Fantastic views! Well worth the visit!
Trip Snapshot
Best Time to Visit
Sunrise or late afternoon light; Mar–May & Sep–Oct for mild weather
Open
Open now · Open 24 hours
Price Range
$ (free; park entry fee required)
Time Needed
10–15 minutes
Parking
Free parking at Grand Canyon Visitor Center (0.3 mi / 0.5 km)
Hot places to visit
The view you need to see! The Grand Canyon – they should have sent a poet.
Beautiful scenic
Beautiful Grand Canyon
Why Visit Stephen Tyng Mather Memorial
A bronze plaque on the South Rim honors Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the National Park Service whose advocacy helped secure Grand Canyon’s national-park status.
Highlights
Historic 1930 bronze bas-relief plaque commemorating NPS founder.
Easy 0.2 mi / 0.3 km walk from Visitor Center along the wheelchair-friendly Rim Trail.
Panoramic canyon vistas at nearby Mather Point, perfect for photos.
Description
Set beside the Rim Trail near Mather Point, this modest monument pays tribute to Stephen Tyng Mather (1867–1930). As the first director of the National Park Service, Mather championed the 1919 designation of Grand Canyon National Park and shaped policies that protect it today. Installed in 1932, the bronze plaque bears his likeness and a moving inscription, reminding visitors that the canyon’s preservation is tied to his vision. Benches and interpretive signs nearby invite a quiet pause before or after enjoying the sweeping South Rim viewpoints.
History
1917
Mather appointed first director of the newly created National Park Service.
1919
Grand Canyon becomes a national park under his leadership.
1929
Mather retires due to ill health.
1930
Stephen Tyng Mather dies on 22 January.
1932
Bronze memorial plaque installed along the South Rim.
2019
Plaque marks 100 years of Grand Canyon National Park.
Features
Bronze bas-relief plaque with interpretive text
Paved, wheelchair-accessible Rim Trail
Benches and railings
Nearby restrooms, water-bottle filling stations and shuttle stops at Visitor Center
Panoramic viewpoints (Mather Point & Yavapai Point)
Getting There
Park in Lots 1–4 at Grand Canyon Visitor Center, then walk 0.2 mi / 0.3 km west on the Rim Trail.
Insider Tips
Local advice to help you make the most of your visit.
01Good to know
Allow 10
15 minutes to read the plaque and take photos before continuing to Mather Point or the Yavapai Geology Museum.
02Be prepared
Combine with a sunrise visit or an easy stroll on the Rim Trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Stephen Tyng Mather?
He was the first director of the National Park Service (1917–1929) and a key advocate for Grand Canyon National Park.
Where is the memorial located?
Along the South Rim’s Rim Trail, a short walk west of the Visitor Center near Mather Point.
Do I need a ticket to see it?
No. The memorial is free; only the park entrance fee applies.
Is the site wheelchair-accessible?
Yes. The Rim Trail here is paved and level.
How long should I plan to stay?
Most visitors spend 10–15 minutes before moving on to nearby viewpoints.
Can I visit after dark?
Yes, the area is open 24 hours, though lighting is limited—bring a flashlight.
Is there interpretive signage?
The bronze plaque includes an inscription; additional interpretive panels are nearby.
Are pets allowed?
Leashed pets are permitted on the Rim Trail but not below the rim.
What is written on the plaque?
It ends with the line “There will never come an end to the good that he has done.”
Is parking available close by?
Free parking is available at the Visitor Center lots about 0.2 mi away.
