Grand Canyon Skywalk: How to Visit
Travel tips for getting to Arizona's Skywalk at Grand Canyon West
Arizona's exciting new Grand Canyon Skywalk lies in a remote western area on Native American land. Many visitors are asking "how do I get there?" and "what does it cost?"
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the top new visitor attraction in Arizona and the Southwest. But many people don't realize that it's far away from the popular South Rim section of the national park. In fact, it's closer to Las Vegas than to northern Arizona's main cities.
There are three points of access to the Grand Canyon: the South Rim, which receives the most visitors; the North Rim, which is closed in winter; and Grand Canyon West, where the Skywalk is located. This western entrance lies on land belonging to the Hualapai Nation. It is some 242 miles away from the South Rim's visitor center – a distance nearly as long as the canyon itself.
Getting There from Las Vegas
Grand Canyon West is 120 miles east of Las Vegas. As the closest entrance to the canyon, it has long been a popular day-trip destination. The easiest way to visit is with one of the many tour companies who organize bus tours from the city. These excursions include transportation and entrance fees.
Other companies offer helicopter tours. Because it lies on private land, Grand Canyon West is the only place where you can take a helicopter ride right down into the canyon itself.
If you're driving yourself, make sure you have or rent a high-clearance SUV or 4-wheel-drive vehicle. The last 14 miles of Diamond Bar Road are unpaved and can be very rough on small cars. Rain can also make this road impassable, so it's wise to call ahead and check conditions. The road is not suitable for RVs.
Another option is to park at the Welcome Center at Dolan Springs. From there you can take the Park and Ride coach service on to the canyon and spare your car the roughest part of the drive. It costs $10 per person. Call 877-716-WEST (9378) for reservations or email reservations@destinationgrandcanyon.com.
It takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive from Las Vegas. Take US 93 south towards Phoenix for 32 miles. Cross the Hoover Dam and continue south for another 40 miles to Pierce Ferry Road. Turn left and follow it north for 28 miles. Turn right on Diamond Bar Road, which ends after 21 miles at Grand Canyon West Airport. This is the only entrance to the area. Parking is free.
Getting There from Flagstaff
Flagstaff is Arizona's closest city to the Skywalk. The 216-mile drive takes just under 4 hours. Take I-40 west to Kingman, 146 miles away. Then follow Stockton Hill Road north for 42 miles. Turn right onto Pierce Ferry Road for 7 miles until you reach Diamond Bar Road. Turn right for 21 miles as above to reach the canyon.
For directions from other cities in Arizona, Nevada, California and Utah, click here.
Visiting the Skywalk
To enter Grand Canyon West, you must purchase an entrance package which includes your visitation permit, Hualapai-led tours and activities. Depending on the package, these can include Hummer tours, wagon rides, cultural performances and visits to the Indian Village.
The Skywalk fee is currently $29.95 and can be purchased as an add-on to several of the packages, which start at $29.95. So the Skywalk can be viewed for about $60 per person. When the new visitor center and museum complex is complete, the Skywalk visit will cost $49 in addition to a package.
Only 120 people are allowed on the Skywalk at a time, and access is first-come, first-served for walk-up visitors. Reservations can also be made.
For more information about the Skywalk, click here.
For more information on activities and packages at Grand Canyon West, click here.
For nearby hotels and motels at Kingman, AZ click here.
