Bootee-clad Skywalkers on opening day
On the Grand Canyon Skywalk, everyone wears bootees (at least they did on opening day), and for the $25 you’ll pay to enjoy this horseshoe walkway that’s been clipped onto the side of the Grand Canyon, that’s a good deal, because the Skywalk experience is priceless…
It’s sort of counter-intuitive that the new must-see attraction in the Grand Canyon is man-made. After all this is one of the great natural wonders of the world, so does it really need $30 million worth of metal and glass to make it more attractive?
Well, yes. That’s the brilliance of the Skywalk: it’s not an attraction in its own right — in fact it blends in so well you could miss seeing it from some angles if you weren’t on the lookout for it — but a sort of magnifying glass for the Canyon itself. Once you’re out there, walking on top of the glass and looking down 4,000 feet to the canyon floor, you’ll forget about the Skywalk and focus on the Canyon itself, which is the whole point. You’re attracted to the Skywalk, but once you’re on it, it’s the Canyon that takes your breath away!
The world's press couldn't stay away
Yesterday’s Opening Ceremony was a big event that drew the entire Hualapai Nation, everyone who’s anyone in Nevada Tourism, big-lens toting photographers from the global media, former and current astronauts, enough security to manage a Rolling Stones show, and a strange and wonderful assortment of Las Vegas locals, some of whom seemed shocked to find themselves out in the daylight, let alone away from the Strip.
And we all enjoyed ourselves, especially when we were allowed out to play on the new equipment. (Note that the Skywalk doesn’t open to the general public until March 28; find out more about Grand Canyon Skywalk Tours.)
My take on the Skywalk? It’s brilliant. Despite the concerns of many, it takes absolutely nothing away from the Canyon, but instead adds a subtle yet powerful new dimension to the Canyon experience that every visitor willing to buy a pair of throw-away bootees for $25 will certainly enjoy. Actually, enjoy doesn’t quite seem like the right word, it’s maybe a little understated, but after the Skywalk experience, I’m at something of a loss for words…
By the way: I wondered if the Skywalk would induce vertigo. It’s a long sheer drop to the bottom, and the glass walkway is the only thing between you and the distant but no doubt merciless rock below. But no, I asked around and it doesn’t seem so. It’s about the most solid structure you can imagine. In fact, after the uneven dirt and gravel of the West Rim, it feels strangely more solid out there than it does on land. Check it out if you doubt me.
One thing to keep in mind — the Skywalk has already (and predictably) become a hugely popular attraction. And with popularity come some challenges. Have a look at our Update on the Skywalk blog post for more information on making the most of a visit to the Skywalk.
You can view more of Rod’s photos of the Grand Canyon Skywalk by clicking the link. The Grand Canyon is a 45-minute helicopter ride or a 2 1/2-hour drive from Las Vegas. Read Rod’s other blog posts about the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:03 am
Thank you for this timely and informative piece, Rod - great photos, too. Glad you enjoyed your trip on Sundance and your experience on the Skywalk. Now I’m even more excited to go!
April 1st, 2007 at 8:34 pm
My husband and I and three friends drove from Las Vegas to see the Skywalk today, the first of April, 2007. The people are very nice but very unprepared for such huge numbers of people. There is a 14-mile stretch of the worst possible dirt road both coming and going out to the site. We were told it was an easy drive when we phoned to get the driving conditions. Not true. And we are sunburnt from standing in long lines in the sun with no water or cover.
April 9th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Hi Ramona. We’ve been hearing similar complaints from a few people who visited the Skywalk. The organization needs improvement, there is no shade, there is no bottled water available, all the sorts of things that can really frustrate visitors.
We’ve been in communication with the people who run the Skywalk, and we’re definitely communicating all the issues we’ve been hearing about. We’ve also made a list of tips for visiting the Skywalk, to make sure people are aware that there are definitely some kinks in the operation.
May 2nd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I was at the Skywalk on April 26th, 2007 and was very dissapointed.
1. The trip to the skywalk was much longer and worse than anticipated. It is located almost 40 miles from the main highway, 14 miles of which is unpaved rocky path through the desert. Our rental car agreement specifically stated that driving to the Skywalk was prohibited and would be fined $250 (we did anyway).
2. We were led to believe the cost of entrance fee was $25, but we’re never told until we arrived that you must purchase the mandatory $50 tour to access the skywalk making it a minimum of $75.
3. You cannot bring your personal cameras, but don’t worry, they’ll gladly take your picture for an additional $20.
4. The site itself looks more like a construction site than a tourist attraction, and the management is atrocious. We were told to park in a ditch along side of the road, were yelled at for walking on the wrong side of a construction fence, but no signage anywhere directed you to the right location and the ticket counters are some PC’s set up on some collapsible tables.
5. The Skywalk is not located at the most beautiful part of the Grand Canyon by any means.
I suggest you research this carefully before you commit to going, if I had known this before I would not have wasted my time or money.
May 2nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Thanks for your comment, Joost.
We’ve heard a number of stories like yours, and it sounds like you’ve been the victim of a shady tour organizer. You should not be required to pay any additional fees, and with the Skywalk tours organized by Viator you will not.
We also agree — do as much research as you can before you go. Have a look at our tours, and compare the fine print with what other sites and operators have. If you book through Viator, you get the low-price guarantee and a trusted provider. And there are no hidden fees with us!
-Scott
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 am
I have been in Grand Canyon last year after a trip to California. I loveed it, especially the violent lightning storms and a tour with an helicopter. Did you know that Grand Canyon grows by 1 cm every 100 years?