Skip the Midday Rush at This Iconic Arizona River Overlook and Catch the Canyon Walls Glowing at Sunset

A river sits about 1,000 feet below a single overlook in northern Arizona, bending so tightly it nearly ties itself in a knot. The walk out takes roughly 15 minutes each way. The bigger choice is when you show up. Plenty of road trips squeeze this stop into midday, with a quick photo and a hurried walk back. I believe that’s the wrong move. The rim opens at sunrise and stays open until sunset, so those last golden minutes are fair game. When the sun drops low, the red canyon walls start to