Why you need to visit Grand Canyon West.

A day in the Desert: Grand Canyon West

Located in the northwestern region of the state of Arizona and roughly 2.5 hours southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada makes this a perfect day trip.

Thousands of people visit the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona every year. Located on the South Rim of the canyon, the national park is the main gateway into the Canyon, and most people often experience it from there. However, did you know there is another area you can visit named Grand Canyon West?

What is Grand Canyon West?

The Grand Canyon West is another gateway into the magnificence of one of Mother Nature’s best works. It is not part of the national park and is largely undeveloped. Although visitor attendance has been growing, the site is relatively untouched. What does that mean?

Located inside the Hualapai Indian Reservation, an actual native American reservation, the Grand Canyon West is the westernmost geographical section of the Canyon.

Being inside an active reservation requires that you respect the land, which is sacred to the tribe. The Hualapai also maintains and operates the area.

If you have never been to the Grand Canyon National Park or the Grand Canyon West, understand that both are different experiences. And visiting one does not show you everything the Canyon has to offer. If you do not care for any of the attractions and only want to see them once in your lifetime, then it doesn’t matter. But if you are anything like me, I like to explore, see, and do everything I can wherever I go.

Hours of operation and tickets

Grand Canyon West is open daily from 9 am- 5 pm. They have different packages you can purchase at the Welcome Center in order to make it inside. For $ 45 USD, you get a basic general admission ticket, which is necessary in order to enter the grounds. This purchase also includes transportation via shuttle to and from the two main viewpoints. Guano Point and Eagle Point.

The viewpoints are far from each other, so you must take the shuttle; walking isn’t an option. Remember, you are in the desert after all, plus this is a wildlife area in addition to it being a sacred site.

If you are looking for other attractions, I suggest you get the bundles, which can include meal plans, ziplining, and access to the Skywalk. More on that later

If you are looking to stay overnight, the West Rim has cabins available. You will get one complimentary general admission ticket if you stay at the cabins.

Two Viewpoints

As mentioned previously, Grand Canyon West is comprised of three areas: the welcome center(or arrival area), the Guano Point, and the Eagle Point. All are connected by shuttle buses.

The welcome center is the hub of the area, you can find a gift shop, a restaurant, restrooms, and of course the bus area which you need to go to in order to visit the viewpoints. Ziplining and aerial tour info can be found here as well.

Of note, all three areas have restrooms.

Eagle Point

Eagle Point has the most to do in GCW(Grand Canyon West). There is a native American village here, gift shops, and a small amphitheater where you can sometimes catch the tribe doing musicals, dances, or “shows.” Unfortunately, none were happening on the day I went. Also on site is the aforementioned Eagle Point, named for the natural formation of an Eagle in the canyon’s rocks. And, of course, Skywalk is here.

Guano Point

Out of the three Guano Point is the furthest and least developed, being the furthest makes it a prime location for taking better pics since crowds will be less, but only so slightly. It’s called Guano Point because this area is due to the former Guano mine that was in the area. You can still see the remnants of a historic tram from the 1930s.

Don’t forget to visit Guano Cafe(it was closed when I visited, but looking at the menu, it seemed like a good place to refresh while you take in the views of the canyon in front of you. Be careful if you do the small hike, as there are no guard rails. Not even a doctor can bring you back from a misstep here.

If you have children, I strongly suggest you don’t do it.

For more photos of Grand Canyon West, visit my related post.

Grand Canyon Skywalk, oh my!!

I didn’t know of the Skywalk until my wife mentioned it one day, something she said she wanted to do. The Skywalk is essentially an open-air extended balcony 3000ft above the canyon floor, where the floor is also made out of glass. In order to visit the Skywalk, you have to place everything you have inside a locker, including a camera. Anything that can cause a knick in the glass must be stored away, or you ain’t going nowhere.

After you pass the metal detectors you have to wear some shoe covers for the safety of the glass. At that point, you can either go straight outside onto the balcony or get in a “rather long” line to get your picture professionally taken by someone.

So, in the name of love, I put on my brave pants and did it. And boy, was I scared S***less!!. You are high above the canyon floor, and vertigo struck me for half a minute, yet walking away from the Skywalk alive was a thought-starter for me. I thought to myself, “This is what living is.” Definitely out of my comfort zone, yet exhilarating in more ways than one. I have never felt so alive in such a short time span.

Unfortunately, I must admit that a visit to Grand Canyon West is not complete without doing the Skywalk.

Visiting Gran Canyon West – Summary

I did not know that there was a Grand Canyon West until a few years back when I was planning a trip to the canyon and found out about Grand Canyon West. I will confess I have never been to the far more popular Grand Canyon National Park in the South Rim, something I will do in the future. So, seeing the Grand Canyon this way for the first time was absolutely memorable for me. Ever since I was a young kid I always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon, and here I was making it come true.

The journey to the canyon, which started from Las Vegas, took me through the desert, a few shanty towns, and Joshua trees forests amongst the magnificent landscape to eventually reach the edge of the canyon. What an adventurous and inspiring journey that was to me. As a small child, I was very excited to be on my way to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is an amazing feat of nature. And seeing it for the first time was like a dream come true.

I now look forward to my future trip to the South Rim(and perhaps the North Rim) to further experience what the canyon has to offer. And believe me when I say this: there is no mistake in using the word ” Grand ” here. See the west side of the Canyon; you won’t be disappointed. It’s a full-day trip at most, yet you still need to visit the Grand Canyon West.

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