One of the world’s most amazing natural wonders merges with a miracle of modern engineering at Grand Canyon West. That’s where you’ll find Grand Canyon Skywalk, a stunning structure with incredible views. It’s the centerpiece of an unforgettable all-day outing.
Just a two-hour drive from Las Vegas and conveniently accessible by helicopter, Grand Canyon West is a destination in which the journey is an adventure. It takes you past the world-famous Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, over the astounding O’Callaghan-Tillman arch bridge and deep into the Hualapai Nation. There you’ll encounter gorgeous rock formations, picturesque towns, wild animals and free-roaming cattle. Keep your camera ready for Arizona’s Joshua Tree Forest.
Grand Canyon West offers a variety of activities to make your excursion complete, including Guano Point, where a hike reveals a 360-degree view of the canyon and Colorado river below. You’ll see remnants of an abandoned guano mine and the tram station, part of which still hangs precariously to the treacherous edge. While you’re there, enjoy cultural exhibits, shop for Native American crafts and order lunch with a view at Guano Point Cafe.
A short shuttle ride will take you to Hualapai Ranch, a quaint “mock” Western town. Members of the Hualapai tribe are on hand to share stories and pose for photos. You can learn how to lasso, saddle up for a horse ride, cheer on a rootin’ tootin’ shoot-’em-up or hop onto a mechanical bull.
Retail establishments at Hualapai Ranch include Walapai Trading Post, which stocks everything from cowboy hats to moccasins. The town’s Food Hall serves up freshly cooked grub, then you can wet your whistle at Root Beer Saloon. Weary explorers are encouraged to prop up their boots and spend the night at one of several rustic cabins and suites on the ranch.
No matter what activities you dive into at the western rim, Grand Canyon Skywalk belongs at the top of your must-do list. The Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped glass and steel bridge that extends 70 feet over the edge of the canyon. The bridge is designed for extreme resistance to stress, pressure, weight and wind. It provides never-before-possible views of the vistas, famed Eagle Point rock formation and of course, the Colorado River below.
Stepping out over the 4,000-foot chasm is a surreal experience. Visitors are required to wear shoe covers that protect the glass from unnecessary scratches. The walkway and walls are constantly polished, ensuring a perfect perspective from every angle. Cameras and phones are prohibited, but professional photographers are on hand to preserve your experience.
Grand Canyon Skywalk was proposed in 1996 by entrepreneur David Jin, who received approval from the Hualapai tribe in 2003. Vegas-based engineers, architects and construction firms collaborated on the daring project, which took 11 years from conception to grand opening. Jin joined members of the tribal council for the first walk on March 20, 2007, and the glass bridge has attracted nearly 2 million visitors since.
5001 Diamond Bar Road, Peach Springs, Ariz., opens at 7 a.m. daily, $49-$3,013 plus tax and fee, age and weight restrictions apply. 888.868.9378 or grandcanyonwest.com
