You Can Gaze 100 Miles Into The Grand Canyon At This Unique Watchtower In Arizona
By Katie Lawrence|Published February 12, 2019
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
As if the Grand Canyon wasn’t unique and breathtaking enough already, it just got about 10 times better. There’s a 70-foot-tall watchtower hiding on a small settlement that offers unparalleled views of this magical world wonder. Built nearly a century ago and full of ancient petroglyphs and Native American wall art, a visit here is an immersive experience in both cultural and ecological aspects. See for yourself:
Architect Mary Colter modeled this magnificent structure after the structures built by ancestral Puebloan people. She hand-selected the rocks so that her artistic vision could be brought to life with the utmost accuracy and precision.
Gazing up at the winding spiral staircase reveals hundreds of petroglyphs carved into the stone. Some of the rock art was brought in from actual Native American settlements in an effort to preserve local culture.
Beautiful paintings bring each level of the tower to life. Elaborate stories about the Hopi people are told with intricate detail, captivating all who lay eyes on them.
Upon reaching the top floor, also known as the Kiva Room, you'll notice it's without any decorations. This was an intentional act so as not to distract from the absolutely breathtaking views.
Each window offers a slightly different vantage point from which to appreciate the scenery. Look out from each one to gain several unique perspectives.
You'll see the Painted Desert to the east, the Colorado River to the west, and a panoramic view extending over 100 miles in all directions. There truly is no better place to marvel at the Grand Canyon landscape in its entirety.
While the daylight views are spectacular, nighttime just might be even more striking. Nothing compares to an Arizona sky set ablaze with millions of glittering stars.
