Farview Point
See 90 miles: Navajo Mountain, Bryce hoodoos, and Henry Mountains on clear days.
Natural Attraction
From Farview Point, Utah's vast geological story unfolds in a single panorama: the pink hoodoos of Bryce Canyon drop 1,000 feet below, while Navajo Mountain—a laccolith, or uncapped magma chamber—rises 90 miles away on the southeast horizon. On clear days, the Henry Mountains appear an additional 84 miles east, equally dramatic laccoliths exposed by erosion. The Paria Valley and Grand Staircase spread eastward, stepping through geological formations toward Zion, made visible by Bryce's exceptional air quality—a clear atmosphere that reveals 20 million years of Colorado Plateau uplift and water erosion.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- Drive to mile 10.25 of the 18-mile Southern Scenic Drive (one of nine viewpoints). Paved parking pullout; 0.15-mile unpaved but flat trail leads north to Piracy Point.
- Distance From Entrance
- 16 miles south of the park entrance via Southern Scenic Drive (approximately 20–30 minutes from Visitor Center).
- Road Type
- Paved (Southern Scenic Drive to pullout). Unpaved trail to Piracy Point.
- Parking Availability
- Pullout parking, typically holds 10–15 vehicles. Fills by 8–9 am in peak season (June–August). Better availability in shoulder seasons.
- Peak Fill Times
- Mid-morning through mid-afternoon, June–August.
- GPS Coordinates
- 37.544569,-112.246949
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Early morning to mid-afternoon. Avoid midday sun directly overhead. Late afternoon creates alpenglow on hoodoos.
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Good for alpenglow on hoodoos and distant peaks. Sunset itself is off the west rim, but late afternoon light enhances eastward-facing formations.
- Best Season
- May through October. Clear autumn (September–October) and spring (May) offer best air quality for viewing distant peaks.
- Seasonal Access
- Open year-round as part of the Southern Scenic Drive, typically passable 365 days/year. Winter conditions (December–March) may require caution; check current road status.
- Snow Lingering
- Snow lingers into April at this elevation.
- Weather Patterns
- Afternoon winds common. Afternoon haze reduces visibility. Best visibility early morning. Exposure to weather on open plateau.
- Wildflower Peak
- June–July. Showy Goldeneye, Shrubby Cinquefoil in meadows above the rim.
- Fall Colors Peak
- Late September–early October. Ponderosa forest and aspen show golden hues.
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Viewpoint
- Main Features
- Hoodoos carved from Paunsaugunt Plateau. Distant views: Navajo Mountain (90 miles southeast, laccolith). Henry Mountains (84 miles east, laccoliths). Table Cliff Plateau (10,000 ft). Paria Valley and Grand Staircase geology. 1,000-foot drop to ponderosa forest floor.
- What Youll See
- Bryce Canyon's pink and white hoodoos carved into the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The Paria Valley, Table Cliff Plateau (10,000 ft), Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Grand Staircase descending eastward. Southeast: Navajo Mountain 90 miles away (a laccolith). East: Henry Mountains 84 miles away (also laccoliths). On clear days, five distinct geological formations are visible.
- Unique Characteristics
- One of nine viewpoints along Southern Scenic Drive. 90-mile sightlines. California Condor habitat (rare sightings). Exceptional air quality as a defining feature.
- Photo Opportunities
- Landscape: frame Navajo Mountain on southeast horizon with hoodoos in foreground. Alpenglow: late afternoon light on Pink Cliffs. Telephoto to resolve Henry Mountains.
- Best Viewpoints
- Main overlook railing for the panorama. For photography, position to frame Navajo Mountain southeast with hoodoos below.
- Common Wildlife
- Ravens, Clark's nutcrackers, juncos, mountain chickadees in ponderosa forest. Occasional Osprey nesting at Tropic Reservoir nearby. Rare California Condors.
- Best Wildlife Times
- Morning and late afternoon. Ravens, juncos, nutcrackers active. California Condors, if present, visible mid-morning when thermals develop (rare).
- Geological Formation Type
- Erosional Plateau and Distant Laccoliths
- Scientific Interest
- Showcases Colorado Plateau uplift (~2,000 feet across Paunsaugunt fault over 20 million years). Navajo Mountain and Henry Mountains are laccoliths—magma plumes that warped overlying rock without erupting. Exposed granite cores visible today result from subsequent erosion. Multiple stratigraphic formations visible: Pink Cliffs (Claron formation), Grey Cliffs (Cretaceous shales), White Cliffs (sandstones).
