It can be hard to find an amazing vacation spot with the views to match the fun. One that really seems to grab people’s attention is the Grand Canyon with the Skywalk Glass Bridge. The Skywalk is a very popular attraction for Arizona natives and tourists alike.
It is definitely an understatement to say that the Skywalk is a once in a lifetime experience. Continue reading to discover more about the awesome experiences you have when you make this trip. Here’s another article on the best time of year to visit the Grand Canyon.
7 Reasons Why the Skywalk is Worth It
The Grand Canyon is beautiful enough, but the Skywalk can take it to the next level. But, you don’t just have to trust us telling you it’s worth a visit! Let’s go over the 7 biggest reasons you’ll want to stop by.
The Incredible View
The thought of being able to hover over the enormous depths of the canyons seem impossible without a helicopter. Luckily, the Skywalk grants you the opportunity to do just that while being firmly planted on the ground.
The Skywalk is a U-shaped, 10 feet wide glass bridge that extends 70 feet out over the edge and towers 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon! Since the bridge is glass, it seems as though you are walking on air right over the top one of the most amazing natural parks in the world.
Even if you have a horrible fear of heights, you will still be able to experience the thrill of being so high in the air—without actually being in some sort of aircraft, which can be nerve-wracking for anyone!
Getting a view like this without having to put yourself in a dangerous situation is worth it!
Traditional Native American Performances
Like any amazing sight at a national park, you are going to have to wait in a line. Thousands of people are just as excited as you are to have that one-of-a-kind view of the Grand Canyon.
Do not let that hinder you from making your trip, though, because while you are waiting you will witness traditional Native American songs and dances.
The Skywalk is owned by the Hualapai Tribe and is located on tribal lands. Not only do you get an amazing and historical performance while you wait, but you also get to know that your money is being spent on helping the Hualapai Tribe preserve their culture!
The performance by the Hualapai tribe members is absolutely a huge plus as to why the Skywalk is worth the visit. Being able to experience other people’s culture and traditions is always enlightening and interesting.
The Clearest Glass Bridge
There are places all over the world that have breathtaking skywalks that you can experience. One of the reasons the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon stands out is because of the precautions that are taken to keep the glass bridge free of scratches and scuffs.
Before you are able to go out onto the Skywalk, you must first leave all of your personal belongings locked up in a free locker. This is to protect the glass from getting scratched by anything that you could possibly drop onto it.
After that, you will be provided with shoe covers.The shoe covers will keep your shoes from tracking extra dirt onto the bridge and prevent scuff marks that shoes typically make.
All of these necessary steps are taken to ensure that the glass stays perfectly clear to give you the illusion of walking on air!
The Skywalk is in a Historic Setting
The Skywalk is located on the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, not actually inside of the national park. Hualapai, meaning “People of the Tall Pines,” have been around the southwest area of the United States for ages.
So, when you are at the Skywalk, you are walking on the land that the tribe has been on for many years. The earth beneath your feet is literally filled with memories of all the ancient peoples who walked there before you. For many people, seeing the Grand Canyon is almost a religious experience. Doing so in a place so steeped in ancient traditions only heightens that sense.
The tribe members dress very traditional, and you can observe their songs, dances, and clothing that have been passed down through the generations from their ancestors.
The World’s Highest Man-Made Structure
Not only are you walking on historic and blessed Hualapai grounds when you go to the Skywalk, but you are also walking onto the world’s highest man-made structure at a staggering 2,300 feet.
This height is double the world’s tallest skyscraper. It has even been estimated that it would take about 15 seconds for something to free-fall from the edge to the canyon floor.
The Skywalk is a really great opportunity to be a part of as much history as you can all in one day!
The Close Proximity to Las Vegas
Even though you may think that this reason is irrelevant, a great reason to visit the Skywalk is because of how close it is to Las Vegas.
Since it is located at the West Rim, the drive from the Skywalk to Las Vegas is only about 2 hours.
This would be a great opportunity for people who live in the city to get out for a day and experience breath-taking scenery along with adrenaline rush of walking over a glass bridge that is extremely high up.
For the people who are not even from Las Vegas, this is their chance to have a full day and night of extraordinary experiences. You could easily go to both places all in one day.
The Money Made Goes to a Good Cause
Helping people in need is never a bad idea. There is really nothing that gives you a better feeling than knowing that you are doing what you can to improve other people’s quality of life.
Before the Skywalk was built, almost 1,000 of 2,000 Hualapai members were suffering from alcoholism, unemployment, and lack of resources and opportunities within their communities.
That was when Hualapai Tribe Council member Robert Bravo decided to go on with the plan of constructing the Skywalk with the help of an architect named David Jin.
Since the Hualapai Tribe owns the Skywalk, all of the money earned from tourists goes directly to the people of the tribe in order to better their lives.
Can you Take Pictures on the Skywalk?
Visiting a unique location like the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon calls for tons of photos. Not only do you want to remember that experience for the rest of your life, but also, sharing the photos with friends and loved ones is essential.
So, can you take pictures on the Skywalk? You are not allowed to have any cameras or cellphones on the Skywalk. Fortunately, you can pay to have your photos professionally taken while out on the Skywalk.
All of your personal belongings will have to put away in a locker for your time out on the skywalk. This to help protect the glass bridge from being scratched or dinged by anything that you could drop on it.
It also leaves you with no opportunity to lose your precious camera or phone by dropping it over the railing, which also protects the environment from accidental litter.
