Mohave Point

Mohave Point is a designated South Rim overlook on Hermit Road, looking down to the Colorado River. Make the stop if you want a clear river view and a reason to linger over the canyon’s details: Salt Creek, Granite and Hermit rapids are all visible below. The river gives this panorama a focal point among the canyon’s many layers.

All nine designated viewpoints on Hermit Road have shuttle stops. Private vehicles are excluded from March 1 through November 30, so most visitors use the free Red Route shuttle. In winter, cars under 22 feet may drive the road and the Hermit Road shuttle does not run. You can also walk or bicycle the route. Access changes with the season, so check the road plan before setting out.

Across the river, The Alligator points toward the Tower of Set. Emery Kolb named the first formation, and painter Thomas Moran named the second. Horus Temple and Osiris Temple stand nearby; look left for Tower of Ra and right for Isis Temple. These names turn the far wall into a little map to follow while you’re at the rim.

Mohave sits between Hopi Point and The Abyss on the Canyon Rim Trail. Hopi is 0.8 miles east by dirt trail; The Abyss is 1.1 miles west, also on dirt. Hermit Road’s rim path mixes paved and unpaved stretches, so this stop works as a walk between viewpoints as well as a shuttle stop.

Sunrise and sunset are the times singled out for this overlook. For a photo, keep the Colorado River in the frame with several canyon layers around it; the water gives the wide view a clear focal point. Conditions and light vary, so treat the color as a bonus rather than a promise.

There is parking for cars and buses or RVs, interpretive exhibits, and a picnic table. If you want a snack, continue west to Hermits Rest, where there is a small snack bar. Mohave is a scenic stop with straightforward facilities, so plan food elsewhere if you are not bringing your own.