Island Peaks Overlook

Island Peaks Overlook is a North Rim viewpoint reached by a short walk on an unpaved path. It looks into the canyon at steep, broken rock towers along the opposite wall. I'd add it to a slow North Rim drive if you want a closer look at the canyon's jagged rock, without taking on a long hike.

The Island Peaks are erosional forms, partly bounded by dikes, foliation planes and joints—weak lines in the rock that erosion can follow. Look across the spires and you can pick out slabs, cracks and narrow pinnacles rather than one smooth canyon wall. It's a good stop for seeing how the canyon's rock breaks into separate shapes.

The North Rim is the park's quieter, more primitive side, and this overlook works best as one of several short stops there. The last seven miles to the rim and the North Rim Drive are unpaved gravel, usually passable for most vehicles but not plowed. Vehicle access closes in winter and early spring, so check the current road status before setting out.

For a photo, keep the rock towers at the sides and the gorge open between them. That makes the narrow canyon feel deeper than a tight crop of the rock alone.