Plateau Point Trail, Hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Plateau Point Trail begins at Havasupai Gardens, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) down the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim. It heads northeast, follows about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of the Tonto Trail, then splits north for another 0.75 miles (1.2 km) to end at Plateau Point. The overlook stands about 1,300 feet (400 m) above the Colorado River and 3,000 feet (900 m) below the rim, facing the Granite Gorge between Pipe Creek Canyon and Monument Canyon.

Native peoples used this section as a passage route through the canyon, establishing paths that would later become the modern trail. The route has served travelers for generations, evolving from ancient footways into a recognized hiking path.

The trail leaves the Tonto Trail at Havasupai Gardens, a day-use area with water when turned on. From the junction it runs 0.75 miles to Plateau Point, where hikers look down about 1,300 feet to the Colorado River in Granite Gorge, between Pipe Creek Canyon and Monument Canyon.

Bring plenty of water and start early in the day, as the trail is demanding and heat can be a challenge at lower elevations. Plan your day carefully and check conditions before you go, especially in warmer months.

Plateau Point sits about 1,300 feet (400 m) above the Colorado River yet still 3,000 feet (900 m) below the South Rim, so the river is visible from directly overhead. The trail reaches it after 0.75 miles (1.2 km) along the Tonto Trail from Havasupai Gardens, then another 0.75 miles (1.2 km) north to the point.