One of the most common questions I get is How much does the Grand Canyon Skywalk cost? the short answer has been $75 per person (originally) but that’s no longer correct. It’s currently $86.81 for one person (after taxes and fees) – parking is free.
OK, so here’s the breakdown:
The Hualapai Legacy Package costs $29.95 per person (plus taxes and fees)
To walk on the Skywalk will cost another $41 each. (check for current pricing)
The Hualapai Legacy Package is the basic entry package to Grand Canyon West. It is a self-guided tour of all points of interest at Grand Canyon West. Included in this package are the live performances, scenic viewpoints, cultural activities, a wagon ride and more. Unlimited use of the Hop-On Hop-Off shuttle is included in this package. Grand Canyon West is privately owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe and requires the purchase of a permit and Legacy Tour package for entry.
Hualapai Legacy Package (no meal, no Skywalk)
$29.95 per person, plus tax, $8 impact fee & $3 fuel surcharge
Prices after taxes and fees: $43.05
Legacy Silver Package (includes meal, no Skywalk)
$41.95 per person, plus tax, $8 impact fee & $3 fuel surcharge
Prices after taxes and fees: $55.83
Legacy Gold Package (includes meal, includes Skywalk)
$70.95 per person, plus tax, $8 impact fee & $3 fuel surcharge
Prices after taxes and fees: $86.81
Now there are some limitations when you walk the Skywalk.
There are no personal items, including cameras allowed on the Skywalk; you will be asked to store them in lockers. You can take photos of the Skywalk from the side, and a photo can be taken of you on the bridge and available for purchase if you choose. However, personal belongings, including cameras, on the bridge are not allowed to protect from dropping items into the canyon or onto the glass
So the big question is; Is it worth it?
Opinion on this is pretty strong but as you can see from these reviews, most people walk away disappointed. No worries, you can see the Skywalk from pictures I took before the ban was in place.
I have to qualify this review by admitting I have NOT walked on the skywalk, or visited Grand Canyon West since the completion of the new Hualupai complex; however, have been to the site several times over the past 7 or 8 years. It is interesting to note that only about 1/3 of the Grand Canyon proper is included in the national park: most of the western portion lies within Indian reservations.
I am surprised the road has not yet been paved! It is passable by just about any vehicle, but has many ruts & is particulaly bad during the rainy season (mid to late summer through early fall). I have stood on the ledge that the skywalk is built upon, and concur the view as such would not be too much different than actually standing on the rim itself. The drop immediately below the skywalk is less than the actual distance to the canyon floor – someone said 800 ft, which seems about right. The bottom of the canyon is the Colorado River, which at this point is wider than in the middle of the canyon in the national park. Lake Mead starts just a few miles past Grand Canyon West, which is why the river is as wide as it is here. The view of the canyon from this vantage point is much different than one experiences along the South Rim of the national park; the canyon is not as deep, as wide, or (in my opinion) nearly as dramatic or picturesque as found from, say Mather Point or Desert View Tower.
There is one more point to consider: an advantage the Indians have here is that they can offer helicoper & air tours of the canyon that allow pilots to actually fly into the canyon, while air tour operators from the South Rim (national park) are limited to flying OVER the canyon, never dropping below the altitude of the rim. For someone looking for this kind of adventure, then the cost for access to the site might be worth the drive and time; otherwise, I think most people would feel ripped off by what amounts to a huge (and expensive) tourist attraction.
To give the Native Americans credit, they did build the complex & need to price their attraction to cover their costs & make a profit. I do not believe their intent was to gouge visitors, but I do question the wisdom of pricing the skywalk so high, especially with the required costs for access: why not offer “free” access to anyone who purchases a ticket for the skywalk? Seems $20 per head would be worth it to most people, & would greatly increase the number of individuals who decide to fork out the bucks for the experience! Not to mention leave more cash for the tour operators, gift shop, etc. Cost for access to the land was $20 per person even before the skywalk, which was steep then. I do not see where that much has been added to the experience to justify the admission fee!
