The Skywalk is located at Grand Canyon West, a facility of tourist attractions managed by the Hualapai Tribe. Here visitors can walk out 70 feet beyond the edge of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon onto a glass platform. The Skywalk’s location right at the rim of the Grand Canyon is approximately 4,700 feet high, while the drop directly below the Skywalk measures (at its most vertical) some 800 feet—all of which adds up to make the views available from the Skywalk part of a one-of-a-kind experience!
Grand Canyon West Skywalk History and Background
The Skywalk at Grand Canyon West is operated by the Hualapai Tribe. The Hualapai people have inhabited significant portions of the Southwestern United States for many, many generations. In 1883, approximately 1-million acres ranging across the northwest corner of Arizona were set aside to serve as the basis of the Hualapai Reservation. Today the tribal headquarters are housed in the small town of Peach Springs, Arizona, where the Hualapai own and manage a variety of tourist-friendly properties, including a hotel, restaurant, and souvenir shop.
The Hualapai Tribe also own and operate Grand Canyon West. This remote area is most known for its remarkable Skywalk attraction. The Skywalk was opened to the public in 2007, and has been a highlight for visitors to Grand Canyon West ever since.
What’s at the Grand Canyon West Skywalk
The Skywalk at Eagle Point is an architectural marvel that provides visitors with the chance to feel as though they are actually floating in the space directly above the Grand Canyon. The variety of photographic angles available from this special vantage point is nearly unparalleled. And, as the Skywalk was masterfully designed to withstand the weight and stress of a whopping seventy 747 airplanes, even those visitors terrified of heights have nothing to worry about!
Visitors to the Skywalk will find a number of amenities nearby at Grand Canyon West. The primary restaurant here is Sa’ Nyu Wa. This elegant restaurant serves a fusion of Southwest and Asian cuisines in a spectacular setting featuring floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the Grand Canyon. Other on-site dining options include the Skywalk Café, which serves a variety of breakfast and lunch items; and several different Eagle Point snack-stations. You will also find nearby a gift shop, which sells an assortment of souvenir t-shirts and hats, as well as a selection of handmade tribal jewelry and weavings; and a model Native American Village through which you can take a self-guided walking tour.
Getting to Grand Canyon West takes some planning, as it is a relatively remote location. The nearest major city is Las Vegas, located approximately 120 miles to the west; while Grand Canyon National Park is nearly 250 miles to the east. Because of the significant distances involved, many tourists to Grand Canyon West choose to make their visits part of a guided tour/package.
Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon West Skywalk
- The Skywalk at Eagle Point is a safe and fun attraction, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience the Grand Canyon in a very unique way. However, please keep in mind that, if you are afraid of heights, this is NOT the attraction for you!
- There is a limited area you can walk nearby the Skywalk—this way you can get a great photograph of your friends or family perched above the Canyon from a different, neat perspective.
- Grand Canyon West frequently hosts live performances by musicians and crafts-makers nearby the Skywalk. If you are interested in these fun presentations, make sure to check the Grand Canyon West website ahead of time for the most up-to-date schedule information.