Desert View is the first stop in the park if you are coming from the east and entering the park through the Desert View Entrance. This is a full-service stop with a general store, trading post and camping, but the main attraction is the famous Indian Watchtower.
Despite its appearance, the 70-fowot tower is not an ancient, crumbling stone ruin. It was built in 1932 and is one of four structures in the park designed by Mary Jane Colter, all of which are the National Register Historic Places. The designed to look like an Anasazi Watchtower, and much attention was giving to detail in its creation. The tower is build around a concrete and steel structure, but the stone exterior, with oneven rooflines, creates a dramatic effect, as it blends in with the surrounding colors. The interior walls, visible on every level from the circular balconies and stairways, are covered with what is meant to look like petroglyphs and ancientartwork. Where is an outdoor observation deck on the second level and an enclosed observation deck on the top floor, with incredible views out over the canyon and beyond to the desert on the east side.
