Eagle Point and Guano Point are both part of the Hualapai Reservation at Grand Canyon West. They are among some of the best vantage points to view the Grand Canyon from the western perspective, and both offer stunning photographic opportunities. Because this region of the Grand Canyon is privately owned, separate admission fees are required for access (note that access is not included with the fees paid to the National Park Service).
Eagle & Guano Point History and Background
While Eagle Point and Guano Point have provided excellent views to visitors for quite some time, the Hualapai Indian tribe has spent the last ten years or so extensively developing the area with further attractions. The Skywalk opened to visitors 2007, and since that time, additional attractions have been added, like the replica Indian Village (also located at Eagle Point). Visitors may also enjoy the updated Hualapai Ranch, an authentic Indian ranch experience that includes cowboy stories, campfires, and real canyon-facing cabins.
What’s Here: Eagle Point
At Eagle Point you’ll find an authentic Native American village with architecture that reflects the heritage of multiple tribes. There is even an amphitheater where guests can enjoy live musical and dance performances daily, as well as occasional lectures on Hualapai history, culture, and daily life. It’s a must-do part of the Grand Canyon West experience.
Eagle Point is also home to the famed Skywalk, a fabulous glass structure that allows visitors to step out “over” the expanse of the Grand Canyon for a one-of-a-kind perspective on this natural marvel. This attraction is not the faint of heart: guests step out onto a transparent platform 4,000 feet in the air!
Skywalk tickets are required in addition to regular admission prices; these tickets are only included in broader admission packages and are not available separately.
Because no personal items are permitted out on the Skywalk (including cameras or phones), professional photographers will take pictures of visitors out on the Skywalk for a fee.
What’s Here: Guano Point
Guano Point is another significant landmark in Grand Canyon West. Shaped sort of like a pyramid, Guano Point offers some of the most beautiful and wide-ranging views of the Canyon and the Colorado River. Step out to the tip of the point and enjoy nearly 360-degree perspectives.
The nearby Highpoint Hike is slightly rough, but the stellar views available along the trail make it worth the exertion.
History buffs will enjoy the option to explore an old aerial tramway that used to traverse the Canyon to reach a valuable guano mine in the early part of the twentieth century (guano was an important component in fertilizer). The tracks stretch nearly 9,000 feet across the expanse of the canyon, an impressive testament to early twentieth-century engineering. This historic mining operation was notoriously one of the most difficult and expensive mining endeavors in the first half of the twentieth century. The abandoned mine became a tourist attraction as early as the 1970s.
Guests will also be able to take advantage of the Hualapai Buffet – a package meal option that allows visitors to enjoy delicious local cuisine while dining near the edge of the Grand Canyon. It’s a nice opportunity to dine in a unique setting that isn’t available too many other places. Last but not least, don’t forget about the delightful Hualapai Marketplace, a good resource for special souvenirs and Native American crafts and artwork.
Tips for Visiting Eagle & Guano Points
- Both Eagle Point and Guano Point feature local artists and artisans selling their unique wares, although the Hualapai Market itself is located at Guano Point.
- The Highpoint Hike is short and very recommended for visitors who want that perfect picture!
- Visitors typically spend between 1-2 hours at these observation points, although many spend between 3-4 hours at Grand Canyon West as a whole.
- Guests who don’t want to pay for their photograph out on the Skywalk can take photos for free of themselves standing just in front of it.