yaki point

It's absolutely breathtakingly beautifull at this place. Trying to capture it on photo is tricky, especially the awesome sunset you can view here.When traveling to the canyon, try and plan for a sunset here, you won't regret it.

Best views on the South Rim. Only place the first day we were there where the fog burned off. Beautiful sunset. Must take the orange shuttle but that is easy and free. Do not miss it!

I took the shuttle bus there since Mather Point at that time was misted over,and was able to see the bottom of the canyon as it was clear. By the time I got back to Mather Point it was also clear..perfect timing.

Wake up early. Take the first or second shuttle of the day to Yaki point. Watch the sunrise. Take your time. Get there when it's pitch-black and stay until it's bright. The changes in the lighting over the landscape make it worth it. No picture will capture just how beautiful it is.

If you are staying at Yavapai or elsewhere in the eastern section, this is the place to go for sunrise. Plenty of terraced areas to step up your tripod. Sun comes up to your right so it is not directly in your eyes, and it slowly fills the canyon with shades of gold and orange.

This was one of our favorite stops. There is a small dirt lot just past the turnoff where the buses take you. Do not take the bus but instead drive your car to the small dirt lot 100 feet past the turnoff and park there. Then walk across the street to the trail that cuts through the trees to the road. Once we were closer to the end of the road we got off the pavement and walked along the rim of the canyon. It was very quiet and peaceful. Like all the other stops, most people just get out of the bus/car and see only the immediate area. We walked and took photos for over an hour of the canyon with no one around. This is a great area that you can explore with great views and very little people except at the very end of the road.

One could just sit here forever looking out at the scenery. We even had a cheeky squirrel come right up to us and amazingly he posed right on the edge of the drop off and we got a magnificent photo with the canyon in the background.

We were there and they were giving a talk on migrating birds. The talk was very informative and after the girl giving the presentation invited everyone to visit the area they observe the migrating birds.

Because this is an area only accessible by shuttle buses it tends to be a little less crowded. We hiked up here after our rim mule ride and it's probably yielded my favorite photos of the trip. We left the road for a trail that followed along the road and weren't disappointed! I'm sure there are thousands of little trails off the main road, but this was like finding gold!

If you only have time for a short visit on the South Rim, catch one of the very efficient shuttle buses on the orange route and go to Yaki Point (just stay on the bus until it reaches Yaki Point). This viewing site was our second favorite because just like “Pima Point” (red shuttle route), this viewing point of the Grand Canyon embodies much of the Grand Canyon experience.Now, if you have a lot more time to spend in the Grand Canyon National Park, do, by all means, visit other viewing sites – each one has something unique that is awe-inspiring and worth making the stop and spending time at. It’s just that after we made all of the consecutive stops at each viewing site, we found that Yaki Point (and “Pima Point” at the opposite end of the park on the red route) just encompassed an accumulation of what we had just experienced.

Most peaks were hit by the sun at sunrise and sunset then from any other point we were at this trip.

Yaki point is accessible via Grand Canyon shuttle only between March 1st to Nov 30th ie no private vehicle parking is allowed during those dates.Get here about 45mins or earlier to stake out a good spot if you're a photographer. It can get a little busy at times and the lineup for the shuttle to take you back to the Visitor Center can get a little long after the sun has set. Just keep in mind that boarding the bus is via the front doors only! Don't be "that" person who jumps in from the back doors when others were in line ahead of you. There's a nice little ledge, just off to the right of the main observation lookout area facing east (away from the sun) where it is mostly unobstructed and partially sheltered from the wind. If you shoot into the sun, you'll get mostly silhouettes if that's your thing. But it is nice to watch the sun dip below the horizon sometimes. Just wait around a little longer, looking towards the east for that last burst of golden sunlight (well hope for it) just after the sun dips. You'll get your violets, indigos, magentas and oranges popping on a good day. It doesn't last very long, maybe a minute or two for the peak colours and just like that, it's over. We were there for the last week of October and it got pretty chilly after sunset so take a warm jacket/sweatshirt with you. There were some folks out just in t-shirts that were shivering for the 15min waiting for the shuttle.Last shuttle leaves the point 1 hour after sunset every 30mins. If you miss the last shuttle, I'm told there's a taxi service available. The only fee for this attraction is your vehicle's pass when you drive into the park.There are public washrooms at this location.

You cannot drive up to YAKI point in your car. That is one of the things that makes this point so special. My husband and I rented bikes and throughly enjoyed the view. We talked to a patrolman who was ticketing cars who didn't follow the rules. Hey, they are serious, park patrons--no cars here.

We hiked the .7 mile to Yakima Point and staked our "spot" for watching the sun set over the Canyon. So many people doing the same thing! Interesting to hear so many languages. All the world is fascinated with our Grand Canyon! The sunset was amazing - the shadows, different colors of the rock formations. But most amazing was AFTER the sun disappeared...the sky took on a pinkish glow which reflected on the walls of the canyon until it was too dark to see it any longer. ANOTHER wonderful adventure for us.

Seeing the canyon from this location is a must-see for GCNP visitors. Take your time and absorb the views.