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- $35 per private vehicle (7-day pass). $30 per motorcycle. $20 per person (walk/bike). $100 additional for non-US residents (16+). America the Beautiful pass ($80/year) covers all federal sites.
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Picnic Areas
- No
- Accessibility
- Paved pullout with wheelchair-accessible parking. Main viewpoint is a drive-up overlook. Restrooms and trash receptacles accessible. Optional unpaved trail to Piracy Point is flat (0.15 mi) but not suitable for wheelchairs.
- Accessibility Level
- Drive-up view
- Nearby Facilities
- Restrooms and trash receptacles at pullout. Nearest food, lodging, fuel: Bryce Canyon City (30 minutes north), Tropic (20 minutes).
- Family Friendly Notes
- Good for families with young children if supervised—exposed cliff edge requires vigilance. Unpaved trail to Piracy Point is flat and appropriate for young hikers.
Safety
- Safety Considerations
- Exposed cliff edges with 1,000-foot drop—stay behind viewpoint railing. Unpaved trail to Piracy Point can be muddy or icy in winter. Altitude (~9,100 ft) may affect some visitors.
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Piracy Point (0.15-mile trail north), Paria View, Bryce Point, Natural Bridge, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point (all along Southern Scenic Drive).
- Trailheads Here
- Piracy Point Trail (0.15 miles, unpaved, flat)
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- Navajo Mountain is a laccolith—an uncapped magma chamber that cooled underground rather than erupting. Compare its singular peaked profile to the Henry Mountains east\n
- Early morning light strikes hoodoos at a low angle, accentuating striations and color layering\n
- Air quality here is an invisible asset: Bryce's lack of haze reveals geology 90 miles away that most parks cannot\n
- On exceptionally clear days, trace the Grand Staircase eastward: Pink Cliffs (Bryce) → Grey Cliffs (Kaiparowits) → White Cliffs (Zion direction)\n
- The Paunsaugunt fault (2,000-foot vertical displacement) separates Pink Cliffs at Bryce from Table Cliff Plateau to the east—a dramatic step in the landscape"
- Tips Advice
- Stay behind the railing—the drop exceeds 1,000 feet\n
- Visit early morning or in shoulder seasons to avoid crowds and haze\n
- Bring binoculars to resolve distant Henry Mountains\n
- The Paunsaugunt fault appears as a step in the landscape between Bryce's hoodoos and the higher Table Cliff Plateau\n
- Unpaved trail to Piracy Point is flat but can be muddy or icy; wear appropriate footwear"
More details
- Park Area
- Southern Scenic Drive
- Visitor Center Present
- No
- Guided Tours Available
- No
- Fishing Nearby
- No
- Boating Allowed
- No
- Climbing Areas
- No
- Review Summary
- Visitors consistently recognize Farview Point as a worthwhile stop, particularly those interested in distant geology and panoramic views. Satisfaction correlates strongly with clear-air conditions—those visiting on crisp spring or fall days report exceptional experiences, while summer haze can limit distant visibility.
Location
Frequently asked questions
Can I actually see Navajo Mountain and the Henry Mountains?
Navajo Mountain is visible on most days, 90 miles away. The Henry Mountains, 84 miles east, appear only under clear conditions with excellent air quality—spring and early fall offer the best visibility.
How long do I need to spend here?
15–20 minutes for the main overlook. Add another 15 minutes if you walk to Piracy Point.
Is there parking?
Yes, a pullout with 10–15 spaces. It fills by mid-morning in peak season (June–August); visit early or in shoulder seasons for easier parking.
Are restrooms available?
Yes, accessible restrooms are at the pullout.
Will I see California Condors?
Unlikely. Sightings here are rare, though populations in nearby Zion and Vermilion Cliffs are growing. Condors range over 100 miles daily but prefer those areas.
Is the trail to Piracy Point worth doing?
It's optional. The main overlook captures the panorama. The 0.15-mile trail is flat, unpaved, and adds 15 minutes if interested in a different angle.
Sources
- National Park Service
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.