Grand Canyon
West Rim Hualapai Tribe
The Grand Canyon is considered one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and I can understand why. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles / 446 kilometers long and here on the Grand Canyon West Rim it is 4,000 feet down to the Colorado River. The West Rim is situated on the Hualapai Reservation and is run by the Hualapai Tribe. While you’re visiting it’s important to remember you are on sovereign land. Follow the rules here or simply don’t go if you can’t. Due to the COVID era, temperatures were checked and masks must be worn over your nose and mouth at all times while on the reservation.
Eagle Point - mid day
Eagle Point - sunset-ish
The West Rim is different from all the other entry points of the Grand Canyon. Please be aware that the West Rim entrance is 250-300 miles, depending on your route, from Grand Canyon Village in Grand Canyon National Park. This canyon is HUGE, think about this fact while planning your trip here. Double check your GPS for the correct entry point.
Why The West Rim?
With many entry points to the Grand Canyon you may be asking yourself why this entrance? The short answer, the Skywalk of course. The Hualapai Tribe opened the Skywalk in 2007.
Skywalk
The Skywalk is a five layer, 2.5 inch thick glass horseshoe shaped platform that extends out over the top of the Grand Canyon allowing for an unobstructed view of the canyon floor. It gives the feeling of not standing on anything at all, it feels like you’re floating. If you are afraid of heights this may not be the place for you. The glass is crystal clear and without any scratches. You are given booties to cover your shoes before you are allowed out on the platform.
Skywalk
Once you enter the West Rim you must travel to the visitor center to catch the shuttle that takes you out to Eagle Point (where the Skywalk is) and then on to Guano Point.
The Skywalk was fun and I’m glad to have experienced it. However, for the views, Guano Point is the show stealer. Once you step off the shuttle you are greeted with the superior view of the canyon. Following the unrailed path and climbing up a rock formation you are treated with a 360 degree view of the canyon and the Colorado River down below. Loved it here.
Details
Entrance Fee - $45 per person Skywalk - $23 per person
There are other experiences you can add on if you choose, meals, ziplines, rafting, & helicopter rides. I suggest you purchase your tickets on-line, because the line at the visitor center was HUGE to purchase same day tickets. This is considering you have to stand in a line for the shuttle, then a line for the Skywalk, and then a line for food.
I would allow a minimum of four hours here, if not more, depending on how many experiences you choose to have.
No personal photos may be taken on the Skywalk. You must leave all belongings in a fee locker that’s provided before stepping out onto the platform. They state the reason for this is to eliminate objects from falling to the canyon floor. You have the choice of two lines, one to travel the platform without photos and the other line to have a photographer take photos for you.
Photo Fee - $17 each picture or $69 for all
Watch your step! There are no guardrails along the edges of the canyon. Don’t become a fatality.
If you’re driving, check your gas gauge in Kingman, AZ. You’ll be on a remote reservation, you don’t want to run out of gas because your phone may not have cell service to call for help.
Arizona does NOT observe Daylight Saving Time. Depending on where you are coming from, what time of the year it is or if you’re on a tour bus remember this fact.
Summertime can be extreme here. Best time to visit is fall, winter, or spring.
Travel Time
Phoenix 4.5 hours, Las Vegas 2.5 hours, St. George 4 hours, & Los Angeles 7.5 hours
Was It Worth It?
This is the big question. I say yes, it's totally worth it. This is a tourist attraction with a killer view. Though, like most tourist attractions, the West Rim has a fair amount of people with a fair amount of waiting in lines. The real question should be, would I do it again? Yes, I would do it again. It’s the Skywalk, the Skywalk is so cool.
We paid for this fake selfie, OMG.
“One of the many misconceptions about Native Americans is they all lived in teepees. Visitors to the Grand Canyon West can take a self-guided tour through an authentic Native American village for a view of local and regional tribal heritage and tradition. The Native American Village at Eagle Point lets guests imagine a simpler time when Hualapai, Navajo, Plains, Hopi, Havasupai, and other Indian Tribes roamed the lands. People can stroll through traditionally built housing, ovens, and sweat lodges to see the unique architecture, style, and functionality of each structure and feature.”
