Home > Travel > Info about the Grand Canyon Skywalk – The West Rim

Info about the Grand Canyon Skywalk – The West Rim

February 2nd, 2009

I had promised one of my zealous reader that I would come up with a post giving all the details about our Grand Canyon trip. Well there was a delay in me coming up with the report… better late that never :-)

We had visited the Grand Canyon during the last Thanks giving holidays. In order to avoid the eleventh hour rush, we had booked the tickets for the Skywalk well in advance.

Grand Canyon West is located in the Hualapai reservation in Arizona. Here is the site to book the Grand Canyon Skywalk tickets. There are various options to explore the Grand Canyon West Rim. Travel packages are available for the Skywalk, Skywalk with helicopter ride, helicopter and the pontoon boat ride etc. We chose “The Skywalk Package“. This is the least expensive package which costs about $81 per person.

Here are the Directions to reach the Grand Canyon West Rim – Skywalk from the Las Vegas:

Take US 93 South for about 32 miles to Hoover Dam. Cross Hoover Dam and continue South on US 9 for about 40 miles. Turn left (north) on Pierce Ferry Road and drive for about 28 miles. Turn right (east) on Diamond Bar Road for about 21 miles until you reach the entrance to Grand Canyon West Rim.

view near the Grand Canyon Skywalk - the West Rim

view near the Grand Canyon Skywalk - the West Rim

view near the Grand Canyon Skywalk - the West Rim

view near the Grand Canyon Skywalk - the West Rim

The road to Grand Canyon Skywalk is horrible for a stretch of 14 miles. It’s really scary to drive on this road. Incase you like to spare your car from the rough road; there is an option to park your car at the Welcome Center at the Dolan Springs. From there you can take the Park and Ride coach service on to the Grand Canyon West Rim. It costs $10 per person. For reservations, email reservations@destinationgrandcanyon.com. If you plan to rent a vehicle, then SUV (or any 4-wheel-drive) is a good option.

We are not allowed to take our camera on the Skywalk. But cameras are mounted on the rails of the Skywalk… We have to look for the camera and pose. The snaps can be got at the lounge.

We have to leave all our belongings including purse, handbag, cell phone etc in a locker before we start moving towards the Skywalk. All our items were safe. Do keep some cash in your pocket :-) We had hot chocolate at the Grand Canyon Skywalk, it was worth the money.

Update: I was honored to receive a comment from the marketing department of the Grand Canyon West, Destination Grand Canyon. They had mentioned about a couple of information that I would like to share with my readers. Vegetarian food is now available at all the viewpoints in Grand Canyon West Rim. That’s indeed gr8 news for us the Veggies!! And one more update… no fees for the locker at the Skywalk! Wow…. The locker to store all our items is not only safe but cost free too ;-)

During our entire trip we took rice cooker and rice with us. Am sure parents would find it hard to take pizza and sandwich. It’s better to take chapattis / tortillas incase you have the microwave oven in hotel u stay at. Some suites provide a kitchenette! Do confirm these data before planning your meal.

Make sure that your vehicle has enough fuel as you pass the gas station… coz you may find the next one at least 50 miles away!!

The Grand Canyon West Rim – Skywalk is open through out the year. The timings may vary for the summer and the winter months. It’s better to visit the Grand Canyon during the spring or fall and avoid the scorching heat of the summer.

Do check this out before planning your trip. Grand Canyon West – Skywalk offers unique and wonderful viewpoints of the great Grand canyon. Explore the Grand Canyon… Have a safe and enjoyable tour. Good luck!

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  1. February 3rd, 2009 at 08:06 | #1

    I am in charge of the marketing for Grand Canyon West, my name is Allison. It was good to read about your experience. Since it has been a little while since you went , I thought I would give you an update. All of these personal comments are so important, it is how the destination gets better! There is no charge on the lockers and there are vegetarian options at all of the view points. Hopefully you went to all of the view points that come with the tour. I only read about Skywalk. There is also Guano Point and Hualapai Ranch. Thanks for posting your experience and sharing Grand Canyon West with everyone. Next trip, you should try the One Day White Water Raft trip. Check it out on line. http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com.

    • February 3rd, 2009 at 10:43 | #2

      Hi Allison,

      Thanks a lot for your valuable comments. I have updated the same in my post. We had a greart experience in visiting the Grand Canyon Skywalk – the West Rim. I feel excited to read about the water rafting… expecting to enjoy the ride in near future :-)

  2. Usha Gururajan
    February 3rd, 2009 at 08:56 | #3

    gives all details without hiden secret. A LAYMAN can visit skywalk with details given by.

