Experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk
The West Rim offers several exciting Grand Canyon activities that are not available in other areas of the park. Here, you can land on the canyon floor in a helicopter tour, enjoy a boat ride on the Colorado River, visit a Native American cultural center, and explore unique lookout points along the canyon's edge. However, the highest demand attraction located at the West Rim is the Skywalk.
This world-famous bridge features a horseshoe-shaped walkway 10 feet in length and extends an incredible 70 feet past the edge of the canyon wall and features a glass floor, allowing visitors to stand suspended in the air above the canyon floor and the Colorado River below them.
Stepping across the transparent glass floor of the Grand Canyon Skywalk and seeing the ground drop from beneath your feet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for adventurers and sightseers alike. Luckily, you can travel from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Skywalk in a day's time aboard a thrilling helicopter tour to the West Rim!
About the Skywalk Bridge
Construction of the Skywalk
The Skywalk is a true engineering marvel. Its reinforced construction contains 1.2 million pounds of steel and glass drilled nearly 50 feet deep into the Grand Canyon rim bedrock. This makes the Skywalk strong enough to hold seventy fully loaded 747 passenger jets! The bridge floor is constructed from four layers of low-iron glass, offering a perfectly transparent view of the canyon floor and the Colorado River 4,000 feet below. The bridge's U-shape allows visitors to soak in a breathtaking 180-degree view of the canyon expanse.
Construction of the Skywalk took more than four years to complete and cost approximately $30 million. Commissioned and owned by the Hualapai Indian Tribe, the Grand Canyon Skywalk was opened in March of 2007, and surpassed one million visitors by 2015.
How to Visit the Skywalk
The Skywalk is open seven days a week from 9:00am - 5:00 pm, with extended hours in the summer months. Admission fees vary depending on whether you purchase tickets in advance or on the day of your visit. Several helicopter tours from Las Vegas helicopter tours include entry onto the Skywalk in their tour price, as well.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a popular attraction and can be quite busy, especially during peak hours. It is recommended that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.
Tips for Visiting the Skywalk
Visitors should also note that there are restrictions on the type of items that can be taken onto the Grand Canyon Skywalk. No personal items, including bags, cellphones, cameras, food, or beverages, are allowed. Lockers are provided for personal items before stepping out onto the Skywalk glass. In addition, visitors are required to wear special shoe covers before entering the Skywalk, in order to protect the glass from damage and keep it safe for future visitors.
About the Hualapai
The Hualapai people have inhabited the Grand Canyon West and Peach Springs, AZ area for centuries. The Hualapai tribe, a sovereign Indian nation federally recognized since 1883, holds the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River sacred. When visiting the Skywalk, it is important to remember that you are wandering ancient lands and must respect the peaceful nature belonging to these friendly people.
Getting to the Grand Canyon West Rim Skywalk
The Skywalk Bridge is approximately an hour and a half drive from Kingman, Arizona and the distance from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West is just short of two and a half hours.
Of course, you can skip driving altogether and reach the West Rim in less than half the time when you fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West! Helicopter tours and airplane flights depart daily and offer aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Grand Canyon itself. Several tour packages also include entry onto the Skywalk.
Popular Grand Canyon Skywalk Tours & Experiences
Papillon offers sightseeing tours to experience the Grand Canyon West from top to bottom, whether you're flying from Las Vegas or are already at the West Rim. Enjoy unique Grand Canyon tours via helicopter, airplane, boat, and of course - atop the Skywalk Bridge.
West Rim Helicopter Tours
Whether you're a sightseer, photo fiend, or adrenaline junkie, the best way to travel to the Skywalk Bridge from Las Vegas is by helicopter. Along the way, you'll catch sights of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, the Black Mountains, and Grapevine Mesa. A Grand Canyon Skywalk helicopter tour is an adventure all on its own - but even more surprises await when you land at the West Rim. Some helicopter tours from Las Vegas include a canyon floor helicopter landing with a boat ride along the Colorado River, or the option to add entry onto the Skywalk.
West Rim Airplane Tours
One can also fly from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West via airplane. These small aircraft offer passengers headset narration and music, air conditioning, and fantastic aerial views of the surrounding scenery. Capture bird's-eye views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Colorado River, and the Grand Canyon itself before touching down just minutes from the Skywalk. Enjoy free shuttle transportation to two of the most breathtaking lookout points along the canyon's edge or upgrade your flight to include Skywalk entry or a helicopter landing on the bottom with a Colorado River boat ride.
