Is The Grand Canyon Skywalk Worth It? (2024 Review)

I write about things I love to do in Las Vegas. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, which helps to support my work. Learn more

Are you thinking about going on the Grand Canyon Skywalk? But you’re wondering if it’s worth your time and money?

In this past year, I’ve been on it three times. And for me, it’s definitely worth it. But today, I want to help you decide if it’s right for you.

So, in this review, I’ll show you what it’s like to be on the bridge. I’ll also cover the cost, wait times, how scary it is, and more!

About The Skywalk

If you’ve never heard of the Skywalk, it’s a U-shaped glass bridge that extends over the edge of the Grand Canyon 70 feet. And when you’re standing on the walkway, you’ll be 4,000 feet high.

Although completely safe, there aren’t any visible beams under your feet. So, when you look through the glass floor, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the bottom of the canyon.

It’s pretty wide at 10 feet across. And there are glass railings all along the sides of the bridge, too. This allows you to see the canyon from all different perspectives and angles.

Video: See What It’s Like

Location

The Skywalk is at the Grand Canyon West Rim on the Hualapai Tribe Indian Reservation. It’s different from the North and South Rim as it’s not part of the Grand Canyon National Park.

If you’re coming from Las Vegas, it’s only about 130 miles away, roughly two hours and 15 minutes.

But even though it’s a short drive, you’ll want to plan on spending almost the entire day here. Every time I’ve gone, it’s at least nine hours round trip.

Hours & Days Open

You can go on the glass bridge every day of the year, weather permitting. It’s currently open from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm (Arizona time).

West Rim Parking

There’s free parking and plenty of it at the Main Terminal. But keep in mind that you won’t be able to drive your car around Grand Canyon West.

Instead, the Hualapai Tribe offers a complimentary bus service to take you to the bridge and other canyon viewpoints. The buses are all very comfortable too and air-conditioned.

Cost

To go on the Skywalk, each person will need two tickets:

• General Admission ticket (to enter Grand Canyon West)
• Skywalk ticket

An Adult General Admission ticket currently starts at $51, and Skywalk tickets are $28. But pricing can vary depending on the day. Also, these bundle packages will save you money over buying the tickets individually.

Rules To Follow

You also need to be aware of the rules to go on the Skywalk. And unfortunately, these limit the personal belongings you can take onto the bridge.

For instance, the following items are prohibited:

• Cameras
• Cell phones
• Food or beverages
• Binoculars
• Purses
• Backpacks

Grand Canyon West has free lockers available for guests, though, so you can safely store your stuff there. And you’ll get a key with a wrist strap so you won’t lose it.

Once your belongings are stored, you’ll go through a metal detector and put on some cloth booties. You can keep your shoes on, but the booties go over the bottom of your shoes to prevent scratches to the glass.

Photo Packages

Although you can’t bring your camera or cell phone onto the skybridge, you can still get your photo taken. And, in my experience, the photographers do a great job!

They spend a lot of time with each group, getting some incredible shots. For instance, they may have you do action poses or lay on the glass panels.

If you want your picture taken, you’ll need to get in the photo line. However, you won’t be able to access this line until you go through the metal detector.

Currently, photo prices start at $17 per print. Or, if you want all of the digital pictures, you can buy a package for $69.

You’ll be able to view your photos once you’re back inside. And, of course, there’s no obligation to buy any of the images either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions visitors often ask about the West Rim Skywalk.

Is The Grand Canyon Skywalk Scary?

The Skywalk is a little scary for me because I’m afraid of heights. So you might want to consider skipping it if you don’t like being up high.

But if you want to try it, one thing that helps me is walking along the edges. It’s only the middle section of the glass that you can see through, as the sides are all opaque.

Staying close to the edges will help to give you a greater sense of security since you can’t see the bottom. And there are handrails there, too, that you can hold on to.

Another thing you can do is not look down. Instead, look at the canyon around you and try to forget where you’re at.

Worst case, if you don’t like being on it, you can quickly walk around it and exit back into the building. You’ll be on it for 15 seconds max, promise!

How Long Does It Take?

The wait time for the Skywalk depends on the day. On the weekends, the line can go all the way back to the Native American canyon village.

So if you are going on the weekend, expect a wait time of 45 to 60 minutes. During the week, you won’t have to stand in line nearly as long. In my experience, it’s usually about 30 minutes or less.

Once you get on the Skywalk, you can stay as long as you want. There isn’t a time limit imposed, but I’d estimate that most people are on it for 10 to 15 minutes.

What Time Of Day Is Best To Visit?

If you’re going on the weekend, it’s best to get in line for the Skywalk as soon as you arrive. And I recommend getting there in the morning for the shortest wait time.

