Great Day Trips - Grand Canyon Skywalk From Las Vegas

Going to Las Vegas? Make sure to add the Grand Canyon Skywalk to your list of "must-see" attractions. The "Glass Bridge" is only two-and-a-half-hours away and offers Sin City sightseers a number of unique experiences that are only available in this part of the Canyon.

Getting There

Part of the ever-evolving Grand Canyon West area, the Skywalk is situated some 120 miles east of Las Vegas. Getting there is half the adventure. En route, you skirt Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the U.S., cross Hoover Dam, enter Arizona, and ply a beautiful gorge carved out by the persistent Colorado River. In the Grand Canyon State, you'll hit flat land whereupon you'll take a right going east down a dirt road for 10 miles until you arrive at the Rim.

The Glass Bridge

The Skywalk is an engineering marvel: It's a glass-bottomed cantilever structure that juts out 70 feet into the Canyon's abyss. Nearly 4,000 below, the Colorado River quietly churns. The Bridge has been designed to withstand significant earthquakes and can support 800 people at once. The custom glass walkway panels cost approximately $250,000 each, which explains why personal electronics (cell phones, cameras, etc.) are not permitted and why you must wear cotton booties over your shoes. One last point about photos: The Bridge employs authorized photographers to take your picture, which can be purchased at the information center or online.

Admission Fees

Compared to other Las Vegas attractions, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a bargain. Currently, tickets cost:

Adults: $29.95
Children: $22.46
Seniors and Military: $26.96

In addition to the attraction ticketing, you are also required to purchase a Legacy Pass, which gives you unlimited access to Grand Canyon West, including attractions such as Hualapai Ranch and Iguana Point, rim-side hiking trails, and transportation aboard shuttle busses. Legacy Pass prices are:

Adults: $43.05
Children: $35.03
Seniors and military: $39.85

Big Bang for the Buck

Renting a car and driving to Grand Canyon West is an option. However, because tour prices in Las Vegas are hyper-competitive, you'll probably save money and have a much more enjoyable trip if you book a bus tour. Standard packages include hotel pick up and drop off, park entry fee, and multiple stops, including Hoover Dam, Grand Wash Cliffs, Eagle and Guano Point, and more. In most cases, Skywalk ticket fees will be in addition to the bus package. The West Rim is the only place in the Grand Canyon where you can helicopter to the bottom of the Canyon. Pricing for this is additional to the basic bus tour package. Tour takes the entire day and usually has you back at your hotel around 6 p.m.

Final Thoughts

For many, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a life-changing experience. Nearly a million people have visited it from countries all over the world. Many claim it a "life-changing experience." Perhaps it will be for you as well. And why not? Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Las Vegas, it should be high on everyone's list of must-see attractions in the Southwest.