As to the comments about the National Park building hotels & other establishments along the rim “totally destroying the view”… the only “modern” building is the visitor center, and it was built in the early 1970s… all others have been there since the 1920s, and the view is esentially unchanged since then. Outside the park is a different story, and the park is certainly more crowded and impacted than it has ever been… but the view along the rim is as pristine now as anytime in the past 80 years. For most visitors, a trip to the South Rim would leave them filling fullfilled… Grand Canyon West, likely disappointed given the cost and hassle.
Just my two cents worth!
hi, thanks for your valuable comments. I would like to know if,in your opinion,south rim tour is more worth ?
Arizona Traveler, The fact that I drive a new BMW has no relevancy to our experiences at the skywalk. I too am Indian, but from the Cherokee tribe in Oklahoma, and the reason I am able to afford my lifestyle is through education, hard work, and honesty. No one would begrudge someone the ability to work and support their family, but their is also a concept called “Truth in Advertising”. If the ACTUAL price of the visit was reflected accurately in the advertisements for the skywalk, I would feel more respectful of their “need” for income to pay for the structure and betterment of the tribe. Deliberately attempting to entice the public through misleading pricing only leads to my above conclusions. And there is no excuse for vulgar gestures towards anyone, ever! This would be more accurately labeled as “Mean spirited” where I come from. A better pricing structure would result in a lot more revenue for the tribe and would also provide a better sense of pride, thereby avoiding these kinds of comments and negative feelings that apparently lots of people share, as witnessed above. People for the most part just want to be treated fairly and decently, not with hostility and disrespect.
Here Here! Good for you! I could not believe that persons comments about what You Posted!
Glen, nicely stated. Likely one of the reasons you can afford to drive a BMW is that you spend your money wisely and refuse to be ripped off. Hope next year you can have a Rolls too.
Dr. Geo’s comments are the most fair, balanced, and pragmatic of the lot. The folks running this show should simply be up-front about the total costs associated with their attraction. Hidden fees/costs always leave me feeling a bit violated, and I intend to vote with my feet. I’ll see you in the park at one of the many indescribable vista points.
PS (to the guy with the duramax truck): You sound like a tremendous [jerk]… I hope that as you age, you gain maturity & the ability to appreciate that which can bring you contentment.
How sad that such a noteworthy addition to the Grand Canyon experience would be plagued by operators who seem to belong more at one of those islands that cruise ships stop at, luring customers off the street and into their shops, rather than a spectacular area of the United States, the Grand Canyon National Park !
I was just watching a program about the building of the skywalk and thought it would be a good trip to take my husband on. (He is handicaped and is in a wheelchair) However, after reading the reviews on this board, I have decided not to do it. The price while steep is fine but not the dirt road and then I read that you can’t use a wheelchair. This is a non starter for us. I wish the tribe the very best with this venture but we will not be there.
Actually the Skywalk is 100% wheelchair accessible so I’m not sure why anyone would say otherwise unless they did not do their research. There are a lot of misconceptions out there, so people should really read more before counting out a potentially amazing vacation. My bet is if you and your husband went, you would have an amazing experience you cannot have anywhere else on earth. Hundreds of thousands have! It is also important to understand that the road is not the Tribe’s road, it is a Mohave Country (yes with an “h”) road that the Tribe has been continually working to get paved… but since it is not on their land they cannot just pave it like they have on the road once you enter the reservation. But it will get paved sooner than later.
I so wanted to take my grandchildren so that they could experience how GRAND God’s Grand Canyon is, but financially as a widowed senior citizen, it is beyond my ability to do so. Pictures of something make great memories, but actually being part of the picture brings the memory to life. It makes me sad to think how many people – how many children – will miss this memory due to financial problems – their should be a way to share this beauty and the tribe’s legacy that isn’t at the expense of those who are limited by financial reasons. Maybe one day, my grandchildren will be able to take their children – I just wish I would have been able to see it with them.”
OOPS – I’m replying to my own comment with an apology for not doing a a check – correction – there and not their. I don’t want anyone to think that in Mississippi we don’t know the difference, “cuz yall know we do, don’t ya?”
