand Canyon. From the location, you'll get expansive views of the South Rim, the Colorado River, Garden Creek, Tonto Trail, Pipe Creek, and, hell .... it's just a whole bunch of stunning, rust-red-rocked masterworks made by time. The area has an excellent gift shop/visitor's center, hiking trails, and short-cuts to other marvelous, unobstructed views of the Grand Canyon. And that's the Hole story.

Simply beautiful a must see military and veterans get in free too with was an awesome surprise can't wait to go back and spend a few days there and explore more

This was a great spot to view sunrise which I chose based on a personal recommendation and a photographer's blog. I got up around 5:15am to leave Tusayan for the park by 5:30am. I arrived around 5:45-am as there wasn't much traffic at that time and there was a lot of available parking. I was comfortable with: BOTTOM: thermal pants, athletic/hiking pants, wool socks, hiking boots TOP: two long-sleeved thermal shirts, a down puff coat, and a rain coat. I also wore a wool hat with ear flaps. **REI in Flagstaff is a great, and semi-final stop for snagging really quality last-minute gear that you'll likely find many uses for!** I was thankful to have prepared well as it was quite chilly waiting for the sun to rise. The only thing that could have made it more special would have been packing a nice hot thermos of coffee/chai. I did see one traveler enjoying a McDonald's sandwich and coffee at Mather Point! Bring your breakfast too if you feel like it:) The sun came up around 6:15am and with it a couple of Elk came onto Rim Trail which connects Mather Point to the Visitor Center, parking lots, etc. People kept respectful distances and took photos. The Elk seemed largely un-phased by their spectators. While the sun gradually lifted higher, I walked east along Rim Trail snapping photos on the way! An incredible opportunity -- and I think going for sunrise meant less crowd than during the day.

An incredible site. Breathtaking. Once we parked, we started on day at the canyon from here. Be sure to dress warm and wear comfortable sneakers. You don't want to miss a minute of the views. Just when you think it couldn't get any more gorgeous you round a hill. I have to admit this was a vacation that the hubby picked and I am more of a beach person but it's not a place to be missed. You won't even realize how long you been walking before you are done and want to do it all over again.

Pretty ok view point. Short walk from the parking lot, not a hike. You can walk from here all the way to the village where the food spots are by following the south rim trail

Very busy spot. But definitely a must see. Great for pics especially on top of the front rock right as you walk up.