Other West Rim Experiences
The Skywalk Bridge may be a favorite stop for visitors, but it certainly isn't the only activity awaiting you at the Grand Canyon West. Explore stunning viewpoints like Eagle Point and Guano Point or visit Hualapai Point. At this Native American cultural center, you can shop for handmade goods, try authentic Hualapai dishes, and meet and greet Hualapai ambassadors. There's even a zipline, hiking trails, and a shooting gallery!
Visit the Skywalk with Papillon Today!
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters offers daily departures to the Grand Canyon West Rim from both our Boulder City air terminal and our air terminal near the Las Vegas Strip. Our state-of-the-art fleet of helicopters and airplanes re designed specifically for safety, passenger comfort, and sightseeing. Our West Rim helicopter tours can include landings on the very bottom of the canyon, Colorado River boat rides, and Skywalk Bridge entry passes. Book your flight from the Las Vegas area with Papillon today!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Skywalk
Where is the Grand Canyon Skywalk located?
The Skywalk is located at Eagle Point on the West Rim of the Grand Canyon.
How long does it take to do the Grand Canyon Skywalk?
The Grand Canyon Skywalk typically takes around 1-2 hours to complete, depending on the size of your group. Located on the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, it is a great way to experience stunning views of the area. The glass bridge extends 70 feet beyond the canyon's edge and offers 360-degree views across one of nature’s most majestic landscapes.
How long are the lines at the West Rim Skywalk bridge?
The lines at the Grand Canyon Skywalk vary in length depending on the time of day and season. Lines are longest during peak season in June - August.
Never fear! When you book a West Rim Skywalk tour through Papillon you'll receive a complimentary VIP pass to skip the lines at the Skywalk. With Papillon, you'll always beat the crowds.
How much does it cost to go on the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon?
If you are not booking a tour through Papillon, the minimum price to visit the West Rim and experience the world-famous Skywalk is $79.00 per person.
Included in Papillon's world-class Skywalk helicopter, airplane, or bus tours, you'll receive a complimentary pass to the Skywalk. Plus, you'll get to experience incredible views of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Grand Canyon West Rim, and more. That's a price you just can't beat!
The price of each tour of the Skywalk at Grand Canyon is listed online next the the booking location. With Papillon what you see is what you get. Our lowest prices are available online - taxes and fees included!
Why is the Grand Canyon Skywalk famous?
The Grand Canyon Skywalk allows visitors to experience spectacular views of the canyon, with nothing to obstruct the views. The Skywalk is a unique experience, as visitors can walk over the edge of the canyon and look down directly into the depths below.
How much does the Grand Canyon Skywalk cost?
The Grand Canyon Skywalk, located at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, cost a total of $30 million to construct. Designed by the Hualapai Tribe and built by an engineering team led by Beckett & Raeder Inc., the glass-bottom platform is made up of 1.5-inch-thick panels and can hold up to 120 people at once. While access to the skywalk is included in general admission to the Grand Canyon West Rim, visitors must pay an additional fee if they wish to walk on the glass platform. Visitors are also encouraged to take photos from the Skywalk and purchase souvenirs from a nearby gift shop.
What is there to do at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon?
The West Rim of the Grand Canyon offers tons of fun activities and magnificent lookouts.
- Walk along the Grand Canyon Skywalk
- Cruise in a pontoon boat on the Colorado River
- Engage with the local Native American culture at Hualapai Village
- Gaze out at breathtaking lookouts like Guano Point and Eagle Point
- Soar over the West Rim aboard a Papillon helicopter or airplane tour. Bonus: some tours even land on a private plateau 4,000 feet below the Grand Canyon’s rim.
Discover more about the West Rim Grand Canyon.
Are cameras allowed on the Skywalk Bridge?
No - cameras and cellphones are not permitted on the Skywalk Bridge. Visitors will be provided a locker free of charge to store their items before entering the bridge. This is to prevent any kind of damage to the glass panels from accidentally dropping an item. A professional photographer will be present for those interested in purchasing a souvenir photo.