We are on holiday from England and visited the south rim Grand Canyon and was amazed at the views. We then drove on to Las Vegas and saw that on the way was the skywalk. As we headed up there I googled the skywalk for prices but it was a bit unclear on the full price. I then found this blog and VERY glad I did. We only wanted to go and take a few pictures on the skywalk but apparently this is not possible. We wouldn’t have paid $86 each to do this anyway. Their website is very misleading. Luckily we read this before we had gone too far. 15 mile marker on the first road so we turned around and headed to Vegas instead. Thank you for all the good advice.
to “arizona traveler”… how can you, so eagerly, see nothing wrong with the travesty that is $75.00 per person. if money is no object to you that you’d spend it with hesitation, i guess i know who’s tab to put my visit under then. instead of trying to “convince” us that there is nothing wrong with the total fee (and this isn’t even covering what they end up charging for a burger or navajo taco or something)… why don’t you go to your hualapai friends and shine a light to them letting them know how much money they are actually losing by people like my family not showing up (5 ppl including children). to everyone else that placed your complaints, sorry you had to go through it, but it was not in vain as it has helped convince MANY readers to go to an alternative route. thank you for saving us a bunch of grief… (mainly because i’d be the one they actually throw off (over)the skywalk because i probably would have created a massive scene ESPECIALLY if the staff was rude on top of the cost (as mentioned above w/ BMW guy).
FYI. I have heard recently that the road is getting paved soon. Yes the road is a nightmere. My mother in law work’s at the Grand Canyon West Ranch. It’s a really nice place to visit, they have horseback rides,cabins,small restaurant, and also helicopter rides to the Grand Canyon. I got to experience the helicopter ride in January. It was amazing!!! I personally wanted to visit the Skywalk next week when we go to visit for Turkey Day, but I also didn’t know how pricey it was. My mother has never been to the Grand Canyon and I figured since we were already gonna be close by there I would take her. I googled the price, and all these comments were here. Thanx for the heads up. The helicopter ride is more money, but I personally think it’s alot better than this high priced skywalk.
Wasn’t the owner of Grand Canyon West Ranch the one who kept blocking the road paving project.
I was watching The National Geographic Channel, saw the program about it, googled it, started reading reviews, have decided to NOT go experience the GCSW. Thank You all for your reviews. Money is an object and I’m sure the natives are as rude as some of you claim. No better way to get back at the white man; Get him out in the middle of no where and dig into his pockets!
The web site now provides comprehensive pricing information. It clearly states that the cost for walking on the skywalk alone is $29 and change as an add on to several other packages. No where does the web site say that’s the only cost.
Since we don’t know, offhand, how the cost of the skywalk facility is to be amortized, it’s difficult to say what the periodic debt burden, if any, on the Hualapai is, so it is difficult to a cost analysis. On one hand, though, the Hualapai, at the very least, need to recover their long term and current operating costs plus a reasonable profit (or operating margin if they are a non-profit). Presumably, that averages out to $75/person. From a visitor’s perspective, however, one has to find a way to put a value for spending a few minutes overlooking that wonderful scenery. According to the posts here, the majority of visitors feel the value received does not offset the cost paid; consequently, the Hualapai have a PR problem of unhappy customers and loss of revenue from those who balk at the price. Apparently, the Hualapai also depend on the skywalk revenues to provide operating income for a larger part of the reservation than just the walk itself. If there is any drop in demand for the experience, they may want to rethink their pricing strategy.
.Hello to all. In defense of the experience and the tribe, I would like to clarify some things. It appears that there is a misconception. Grand Canyon West is a privately owned destination. The Grand Canyon West experience includes the Skywalk but is much more than that. This area is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe and is not a National Park therefore it is funded by ticket sales and not by the United States government.
