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 13

Pipe Creek Vista

This is the first viewpoint pullout along scenic Desert View Drive and offers a lovely, focused view into the canyon, particularly highlighting the deep drainage carved by Pipe Creek as it winds its way to the Colorado River.

Sunrise & Sunset River View

  • Shuttle Stop Yes - Orange Route.
  • Restrooms No.
  • Food No.

What You Will See

This is the first viewpoint pullout along scenic Desert View Drive and offers a lovely, focused view into the canyon, particularly highlighting the deep drainage carved by Pipe Creek as it winds its way to the Colorado River. From the overlook, you'll get a clear perspective of prominent buttes, including O'Neill Butte and the majestic Brahma Temple, all framed by the expansive distance between Mather and Yaki Points. The unique feature of Pipe Creek Vista is its relative tranquility compared to the busier, main overlooks, providing a more peaceful spot to take in the panorama. Furthermore, the terrain here supports a special micro-habitat of Douglas Fir trees growing on the canyon walls, fed by water runoff and cooler temperatures, making it a particularly good place for birding and appreciating the delicate ecology of the rim.

Best Time to Visit

  • Best light Both Sunrise and Sunset
  • Crowd level Moderate
  • Shuttle route Orange Route — Kaibab / Rim

Distance & Time from Red Feather Lodge

Approximately 7 miles from Red Feather Lodge. Allow at least 3-4 hours to see all 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).