yavapai observation station

Trip Adviser insists on mislabeling this attraction. The Park literature and maps list it as the Yavapai Geology Museum. And that misses the point as well. There is a fine little museum here with a well done graphic explanation of how the GC was created by tectonic plate movements, the Colorado River and wind and rain erosion. But the reason the museum is here is the fantastic panoramic view of the Canyon. Not only is the view sweeping and awe inspiring, it is also, the Park guides say, the best place to see the entire geologic history of the Canyon, with all the layers of rock nicely exposed. In addition to the museum and the tremendous viewing opportunities, this is also the place to go for Ranger geology talks.

You can visit the Yavapai Museum of Geology which is near to the visitor center/Mather point. The museum is small but is situated at the end of the grand canyon and offers the best panoramic views of the Canyon.

I think it's the best view on the south rim! The model of the Grand Canyon was a favorite for our family. We also enjoyed the information provided.

It was cold the day we visited the Canyon so we were happy to find this gem! We went inside and enjoyed the views from the inside! Their was a ranger in there that would answer any question you might have and tell us about the canyon!! Their is also a lot of history and explanations of how the rocks formed! Also a small store inside!

The geology and geography info you get at the Yavapai Station gives you more insight to what you have seen or will see if you stop here. This stop also has great views of the canyon from behind giant windows if you get queasy looking out or down into the canyon. Plus, if the weather is cold and snowy like when we were there in late December you can get great views from the inside and not stand in the wind and cold. I would still highly recommend driving out to both Hermits Rest to the west and Desert View to the east to get enjoy many other great views.

What a great way to teach people about the geography and geology of Grand Canyon. The views from Yavapai are also awesome. The gift shop has lots of books, maps, etc. to keep your interest.

Every point we stopped at contained breath taking views. Yavapai Point gave some great views of the trails. I stated in my other reviews that it almost makes no sense to take photos since it doesn't capture the massive landscape when you are there. This is just another beautiful viewpoint.

If you are staying at the South Rim then this is a very worthwhile place to walk to. You can take in the views along the South Rim and also the Geology Walk which shows the age and samples of the different types of rock in the Canyon. The Observation station and Geology museum is fantastic for Geology buffs and those just interested in the amazing diversity of rock types in the Grand Canyon. If you can time it right the Ranger talks are really informative. Oh yeah, teh view out of thh massive picture windows is majestic.

This is a wonderful spot to get acquainted with the structures in the Grand Canyon. It takes less than a half hr., but the relief map helps you get oriented and points out things you would otherwise miss.

Wow. The exhibits are OK, but the view is unbelievable. Just imagine having a house here! Pretty easy walk from Mather Point of on the shuttle route.

Great place to go if it's really cold and you are just passing through. Lots of historical information and an indoors glass lookout.

Yavapai Point is another good location for sunset watching. There's a couple great viewing locations left of the main observation area.The first one is about 75yrds down the path, past the main lookout area. Walk out onto the rocks and you should see a small path below the ledge that is accessible just off to the left. Follow the path down a little and you'll be away and below most others to get an unobstructed view.The other location is about 250yrds from the main lookout and is on a bit of a ledge jutting out into the abyss below. This spot gets pretty crowded in a hurry.I still think Yaki Point was a better sunset location for photographers. If you just want to sitback and watch the sun dip below the horizon, Yavapai is probably better. There is a washroom facility here as well as private vehicle parking. Shuttle service back to the Visitor Center runs for 1hr after sunset so check with the park (or shuttle driver) ahead of time just so you don't get stranded. There is a Grand Canyon Village taxi service that you can call if you happen to miss the last shuttle.It gets chilly/cold at nights so pack some warm gear with you depending on time of year.The only fee required is your vehicle park pass that you paid for at the main park gates.If you're early, you can go check out the Yavapai Museum.

Go there towards the end of the day and you will have a great view of the Colorado river flowing towards the Grand Canyon Spectacular view

One of the highlights of the Grand Canyon park. A remarkable representation of the Native American architecture and culture. Added to the already spectacular view of the canyon. Don't miss it.

Disclaimer: I like museums. A lot. On family trips I'm sometimes just getting started with an exhibit when my family is getting finished. In that context, I found this geology museum to be at once good and yet with issues. First, it's the only Park museum we visited that focusses on the rocks, so going to "the other GC geology museum" isn't an option (that we found). The timeline of Canyon development was pretty good but some interactive features didn't work. The 3D map was helpful, especially being oriented with the windowview. Finding the 3 highlighted features (Shiva, Isis, Cheops) was tough for me, I think because the 3 little models on the first window plaque are turned differently from the window view. Finally got Cheops by using a compass and the 3D map, then found the others. They're featured because they show differential erosion down to 3 different strata (Kaibab Limestone, Coconino Sandstone and Redwall Limestone, resp.). Incidentally, this was the first place we saw the Kaibab Suspension Bridge across the river, which my family enjoyed while I read some more plaques :>D. If you have an academic interest in the geology and formation of the Grand Canyon don't miss this one, but perhaps with alternate plans for others in your group…