    • February 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 | #4

      Thanks a lot for the appreciative words. It was a great experience for us to explore one of the Natural Wonders of the World… “The Grand Canyon”!!! Hope my blog helps others in exploring this World’s Natural wonder.

  3. Arjun
    February 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 | #5

    Wow… the views look awesome! Doesn’t look like you have fear of heights as the photos must have been taken really close to the edge to get the full views.

    • February 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 | #6

      He he… yes yes… Kanal kannan madhiri stunt pottu photos yeduthen ;-)
      I was immersed in the beauty of the Grand Canyon that I didnt bother about the height. Ganesha had to drag me from stepping too close to the edge of the canyon :-)

  4. Vivek
    February 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 | #7

    Thank you very much for posting more info on the west rim, skywalk, procedures involved and experiences. I found it very useful! Best of all I see that the contact from destination grand canyon has posted a reply to your blog. That is just super cool ! Nothing like instant feedback on the posts and that too from the people providing the services !

    • February 3rd, 2009 at 12:50 | #8

      Thanks buddy. Hope this blog helps you in planning your Grand Canyon Skywalk visit. Yes I was pleased to receive the comment from the Destination Grand Canyon! Do visit the Guano point, Hualapai ranch and post ur experience regarding the same.

  5. Patrick
    February 4th, 2009 at 18:05 | #9

    Good description about the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Heard that the road to Grand Canyon skywalk is unpaved and driving thru it is a nightmare. Didnt know about the park and ride facility! Thanks for providing this info.

    • February 4th, 2009 at 18:50 | #10

      Glad that you liked the description about the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

  6. Sreeni
    February 4th, 2009 at 18:47 | #11

    Heard about this blog from one of friend. Very informative post about the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Good work…keep it up!

    • February 4th, 2009 at 18:53 | #12

      Hi Sreeni,
      Welcome to my blog. Stay tuned with us!

  7. s.kumaran
    March 21st, 2009 at 14:05 | #13

    excellent information especially the warning of the fuel qty.Was woundering if there were any service station available enroute from las vegag to west rim.looking forward to take a trip to “skywalk” soon.
    thanks

    • March 24th, 2009 at 12:13 | #14

      Thanks for the lovely feedback Kumaran. Am really happy that u found My Scrawls to be useful in planning ur trip. Do stay tuned :)

  8. March 22nd, 2009 at 22:06 | #15

    Hello. Your site is really awesome. Can I use your layout colour on my website?

    • March 24th, 2009 at 12:12 | #16

      Amithi, Thanks for your comments. Glad that u liked My Scrawls. Am using a basic word press theme :) The theme is “Inove”. Do check it out in the word press themes section. Gud luck!

  9. April 6th, 2009 at 09:58 | #17

    we are group of 44 ladies going to skywalk this april 11 from LA california. I talk to Nena there. She booked our tickets and gave me a 10% off for 44 people. Nice lady. I will post my experience too.
    One thing is, As I talked to Nena there at skywalk, she said there’s no more park and ride available for unpaved road to reach hop on-off suttles. Is that true??????? please let me know. My bus guy is also does not wanna go to unpaved road any more. I don’t know what M I gonna do? after i bought tickets with my credit card. Please help me with this.
    and the unpaved road is really that bad? fill me with your detailed experience here, I will appreciate that.
    Bhanu.

    • April 9th, 2009 at 13:07 | #18

      Hi Banu,

      Nice to hear about ur trip. We went to the West rim, Grand Canyon during the last thanks giving holidays. We had the park and ride facility available there. I guess it should be still available. You can check the link that I have provided in the post (regarding the park and ride facility). Do not worry, any SUV or 4 wheel drive vehicle can manage the rough road present there :) Anyways pls avoid traveling on a rainy day. Gud luck and enjoy your trip :) Do share your experience here. Would be really useful for others too :)

  10. Hemal
    April 10th, 2009 at 15:09 | #19

    Hey Anu,
    We are going to Vegas next week. We are going to Sedona, South Rim first but we are planning to go to West Rim for the Skywalk one day from Vegas. My wife is 4 months pregnant and I was thinking of taking a bus + helicopter + boat tour. But I want to ask you is it ok to ride on that unpaved road?

    Please responds ASAP since I am about to book the tour online but I am glad I read this review. We are vegeterain as well so that tip is really helpful.