If you can’t make it before noon, look at the line when you arrive. If it’s long, you may want to return in the afternoon. In my experience, the wait only takes a few minutes, around 3 or 4 pm.

Also, if it works with your schedule, go on a Monday through Thursday instead. The line is usually much shorter then.

Is The Skywalk Safe?

Yes, the Skywalk is safe, so there’s no need to be nervous when you’re on it. The bridge can withstand an 8.0 earthquake, winds of 100 mph, and hold seventy-one 747 jets.

But if you’re still not convinced, this engineering video will help:

What Is Good About The Grand Canyon West Skybridge?

Unless you’re going on a helicopter tour, the Skywalk is the only place you can be directly above the Grand Canyon.

With every step you take, you’ll see through to the bottom. And you can stop along the sides and look out from all angles. It’s an incredible sensation, too – it feels like you’re walking on air.

So, you’re not just getting to visit a World’s Natural Wonder; you’re experiencing it from a perspective that many will never have the chance to see.

Why Can’t People Take Pictures?

Unfortunately, you can’t take your camera or cell phone on the Skywalk. And that’s because guests could scratch the glass panels if they were to drop any belongings.

Also, because it’s on tribal land, purchasing photos taken by the Western Rim photographers helps to support the Indian Reservation.

My Skywalk Tips

Below are some of my favorite Skywalk Grand Canyon tips. These suggestions are based on my experiences at the West Rim.

1. Look for Hidden Rock Formations

You can see hidden rock formations in the canyon from the Skywalk. Of course, I missed them the first two times I went, but I finally found them the third time!

So when you first walk on the bridge, look slightly off to the left. You should be able to see a Princess kissing her horse. For me, the easiest way to spot them is to find the princess’s red ponytail.

If you want to know what to look for, here’s a photo I took showing the rock formation:

2. Buy Tickets Online

The second time I went to Grand Canyon West, I waited until I got there to buy tickets and regretted it! After driving all that way, we had to wait 30 minutes in line at the Main Terminal.

So, I recommend buying tickets online, and then, when you get there, you can go straight to the shuttle. This way, you’ll get on the Skywalk as quickly as possible.

There are so many things to see and do at the West Rim, too – like the Helicopter and Boat Tour or the Grand Canyon Zipline. You won’t want to waste a minute standing in an unnecessary ticket line.

3. Get On The Skybridge Faster

From what I’ve seen, most visitors want their photos taken by a photographer. But if you’re willing to forego the pictures, there’s a significant benefit: you can get in the non-photo line for faster entry onto the bridge.

Just keep in mind that you’ll need to wait to get in the non-photo line until you’ve gone through the metal detector. But then you can walk on right after that.

It’s easy to miss where to go, though. Typically, the non-photo line is on the left, and the picture line is on the right.

4. Drink Plenty Of Water

If you’re coming during the spring and summer, drinking water while waiting in line is a good idea. After all, you’re in the desert, and dehydration can set in fast.

Grand Canyon West has benches and shade near the Skywalk building for guests. And although that helps, I’m always still dying of thirst.

So, I suggest getting bottles of water at the Main Terminal. Or inside the Skywalk building, a gift shop sells cold drinks and lattes.

5. See A Similar View Without Buying A Skywalk Ticket

If you don’t want to go on the bridge, there’s another place I’ve found that’ll give you a similar Grand Canyon view.

And that’s to go upstairs to the Sky View Restaurant and request a window seat. There, you’ll see the Grand Canyon from almost the same perspective as being on the Skywalk.

It’s not quite the same because you’re not over the canyon. But the view from the restaurant is impressive. And it’s right on the edge of the rock too. So it’s only a few feet from the glass bridge.

Conclusion: Is It Worth Going?

I’ve been on the Skywalk three times (so far) and have bought a ticket for it each time. I mention this because I want you to know I enjoy going and willingly pay for it.

For me, it’s just an incredible feeling to walk out over the edge of the Grand Canyon and see it from that perspective. And because I’m a big scaredy cat, I get an adrenal rush from it, too!

I’ve seen a few reviews, though, stating it’s expensive and a tourist trap, but I disagree. I think the price is very reasonable for going on a sky bridge, let alone over a World’s Natural Wonder.

I will say, though, that the cost can add up quickly if you want pictures.

So, if you don’t need those, get in the non-photo line instead. Doing that will save you time and money. Or get just one photo to commemorate your visit.

Overall, I recommend going on it – at least once. Just as long as you’re not terrified of heights.

Otherwise, skip it and have a meal at the Sky View Restaurant. Or head to the Highpoint Hike at Guano Point – the views are also phenomenal there!