Powell Point, Grand Canyon National Park

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Grand Canyon National Park > South Rim > Viewpoints > Powell Point

View east from Powell Point; ridge below Maricopa Point

Powell Point is another narrow spur along the West Rim Drive, on which is built a granite memorial to John Wesley Powell, erected to commemorate his two groundbreaking explorations of the Colorado River in 1869 and 1872. The point is only a 10 minute walk through the pine woods from Maricopa, past Orphan Mine, so many people hike rather than wait for the next shuttlebus. The vista is similar to that from Maricopa except that more of the canyon to the west is visible, though some is still obscured by the next ridge (Hopi Point). The river is not in view since it flows deep within its inner granite gorge.

End of Salt Creek

Powell Point was chosen as the site for the dedication ceremony of Grand Canyon National Park, in 1920. The overlook is another good location for sunset watching, with fewer people than at Hopi Point, but an easy quarter mile walk from it. Eastbound shuttlebuses do not stop at Powell Point.

Next Points
West: Hopi Point
East: Maricopa Point

South Rim Viewpoints

Yuma
Pima
Mohave
Hopi
Powell
Maricopa
Grandeur
Yavapai
Mather
Yaki
Shoshone
Grandview
Moran
Zuni
Papago
Pinal
Lipan
Navajo
Desert View