Yovimpa Point

Overview

Yovimpa Point caps the park’s Southern Scenic Drive with a sweeping, south-facing panorama. It’s the park’s highest accessible viewpoint, perched near the Pink Cliffs and just a short walk from Rainbow Point. If you like big-picture landscapes, this is your capstone stop.

What You’ll See

• Layer-cake geology in every direction: Pink Cliffs close at hand, with distinct bands of the Grand Staircase—Grey, White, Vermilion, and Chocolate Cliffs—stepping off to the horizon.
• Far-reaching visibility on clear days, often 50+ miles into northern Arizona.
• A complementary angle to Rainbow Point: Rainbow looks more north; Yovimpa opens wide to the south.

Why It’s Worth Your Time

Many visitors never make it to the end of the road, so this overlook can feel calmer than the central amphitheater stops. The perspective here helps you grasp the broader regional geology—arguably the best place to appreciate the Grand Staircase as a whole.

Logistics & Amenities

Yovimpa Point sits at the very end of the 17-mile Southern Scenic Drive and shares a parking area with Rainbow Point. Expect basics: restrooms, picnic tables, trash and recycling, and a bike rack. There’s no food, water filling, or stores—plan ahead.

Trails From Here

If you want to stretch your legs, you’ve got options right from this area:

• Bristlecone Loop: an easy, roughly 1-mile loop through high-elevation forest.
• Riggs Spring Loop: a strenuous, about 8.6-mile backcountry loop.
• Under-the-Rim access is nearby for multi-day hikers.

Wildlife

This high-elevation forested rim is typical habitat for mule deer, birds of prey, and small mammals. Keep your eyes up and your ears open—wildlife tends to be most active in the cooler parts of the day.

Best Time to Visit

Aim for clear conditions to maximize those long views. Arrive early or near sunset for softer light and fewer people. It’s higher, colder, and often windier than the main amphitheater, so bring layers any time of year.