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One of the more notable man-made attractions on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the Desert View Watchtower (also called the Indian Watchtower at Desert View). It is based on the Kivas (Pueblo spaces used for rites and political meetings). The Grand Canyon is one of America's most iconic national parks and a place everyone should visit. If one has the time, visit both the North Rim and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The most famous place for Ancestral Pueblo ruins is Cliff Palace - the largest cliff dwelling on the continent. While in the area, consider staying at the Kokopelli Cave - a man-made cave accommodation with a Kiva replica.
What To Know Of The Desert View Watchtower
The Desert View Watchtower is located at Desert View and is around 20 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. The Desert View Watchtower was built in painstaking detail. The architect, Mary Colter, directed the placement of all the rocks and the architectural accent of the tower.
She was careful to pay homage to the styles and techniques of the local tribes while using locally sourced rocks and reused timber. The end result was that the tower appears to have grown surprisingly organically from the rim of the canyon.
It is rather difficult to tell where the canyon walls end and where the tower begins. The tower is built with an internal steel framework to add strength to the structure, but this is not visible from the outside.
- Height: 70 feet or 21 meters
- Location: Desert View, Grand Canyon
- Designated: National Historic Landmark
The four-story watchtower was built in 1932. The Watchtower was influenced by the architecture of the Ancestral Puebloan people of the Colorado Plateau. It was modeled after several towers found at Hovenweep and the Round Tower of Mesa Verde.
How To Visit The Desert View Watchtower
Anyone can visit the Desert View Watchtower. Currently, visitors are not able to go up to the upper floors of the Watchtower. The upper floors are closed until further notice. But everyone can visit the lower Kiva Room.
- Opening Hours: 8.00 am to 6.00 pm (Desert View Watchtower Retail Store - Kiva Room)
There are no park shuttles to Desert View; everyone needs to drive (or take a commercial bus tour). Visitors need to hike a short 0.25-mile or 0.4-kilometer walk from the car park to the Watchtower. There are restrooms, a general store/market, and a trading post at the site.
Finally, there is no lodging at Desert View except for the NPS seasonal campground. The campground is open from mid-April to mid-October.
See The Cultural Demonstrations At Desert View Tower & Enjoy The View Of The Grand Canyon
From the Watchtower, people can enjoy the stunning views of the eastern part of the Grand Canyon. In the distance, people can make out the Colorado River transition from the fairly narrow Marble Canyon to the much wider and broader Grand Canyon.
- Outdoor Info Desk: Staffed 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Daily (Staffing Permitting)
Cultural demonstrations are held at Desert View and are a chance for visitors to interact with Tribal artisans from Grand Canyon's Traditionally Associated Tribes. Learn about the local tribal skills and history. Visitors should also ask at the information desk for the current location.
Cultural Demonstrations:
- Times: 9.00 am to 4.00
- Days: Thursday & Friday
- Season: Until October 21
The Kiva Room - Learn About The Ancestral Pueblo
Visitors can go to the lower room of the tower - the Kiva Room. Here people can get a sense of the traditional Native American kivas. There is also a Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Store located in the Kiva Room. The Ancestral Pueblo seems to have used kivas for several functions - including as a domestic residence and for social and ceremonial uses.
Go at the right time, and visitors are able to see the cultural demonstrations held at the Watchtower throughout the year.
Visitors can peer through the windows of the Kiva Room out over the Grand Canyon. Gaze into one of the reflectoscopes and see a different perspective of the Grand Canyon.
While at Desert View, take the time to discover the Tusayan Pueblo Museum and ruins.
Elsewhere in the region, New Mexico is one of the best places to learn about the Ancestral Pueblo and see some of its most impressive ruins. There is even a "lost city" of the Ancestral Pueblo located under the waters of Lake Mead.