Even though you will have to pay a few extra bucks, it is still pretty neat that you can get professional photos taken at such an incredible place!
Are There Other Things to do at the Skywalk?
You may be wondering if there are any other activities that you can get into after you are finished with the incredible skywalk. The answer is yes! There is so much to do at Grand Canyon West where the Skywalk is located.
Zip Line
For any thrill seeker out there, this zip line will be the activity for you. If you want to feel as though you are flying over the canyon, you should consider looking more into it.
The Grand Canyon West zip line has two courses with the second tower being slightly sleeper then the first. You will start your zip line adventure at a storefront in the Hualapai Ranch. Once you are weighed, you are then fitted with a harness and helmet.
After that, you enjoy your first exciting zip line ride that will last roughly 35 seconds. Then you get to take your second trip down the second tower, which is taller than the first and takes 50 more seconds, as well.
Helicopter Tours
If you are looking for that amazing eagle eye view of the Grand Canyon, you should consider taking a helicopter tour at Grand Canyon West.
Grand Canyon West is one of the few places in the Grand Canyon where helicopter pilots are allowed to fly below the rim of the canyon. It is completed prohibited inside the national park.
Helicopters are not hard to find here at Grand Canyon West!
Horseback Rides
In Grand Canyon West, you will experience the Hualapai Ranch, where they have a multitude of things for tourists to experience and enjoy.
One of those things you can experience is a horseback ride. The ride can last anywhere from 10 minutes, just walking around the horse pen, or it can take as long 90 minutes on a trail ride.
It is important to note that you have to be older than 7 if you would like to go on a horseback ride and cannot weigh more than 250 pounds.
There is no need to fear if you have never been on a horse before and would love to try it out. The experienced horse handlers make it a breeze, ensuring that you and the horse are comfortable for the ride!
River Rafting
Along with all of the other amazing activities that you can experience at Grand Canyon West, there is also Colorado River Rafting.
There are one and two-day trips that you can choose from and include a helicopter flight out of the canyon. The raft trip is 21 miles down the Colorado River, usually taking about 3 hours to complete.
This is also an activity that has a certain season when it is available, which is March 15 to October 31.
Eagle Point
Eagle Point is a sight at Grand Canyon West that is located near the Skywalk. It is truly a sight to see.
Eagle Point gets its name from appearing to look like an eagle with outstretched wings. What makes this attraction even more amazing is that it is a completely natural rock formation that has been carved by wind and water erosion for many years.
This view is more frightening than the Skywalk. The border of this natural wonder has no railing or safety guards to ensure that you do not fall off the canyon edge.
While many like to test themselves and creep out to the edge, you should be very careful because one wrong step could cause you to fall off of the edge.
Guano Point
Guano Point is said to offer the best view at Grand Canyon West. It was named for an attempt in the 1900s to mine bat guano. Many of the structures from this still remain today.
Guano Point is at the tip of a small peninsula in the canyon. After you walk over the land bridge, you will be able to take in the stunning views like the Colorado River and layered ridges throughout the canyon floor.
Hualapai Ranch
Hualapai Ranch located at Grand Canyon West was built as a sight-seeing attraction that resembles a frontier town. There are many things that you can participate in and enjoy while you are here.
The Hualapai Ranch includes:
- A restaurant
- Gift Shop
- “Saloon” that serves ice cream, coffee, and smoothies
The Ranch also has a mechanical bull, quick-draw contest, and rope a steer, which is fake.
Perhaps one of a tourist favorite things about the Hualapai Ranch is that there is a free sleight of hand show! Illusionist Mark Crowe performs close up tricks that are available for free just as you are walking by.
It is said that it is obvious that Mark Crowe is deeply passionate about his illusionist career and it shows in his incredible performances! You do not want to miss out on this fascinating show.
Native American Village
While at Grand Canyon West, since you are located on tribal grounds, it would really be a great opportunity to learn as much about the tribe’s history and culture as you possibly can.
In Grand Canyon West, there is a path you can follow to get to the Native American Village. It has structures representing several Southwestern tribes, including Navajo, Hopi, and Havasupai. You are free to check out all of the structures, just remember to be respectful, always.
Close to the structures, a stage is present where traditional songs and dance are performed. It is recommended to ask as many questions as you would like to the Native American performers.
Not only is a good way to learn new things, but also show that you are interested in their culture.
Conclusion
Going to the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon is an amazing and unforgettable experience. After reading this article, you learned the top 7 reasons why the Skywalk is worth the trip.
Here are 7 reasons why the Skywalk is worth it:
- The incredible view of the Grand Canyon is like no other.
- Traditional Native American songs and dances are performed in the amphitheater.
- It is the clearest glass bridge.
- The Skywalk is located on historical grounds.
- It is the world’s highest man-made structure.
- It is only a two-hour drive to Las Vegas.
- All of the money made from visitors goes to the Hualapai Tribe.
The views, the culture, the glass bridge- The list could go on forever. The Skywalk grants you the unique experience of walking out away from the edge and making it appear as though you are walking on air.
Since the glass is so clean, it really does feel that way when you look down. There are no scratches to hinder your view.
There is also such a huge variety of things to do when you go to the Skywalk. You can go on dare-devil thrill rides or just walk around the Hualapai Ranch and experience the Native American culture, while also eating some delicious food!
So, if you’re still considering whether you want to go to the Skywalk or not, go for it! The experience is well worth the trip and money that will be spent.
It is not something you want to miss out on. Having those memories to hold dear to your heart for the rest of your life makes the Skywalk worth it.
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