In order to access Grand Canyon West, there is a basic entry package ( Hualapai Legacy). There are several to choose from starting at $29.95 (parking is free) based on individual preference. They all include a Hop on Hop off shuttle through out multiple view points, live Native American performances and much more as described below and more detail on the web site, http://www.grandcanyonwest.com . There is a Native American Village where you can tour through and learn about dwellings of different tribes. Once the entry package (Hualapai Legacy) is purchased, there are several options that can be added such as; The Skywalk, Helicopter tours, airplane tours, Horse back riding and even overnight cabins. The Hualapai live 60 miles from Grand Canyon West and employees commute 2 hours each way every day over the same unpaved roads you did to provide a cultural experience for thousands of visitors every day. This road is owned by Mohave County, not the tribe. The county maintains and grades it. However once you reach the tribal land boundary, it is paved. Grand Canyon West has no power, it is all generator powered. There is no water, it is hauled in and there are multiple choices for food at every view point which has to be delivered from far and prepared. Over 2000 visitors come on a daily basis and know none of this. They know there are bathrooms, coaches to take them around, power, entertainment and food available. Please take the time to see that this is not just about the Skywalk, it is about an entire Nation sharing this with you and creating a cultural experience for you like no other. It is understandable that if someone did not call ahead or check the web site that they might be misinformed about what to expect. There is certainly no obligation to purchase any of the options such as the Skywalk.
Hopefully this has given you some clarification and understanding of how the destination works.
Thank you
If this road is owned by the county then why is Nigel Turner trying to charge visitors $20.00 each to go past his Checkpoint. This happened to us on May 26th, Sunday. I refused to pay it and turned around and left. Very sour taste in my mouth for him and the tribe and what they are charging. We as everyday people go to our jobs and have to travel long periods to get there too. We are not compensated for our travel time. It’s your job and you elected to take the job. I didn’t do the research before and so sorry now about that.
I and my wife was on the Skywalk 2 years ago. Not impressed at all. They say no cameras on the Walk because in might drop and crack the glass floor. Plezzz. For me the real reason is that there are to vantage points on the Walk that takes your pics. For a slight fee of 40.00 you too can own your own pic on the Walk. Can you imagine a camera putting a crack in the floor? They say a herd of elephants can walk on it. Go figure. Yes folks, a total ripoff.
I agree with all the complaints! Took my niece, from Germany, up there and should have looked into this website first! Drove the entire way there including the dirt road only to discover the price was not actually 29.95 but 75.00 plus and not a darn thing you could do about it except what we did and that was to turn around and go home. Total scam, like being robbed without a gun!
I`m a Navajo here and you can drive to little colorado river on way to Grand Canyon on south rim from Cameron and we dont charge anyone to view the deep canyon which is part of Grand Canyon on East end? its paved except for a few min of dirt road to enter, no potholes.
I do understand the reason for a Permit Charge to Enter the hualapai reservation? plus the required Legacy Package? and not bring your own drinks or food along? theres no clarification on exact fees on their website? and I have written them and No Replies? why even have a email addy?
they dont even let fellow Natives in for Free? you can go to Monument Valley for FREE and other sites as well. so happy travels not all Tribes are charging to enter their Reservations..
You are awesome. Great post.
dont waste your time on a road tour that will wreck your car and try your patience and then reach in your pocket and rob you. not sure who was in charge white ceos or the tribe.
Thank you all very much for saving my daughter and I from an awful experience. We drove 3000 miles to go see the skywalk and I know I would have been furious with the outcome. We are avid hikers and are going to go do self tours and save a couple hundred dollars. Thanks again and I am sorry that the rest of you weren’t warned in time.
My wife and I have been considering whether we’d come to this attraction or not when we visit this fall. The negative, even rude, comments certainly paint a poor picture; however, I thank Allison, Dr. Geo. Arizona traveler, and Nikki for offering up points that balance things in respectful, well-written fashion. As one who does my homework (rather than make impulsive decisions with little knowledge) I have been able to find out all I need to know about pricing from on-line sources, and have had my eyes opened by these writers’ notations about what else I can do whilst visiting the Skywalk. Their comments have not entirely changed my mind, but helped move me towards including this as a stop. Time and the allure of other attractions in Arizona will be the deciding factors, not black-and-white judgments based on incomplete information.
75 BUCKSS!!! NO CAMERA??!! Definitely not gonna waste my money this way!