Grand Canyon West Rim

About the West Rim

The West Rim of the Grand Canyon has become increasingly popular among Grand Canyon tourists since the 2007 grand opening of the 4,000 foot high glass Grand Canyon Skywalk and surrounding attractions. This cantilevered glass-bottomed bridge is just 3 hours from Las Vegas and stretches out 70 feet over the Canyon rim, making it a thrilling destination for adrenaline seekers, Las Vegas daytrippers and regular folks alike. While not a part of Grand Canyon National Park, the West Rim's visitors still experience stunning vistas, the Skywalk, Guano Point, and Indian Village, all points of pride for the West Rim's operators, the Hualapai Native American Tribe.

When is the best time to visit the West Rim?

The Grand Canyon West Rim's elevation, at 4,800 feet above sea level, is right between that of desert Las Vegas and the lofty plateau of the South Rim. It stands to reason, then, that visitors generally experience temperate weather year-round; although summer temperatures can climb to 100 degrees F. The West Rim isn't subject to extreme winter snow conditions like the South and North Rims. The West Rim is open to the public year-round and daily from dawn til dusk. Although the West Rim of the Grand Canyon is typically less crowded than the South Rim, one can expect a swell of visitors each day between 11am and 2pm.

West Rim Hotels & Lodging

The West Rim, while conveniently located just 120 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada, is in a remote part of northwestern Arizona, with few developed comforts in the area. The West Rim does feature overnight accommodations nearby; Hualapai Ranch and Hualapai Ranch are operated by the Tribe. The Hualapai Ranch is inside the West Rim recreation area, while the Lodge is approximately 90 minutes from the West Rim in Peach Springs, AZ on historic Route 66. A third option is the Grand Canyon West Ranch, just 2 miles outside the West Rim on Diamond Bar Ranch Road. This working cattle ranch offers pine cabins, western entertainment, helicopter flights, and horseback rides. The Hualapai have preserved this remote part of Arizona, providing lodging and dining that meet our creature comforts, but not taking away from the beauty that is the Grand Canyon West Rim.

Truth be told, most Grand Canyon West Rim visitors are daytrippers who choose to book their overnight accommodations in Las Vegas, NV - just a 2-hour drive from this western-most Grand Canyon point of interest. One can easily drive themselves or take a bus or coach tour from Las Vegas and see the West Rim in 8 hours round-trip, or even half that time on a helicopter or air tour from Las Vegas.


Things to Do on the West Rim

There are dozens of ways to see the West Rim, and this is the only place in Grand Canyon National Park where you can experience a helicopter landing on the Canyon floor. There is easily a half-day's worth of activities available. Walk the Skywalk, marvel at the views from Guano Point and Eagle Point; all accessible by a hop-on-hop-off shuttle included in the price of admission to Grand Canyon West.

Price of admission

The Hualapai Nation offers visitors flexible admission packages to the Grand Canyon Skywalk with optional helicopter tours, boating trips on the Colorado River below, entertainment, dining and more.

Remember, the West Rim is not inside the Grand Canyon National Park. It is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe; the Hualapai collect fees for entrance to the West Rim.

At the very least, each person is required to purchase the Legacy Package, priced at $43.05 (including all taxes and fees) per adult.

The basic package and every other upgraded package includes the hop-on-hop-off shuttle, other attractions like Hualapai Ranch, Eagle Point, Guano Point, Native American demonstrations and cowboy performances at three viewpoints Hualapai visitation certificate, and photo opportunities with Hualapai members.

No private vehicles are permitted past the Grand Canyon West entrance. You must park your car at the Grand Canyon West Welcome Center.  You can then use the park-and-ride shuttle service to get to the West Rim attractions for an additional fee of $15 cash, payable to the shuttle driver.

Once you arrive at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, you'll have the opportunity to meet with a tour operator and select a tour package.

The packages are priced as follows:

The Legacy Package - $43.05 per adult inclusive of taxes and fees: This basic entry package is the minimum required package.  Children ages 4 to 11* are less expensive than adults but specific children's prices are not posted on the Grand Canyon West website. Call 1-888-868-WEST(9378) or 928-769-2230 to make your reservation. This Legacy package DOES NOT include walking on the Skywalk.

*Children must be at least 4 years old to walk on the Skywalk.

The basic package and every other upgraded package includes the park-and-ride hop-on-hop-off shuttle, other attractions like Hualapai Ranch, Eagle Point, Guano Point, Native American demonstrations and cowboy performances at three viewpoints Hualapai visitation certificate, and photo opportunities with Hualapai members.

The Legacy Silver Package - $56.65 per adult inclusive of taxes and fees: Along with the basic inclusions above, the Legacy Silver Package also includes a meal at your choice of three viewpoints - Guano Point, Eagle Point or Hualapai Ranch and a $5 gift certificate toward any $25 gift shop purchase. Children's prices are not posted on the Grand Canyon West website.

The Legacy Gold Package - $87.69 per adult inclusive of taxes and fees:  This is the least expensive packages that includes tickets to walk on the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Includes everything in the Legacy and Legacy Silver packages with the addition of an adult Skywalk ticket. Children's prices are not posted on the Grand Canyon West website.

Additional Add-Ons are available at any level, including helicopter rides that land at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, pontoon boat rides down the Colorado River, horseback rides and overnight lodging packages and upgrades.

Getting There

You can drive yourself to the Grand Canyon West entrance. Be prepared for the 10 mile unpaved, graded yet bumpy drive on Diamond Bar Road as you approach the Grand Canyon West airport.  You will be directed to park your car at the airport and ride the hop-on-hop-off shuttle, included in the base tour package price of ~$43/per person.  More information about pricing and tour packages below.

If you don't want to drive the unpaved portion of the road, you can take a shuttle service from Meadview, AZ. The Park and Ride shuttle is $15 per person round trip. If you are interested in this service please contact (702) 260-6506 to make your reservation. This shuttle departs from Sky Station in Meadview, AZ and returns to Sky Station at the times indicated below (passengers must return on the bus they came on):
Depart 8:30 return 1:30
Depart 9:30 return 2:30
Depart 10:30 return 3:30-4:00

Driving Directions to the Grand Canyon West Rim and Skywalk

Click here for West Rim driving directions from Las Vegas, the South Rim, Sedona & more.