Desert View Watchtower - Desert View

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- Environmental Action at Grand Canyon South Rim
- 2011 Sustainability Report

Desert View Watchtower

Categories: Shopping

Location: Desert View

Intensity: 1

Duration: 1-2 hours

Directions:

From the East: Coming from the East on Highway 64, Desert View is the first opportunity you will have to view Grand Canyon after coming into Grand Canyon National Park at the East entrance. Follow the signs to the Desert View parking area, then walk down the paved path to the Watchtower.

From the South: From Grand Canyon's South Entrance Gate on Hwy. 64, continue north and follow the signs to Grand Canyon. Keep an eye out for a right turn onto East Rim Drive toward Cameron, following the signs to Desert View, 23 miles to the East. Follow the signs to the Desert View parking area, then walk down the paved path to the Watchtower.

From Grand Canyon Village: Go out Center Road to the "T" of Hwy. 64 - turn left and follow the signs to Desert View and Cameron, taking the next right onto East Rim Drive, and out 23 miles to Desert View. Follow the signs to the Desert View parking area, then walk down the paved path to the Watchtower.

Maps: Printable Map

The historic Watchtower, with majestic views of the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River and Plateau, and Navajo lands, offers authentic Native American arts and handcrafts, along with other southwestern gifts for the whole family. Visit one of Mary Colter's most unique architectural works at the Canyon, and enjoy shopping in the large circular room fashioned after a traditional Kiva, with stunning views of the canyon from every window. Go up into the tower for panoramic views from the highest viewpoint at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Intensity: 1, Duration: 1-2 hours, Location: Desert View

Description

This is one of Mary Colter's most unique architectural works at Grand Canyon, with the gift shop in a circular kiva room re-creation at the base of the tower itself. As you browse the authentic Native American arts and handcrafts lining the shop's walls, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the canyon from each of the large picture windows. In the center of the room, you'll find photographs, apparel, Native American jewelry, rugs and other handcrafts, and a variety of gifts with Grand Canyon or ancient pictograph motifs. A side room has historically been the Native American Jewelry Room, and remains so to this day, featuring also Native American pottery, dye charts and replica artifacts. The Watchtower features a large selection of items that are made in the USA. A quiet room to the side is devoted to books and postcards, and there are children's and adult t-shirts throughout the store, many exclusive to the Watchtower.

All Xanterra stores at the South Rim are longtime members of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, promoting authentic Native American creations. You can be assured that you are purchasing authentic Native American arts and handcrafts in our stores.

A walk up the Watchtower's circular staircase will take you to a beautiful room featuring famed Hopi artist Fred Kabotie's murals of petroglyphs, pictographs and artifacts. You'll be able to go out onto a second-floor rooftop terrace overlooking the canyon and river, and at the top of the stairs, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the highest viewpoint at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Merchandise Offered

Native American handcrafts
Native American jewelry from Navajo, Zuni, Santo Domingo artisans
Books, posters and postcards
Apparel
T-shirts, some exclusive to Desert View Watchtower
Southwestern gifts
CDs and DVDs

History

At 7,438 feet, Desert View is the highest point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the Watchtower rises an additional 70 feet. Designed by Mary Colter and built in 1932, its design was based on towers Colter found at ancient pueblos in the Four Corners region.

The Watchtower project brought (Mary) Colter back to the Grand Canyon for what would be a series of buildings conceived in response to the rise of tourist traffic. The number of annual visitors to the national park had grown from approximately 44,000 in 1919 to more than 200,000 in 1929……

…..The tower is built over a steel-frame structure erected on a concrete base. Just as she had done at her other rim-side projects, however, Colter took great pains to tie the building visually to the terrain, making the Watchtower look like it sprouted from the site.

- From "Mary Colter, Architect of the Southwest by Arnold Berke

For archive photos of Mary Colter's architectural work at Grand Canyon, see the Park Service photo collection.

Season

Open year-round.

Contact Information

928.638.2736

Hours of Operation

Notes: These are minimum hours listed in The Guide - actual hours may differ. Check with the store. Grand Canyon National Park is in Mountain Standard time zone and does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Desert View Watchtower stairs close one half hour earlier than the store.

2009-2010 Dates of Operation	Minimum Hours
May 14 - September 2, 2009	8:00 a.m. - Sunset
September 3 - October 21	9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
October 22, 2009 - February 24, 2010	9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
February 25 - May 12	8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
May 13 - September 1	8:00 a.m. - Sunset
September 2 - October 20	9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Online Gift Store

Take home a Grand Canyon South Rim memory today. Just visit any Xanterra gift shop or visit our Grand Canyon South Rim Online Gift Store.

Fred Harvey Trading Company

Resources

Related Information

Additional Maps

Additional printable maps of the Grand Canyon area are available courtesy of the National Park Service. Visit our general Maps page for more information.

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