Pros & cons
PROS
- Authentic Native American crafts and jewelry
- Ice cream, fudge, coffee, and quick snacks
- Covered patio facing the canyon
CONS
- Not a full-service restaurant
- Can be busy midday and prices run high for the park
Overview
A classic Desert View stop, the Trading Post mixes a curated shop of Native American arts and crafts with a handy snack counter for ice cream, fudge, coffee, and cold drinks. It sits just steps from the rim and the Desert View Watchtower, so you can pair shopping and a treat with some of the area’s best big-canyon views.
Why it’s worth a stop
If you want souvenirs that feel tied to this place, this is one of the better spots on the east side. You’ll find handmade jewelry, baskets, rugs, wood carvings, and other work representing tribes associated with the canyon. When the sun’s cooking, the ice cream window is a crowd-pleaser, and the covered patio lets you sit with a view while you refuel.
What to expect
Inside is part gallery, part gift shop, and part snack bar. Selection leans toward authentic crafts alongside the usual park souvenirs. Food is simple—think ice cream, sweet treats, coffee drinks, and grab‑and‑go snacks—so plan elsewhere if you’re after a full meal. Parking for the Desert View complex is nearby, and it’s a short walk to the Watchtower and viewpoint.
Context & nearby
Mary Colter’s 1932 Desert View Watchtower is right next door, and the Trading Post fits into that same cluster of visitor services. It’s an easy add-on while you explore Desert View Point and soak up the river vistas and Painted Desert horizons.
Wildlife
Around the rim you may see opportunistic ravens and the occasional mule deer or squirrel, though this busy hub isn’t prime wildlife territory. Keep food secured and enjoy animal sightings from a distance.
Best time to visit
- Hours generally run daytime into early evening; expect peak lines from late morning through late afternoon.
- For a calmer browse and shorter ice cream wait, swing by mid‑morning or after 5 pm.
- If you’re here for patio views and photos, late afternoon light pairs nicely with a cone before sunset over Desert View Point.
Where it is
36.0432, -111.8258Tips for Desert View Trading Post
- 01Pair this stop with the Watchtower and Desert View Point—everything is steps apart.
- 02Hit the snack counter mid‑morning or after 5 pm to avoid the longest lines.
- 03Browse here first if you want authentic crafts before the more generic gift shops.
- 04Bring a refillable bottle; potable water is available in the Desert View area.
Amenities
Near Desert View Trading Post
All places →All trails →
0.1 mi awayDesert View WatchtowerMary Colter tower with murals and sweeping canyon-to-desert viewsRestroom · Parking
0.1 mi awayDesert View PointVast river-and-desert panoramas crowned by a historic watchtowerScenic Viewpoint · Parking
0.4 mi awayDesert View CampgroundQuiet South Rim camping steps from Desert View and sunrise viewsCampground · Restroom
0.8 mi awayNavajo PointHighest South Rim overlook with huge views and Watchtower vistasPullout · Parking
1.7 mi awayEscalante RouteRemote riverside traverse with slot canyons and a spicy Papago scrambleChallenging · 9 mi · 12 hr
1.7 mi awayBeamer TrailRemote ledge traverse to the Little Colorado’s unforgettable confluence.Challenging · 19 mi · 14 hr
1.7 mi awayTanner TrailRugged rim-to-river epic from Lipan Point to Tanner RapidsChallenging · 16 mi · 48 hr
3.1 mi awayTusayan Pueblo TrailTiny loop through 800-year-old Puebloan ruins—short, rich stopEasy · 0.1 mi · 30 min
