Point Imperial Trail & Overlook on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim

Point Imperial is the highest overlook in the Grand Canyon at 8800 feet. It is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and contains sweeping views of the canyon and Mount Hayden. The Point Imperial Trail offers a 5 mile out and back hike to explore the area.

Mount Hayden

Point Imperial provides a view of Mount Hayden, one of the most photographed places in Grand Canyon National Park. It is a sandstone spire reaching an elevation of 8,372 feet perched over Nankoweap canyon.

Mt Hayden is named for Charles T Hayden, who came to Arizona in 1858 on the first stagecoach to Tucson. He played an integral part in the development of Tempe, establishing the first store there in 1870. He was the father of US Senator Carl Hayden.

Point Imperial Trail

Point Imperial Trail is a 5 mile roundtrip out and back hike from the parking lot at Imperial Point. Some guides consider it a fork to the Ken Patrick Trail as it starts where Ken Patrick ends at Point Imperial.

The area surrounding the Point Imperial Trail was part of the 2000 Outlet fire. The fire was part of a prescribed burn that jumped its containment in Widforss west of Bright Angel Point. The fire was driven by strong winds and burned more than 13,000 acres over nearly two weeks in May 2000 before it was contained. It now contains wildflowers and aspens in the regrowth areas.

How to Get There

Point Imperial is reached by car via the Fuller Canyon Road / Cape Royal Road which intersects the highway between Jacob Lake and the North Rim Visitor Center about three miles north of the Grand Canyon Lodge. After about five miles, the road forks – the right fork goes toward Roosevelt Point and Cape Royal. The left fork goes to Point Imperial parking lot and overlook.