Considered by many to be one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon National Park seems to be a bucket list destination for people from all over the world.

The canyon stretches for 277 miles and at its widest, it spans 18 miles.

During our Utah national parks road trip, Berty and I weren’t initially planning to visit because it was too far away.

Though, being so close and hating to miss an opportunity, we took a long detour to see this amazing park one afternoon.

In this short post, we’re sharing pictures from our gorgeous sunset view!

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park

Where were we before this?

Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park was the southernmost point of our Utah road trip last March.

We were making our way south through the east side of Utah, made a quick detour down to Arizona, and after this, we would work our way up the west side. If we had a little bit more time, we’d plan a road trip through Route 66 to see even more amazing Southwest destinations!

We were taking photographs for a few companies along the way, but for the most part, this was a trip that Berty and I had wanted to do for a long time!

It was nice to get back on the road and explore new places together!

Here are some posts we’ve written on this particular trip:

Grand Canyon National Park - The Mandagies

The Day’s Plans

Our original plan was to explore the South Kaibab trail, but we arrived too late in the day to venture that far into the canyon.

We spent some time walking along the paved rim trails and stopping frequently to take pictures and watch people climb up and down the winding canyon trail.

After a while, we got tired of the crowds (I know, they are still around in March!!) so we wandered to Yaki point in search of the perfect sunset spot!

We were pretty excited when we found this rock that overlooked the canyon.

We sat for quite some time watching the smoky sun rays illuminate the canyon and all its jagged features. We’ve never seen colors so rich!

The oranges of the sun and blues of the coming shadows created such a beautiful combination.

More Locations To Watch The Setting Sun: Canyonlands National Park, Bolinas Ridge California

Before the sun completely set, we spent some time playing with the light. I’m pretty sure we spent at least 10 minutes getting the perfect jump, and the light was so perfectly placed! Poor Berty had to keep climbing up the rock and jumping down!

As the sun set, we started to hear the howling of coyotes! We stayed silent for some time and listened to their calls in the blue hour.

Final Thoughts

This day wasn’t as “adventurous” as we thought it would be, but rather it turned into a beautiful slow evening together just watching the sunset.

It wasn’t what either of us was expecting, but it was exactly what Berty and I needed to reflect on the trip so far and prepare for what was ahead on our journey.

We are so grateful to be able to travel and see the world with one another.

What’s Nearby?

This was just one of many stops on our amazing Southwest road trip. Next, we’re continuing our adventure north, ready to discover more amazing American southwest destinations! If you’re looking for things to to do extend your trip around the Grand Canyon, here are some options to consider:

Page, Arizona: This small Arizona town is famous for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyons. However, there are SO many amazing things to do in Page, Arizona we think it deserves more than just a pass-through!

Zion National Park: Zion National Park is full of iconic hikes, most famously is the dangerous Angels Landing Trail. Reserve a campsite in Zion National Park to make the most of your time in this busy and popular park.

Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce Canyon is a great stop if you love nature, and seeing geological formations up close! The orange hoodoos of Bryce Canyon draw millions of visitors every year to wind through its enchanting high desert trails.

Sedona, Arizona: Love getting in touch with your mind, body, and spirit? This desert community is the perfect place to get in touch with yourself! From yoga retreats to amazing hiking trails in Sedona, you’re sure to come out with great memories and a refreshed mind.