Grand Canyon NP--Pima Point

Tips for Birding

In-depth information is found on the Grand Canyon National Park website.

About this Location

Pima is the final point along the West Rim Drive, though the road continues 1.5 miles further, ending at Hermit’s Rest which has a gift store, restrooms, and cafe, though here the views are rather limited – the canyon edge is quite densely wooded, and the overlook is at the end of a side canyon. But from Pima Point, at the northernmost corner of a wide promontory, there is nothing to block a vista of over 40 miles along the Grand Canyon, from Bright Angel Canyon in the east all the way west to Powell Plateau and the Great Scenic Divide.

Ninetyfour Mile Creek
The foreground on the west side is dominated by the deep, red canyon of Hermit Creek, on the far side of which the cliffs rise steeply up to the next two points (Yuma and Cocopa). The lower part of the creek has year-round flowing water and a narrow corridor of bright green vegetation, in contrast to the otherwise arid cliffs and canyons further west. Various sections of the Hermit Trail are in view, zigzagging down Cope Butte, crossing Hermit Creek, and winding around Travertine Canyon. The eastern panorama includes Monument Creek, the Granite Rapids, and The Alligator, while directly opposite is a fine view down Ninetyfour Mile Creek.

About Grand Canyon National Park

See all hotspots at Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon is considered one of the finest examples of arid-land erosion in the world. Incised by the Colorado River, the canyon is immense, averaging 4,000 feet deep for its entire 277 miles. It is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 18 miles at its widest. However, the significance of Grand Canyon is not limited to its geology.

The Park contains several major ecosystems. Its great biological diversity can be attributed to the presence of five of the seven life zones and three of the four desert types in North America.

The five life zones represented are the Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Transition, Canadian, and Hudsonian. This is equivalent to traveling from Mexico to Canada.

The Park also serves as an ecological refuge, with relatively undisturbed remnants of dwindling ecosystems (such as boreal forest and desert riparian communities). It is home to numerous rare, endemic (found only at Grand Canyon), and specially protected (threatened or endangered) plant and animal species.

Over 1,500 plant, 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, and 17 fish species are found in the park.

Notable Trails

Many options are available for day hikers. Both the South Rim and the North Rim offer rim trail hikes that have spectacular views of the inner canyon, some on paved trails. Or you can choose to day hike into the canyon. Permits are not required for non-commercial day hikes.

Content from Official Website, Day Hiking - Grand Canyon National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park website

Last updated January 25, 2024

Grand Canyon Panorama Map