    • April 10th, 2009 at 16:24 | #20

      Thank you for stopping by. South Rim and Sedona are very good places to see. West Rim is a very nice place to check out but I wouldn’t go there if I am 4 months pregnant. The initial stretch of the road is unpaved for around 14 miles and is very bumpy. Definitely not a great ride for pregnant women. Even with the best 4×4s or shuttles the bumpiness of the road will be felt and it might be harmful to pregnant women. Good luck with your trip and please do share your experiences here after visiting the Great Grand Canyon.

  11. Hemal
    April 10th, 2009 at 21:25 | #21

    Thanks Anu for the prompt reply ! Do you know by chance how is ride once you land on West Rim Airport. I noticed that the offer toue where they fly you from Vegas to West Rim in a plane and after that show you in the shuttle to Skywalk.

    Thanks again for your prompt reply !

    • April 11th, 2009 at 15:57 | #22

      No I have no idea how the ride is from the west rim airport .. :-) . If you do end up taking that option please share it here so that others might find it more informative.

  12. April 15th, 2009 at 15:21 | #23

    Very nice and beautiful Grand Canyon West Rim… Skywalk is just breathless. I jumped on glass and screamed as I landed my feet on it. We went in big bus 47 ladies on 11th April. We had so much fun. It was light rain and cold weather that day. But we saw canyon hiding in clouds. Sleeping dog canyon and eagle point at skywalk were so beautiful. Very Nice view at Guano Point too.
    All over our trip was the best. that rough road is the best ride in bus. We liked it.
    Thanx Bhanu

    • April 15th, 2009 at 15:55 | #24

      Bhanu,

      Thanks for sharing your experience :) Can feel ur happiness! S… Grand Canyon is the nature’s wonder. Wow… happy to hear that u enjoyed the rough road ride too :D Hope u ladies had a nice time! So you didn’t take park and ride facility… Is it still available? If you could share more info here it would benefit others too :)

  13. Sunil Desai
    May 4th, 2009 at 13:13 | #25

    Excellent information.

    I am adding couple things which other people may find useful. Park-And-Ride’s correct phone # is 702-260-6506. The physical address (for driving direction) for bus pick up point is 26250 Pierce Ferry Rd, Meadview, AZ 86444. Per current schedule (May 2009), they have three busses in the morning – 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 AM leaving from above mentioned address for Grand Canyon West entrance. You get about 5 Hours at Grand canyon West before returning to Park-and -Ride center.

    Veggie Food at Grand Canyon West is A plus. We will be there on May 15, 2009.

    • May 4th, 2009 at 14:22 | #26

      Thanks Sunil for providing the latest information regarding Park and ride facility at the Grand Canyon West Rim :) Am sure this would benefit lots of people. Have a safe and enjoyable trip :)

  14. June 14th, 2009 at 20:21 | #27

    Explore Arizona Tours offers a wide selection of adventures. Our hand selected Grand Canyon tours bring you up close and personal with some of the greatest views and vistas in the natural. Whether you take a scenic helicopter tour, hiking tour or a signature one day calm water rafting tour, our tour partners offer the experience, know-how and necessary safety precautions to ensure your trip is safe, educational, and most of all fun!

  15. Mary Jo
    July 16th, 2009 at 18:15 | #28

    Thank you very much for sharing your information and pictures. We will be driving there from the south rim on our way home to Los Angeles, so I am very interested in finding out what options there are to visit Skywalk, and the other points of interest on the West Rim.

  16. Amar
    August 9th, 2009 at 14:18 | #29

    I M visiting West Rim Sky Walk in next week with my Wife.
    Have opted 2 DRIVE in a regular sedan booked 4 my trip 2 Vegas.
    After reading UR info… need UR suggestion whether it is OK.2 DRIVE or better 2 take a BUS
    Appreciate UR response ASAP
    Flying 2 Vegas on Tuesday from NJ

    • August 10th, 2009 at 08:04 | #30

      It’s been more than six months since we went there. However we had a rented sedan, a volvo S60 and drove through the stretch and it was fine. However be careful when you drive and never drive more than 30 miles per hour. Good luck with your trip and please let me know how it went.
      - Anu

  17. Keith
    August 18th, 2009 at 01:27 | #31

    I will rent a sedan to sky walk from LV with my friends. What do I need to do? Where can I park a car? Do I need to reserve any ticket in advance?

    Thank you

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