Grand Canyon Flooding Update  —  Red Feather Lodge and the Town of Tusayan remain open and unaffected by the recent Grand Canyon flooding. The South Rim remains open for day use. Overnight lodging inside the park is temporarily suspended, while lodging in Tusayan remains available and unaffected.   Read the full update →

Grand Canyon South Rim · Viewpoint 18

Moran Point

This viewpoint was named after the influential landscape painter Thomas Moran whose art helped establish the canyon as a national park, provides a spectacular panoramic view and is considered the premier stop for understanding the Grand Canyon’s geology.

Sunrise & Sunset River View Historic Landmark No Shuttle — Drive

  • Walk from Parking 1 minute
  • Shuttle Stop No.
  • Restrooms No.
  • Food No.

What You Will See

This viewpoint was named after the influential landscape painter Thomas Moran whose art helped establish the canyon as a national park, provides a spectacular panoramic view and is considered the premier stop for understanding the Grand Canyon’s geology. From the rim, you can see all three major rock groups that make up the canyon's geological history: the horizontal Layered Paleozoic Rocks that form the rim; the tilted, colorful strata of the ancient Grand Canyon Supergroup; and the dark, deep Vishnu Basement Rocks near the river, where the Colorado River can be seen carving its path. The unique feature of Moran Point is its perfect visual cross-section of the canyon's geological timeline, making it the best viewpoint for clearly identifying and appreciating the vast difference in age between these three primary rock layers. This makes it a favorite spot for photographers, especially at sunset, as the light dramatically highlights the striking, varied colors of the rock layers.

Best Time to Visit

  • Best light Both Sunrise and Sunset
  • Crowd level Low
  • Shuttle route No Shuttle Service — Desert View Drive

Distance & Time from Red Feather Lodge

Approximately 21 miles from Red Feather Lodge. Allow at least 3-4 hours to see the viewpoints along Desert View Drive.

Good to Know Before You Go

Viewpoint is only accessible by private vehicle and is open year round (weather permitting).