Grand Canyon Area Travel Guide

The Grand Canyon Area Travel Guide is a resource for those planning to visit Grand Canyon National Park and other locations in and around the Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona. The area features diverse outdoor recreation and some of the world's most spectacular sightseeing.

(Right: Grand Canyon Skywalk Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 2.5)

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any purple KEY number on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the number for a link to detailed information. For easiest use, scroll map to top. Detailed Grand Canyon Area Map in separate window. (Index at bottom of this page.)

South Rim | Inner Canyon | North Rim | Toroweap Overlook | Havasu Canyon | Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon Skywalk, Grand Canyon West (Hualapai Nation)

The Hualapai Nation offers a variety of visitor and recreational services in the westernmost section of the Grand Canyon. Its newest and most well-known attraction is the Grand Canyon Skywalk located at Grand Canyon West. Opened to the public in March, 2007, the Skywalk is a unique horseshoe-shaped structure which extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Grand Canyon. Its glass-bottomed pathway allows visitors an opportunity to peer thousands of feet straight down into the Grand Canyon, and is the only such view available without an airplane or helicopter. The structure holds 120 visitors at one time and is safely held in place by steel footings drilled into limestone bedrock.

Photo, left: Grand Canyon Skywalk Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 2.5

The Skywalk actually extends over a side canyon a short distance from main gorge holding the Colorado River. It is 3,600 feet above the elevation of the Colorado River which is clearly visible from here. While more spectacular views may be seen at Grand Canyon National Park, most visitors will be excited by the unique perspective of this vista.

To see the spectacle on the Grand Canyon Skywalk, visitors must purchase an activity package from Grand Canyon West, the tourist center of the Hualapai Nation. Activities include guided tours, horseback rides, jeep tours, cookouts, and more. The minimum package is about $50, and a ticket for a 15 minute visit on the Skywalk is additional. Discounts are available for children under 12.

Travel Directions to Grand Canyon West. From Las Vegas, take US-93 south into Arizona 72 miles. Turn left on Pierce Ferry Road and proceed east 28 miles. Right on Diamond Bar Road for 21 miles - the first 14 miles are unpaved and fairly rough. Take it slow in a sedan. From Kingman, Arizona, proceed north on the Stockton Hill Road (I-40, exit 52) 42 miles to Pierce Ferry Road, then east 7 miles to Diamond Bar Road.

Other Activities

Diamond Creek Road - Drive to Bottom of Grand Canyon. The Diamond Creek Road is the only route you can drive to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It heads north from old Route-66 at Peach Springs and reaches the Colorado River in 20 miles. The road is unpaved after the first mile and can generally be navigated in a sedan. It reaches a picnic/camping area a mile short of the river. The final mile is rough and best walked unless you have a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle. Visitor permits are required and can be purchased at the Hualapai Lodge (Phone: 928-769-2230) in Peach Springs. An additional daily fee is required if you camp.

Hualapai River Runners - Grand Canyon Rafting Trips. The Hualapai offer a popular full-day rafting trip. This is the only place you can experience a one-day white water trip within the Grand Canyon. Most trips within Grand Canyon National Park require a minimum of three days. The trip starts and ends at Peach Springs. Visitors are taken by bus to the river via Diamond Creek Road. The rafts leave here and continue downstream to the start of Lake Mead. Weather permitting, rafters are helicoptered out of the canyon offering air views of the canyon as well.

Grand Canyon West Packages and Activities. A variety of tourist packages are offered, including stays at the Hualapai Ranch at Grand Canyon West. All-inclusive tours are available that include airplane, helicopter, or ground transportation to and from Las Vegas. Activities include Grand Canyon Skywalk, horseback rides, Guano Point Overlook into canyon, Indian village, cookouts, helicopter tours into the canyon, etc.

Lodging

Hualapai Lodge. Located about 117 miles southeast of Grand Canyon West on old Route-66 in the town of Peach Springs. The lodge features modern motel rooms, a pool, and restaurant serving three meals. Front rooms are recommended as an active train line runs behind the building. Convenient lodging if you are going rafting.

• Check on room availability for Hualapai Lodge.

Hualapai Ranch. Located at Grand Canyon West near the Skywalk. The Hualapai Ranch offers rustic cabins and western-style amenities such as "cowboy entertainment", wagon rides, etc. Part of overnight "Tranquility" package reserved through Grand Canyon West. (See Reviews of Grand Canyon West at tripadvisor.com.)

Grand Canyon Ranch. Located about seven miles west of Grand Canyon West on Diamond Bar Road. Not affiliated with Grand Canyon West or the Hualapai Nation. Offers choice of inexpensive tepees or nicer cabins; all meals included. Focus is "western-style" hospitality and activities. Helicopter transport to and from Las Vegas is available, as are helicopter canyon tours. Note that ranch is not within walking distance of the canyon rim.

• Check on room availability for Grand Canyon Ranch.

Popular Hotels in Kingman, Arizona

Kingman, Arizona is located about 73 miles south of Grand Canyon West.

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott

3101 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ, 86401
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Kingman Route 66 has an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness facility. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. There is a business center on site. Guests are served a complimentary breakfast each morning. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional amenities include coffee in the lobby, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and self parking. This is a smoke-free property.

• Reserve Rooms for SpringHill Suites by Marriott

• Best Western Plus A Wayfarer's Inn and Suites

2815 E Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ, 86401
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
The Best Western Plus A Wayfarer's Inn and Suites offers convenient Interstate access and is located en route to the cities of Las Vegas and Phoenix. The hotel is an excellent resting point to travelers continuing to the Grand Canyon and provides excellent accommodations and guest amenities. Heated Outdoor Pool, Hot Tub, Fitness Center, Complimentary breakfast, Complimentary newspaper, Free wireless internet.

• Reserve Rooms for Best Western Plus A Wayfarer's Inn and Suites

• Hampton Inn And Suites

3101 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ, 86401
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
Hampton Inn And Suites Kingman has an indoor pool and a fitness facility. Complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access is available in public areas. Guests are served a complimentary breakfast. Guest parking is complimentary.

• Reserve Rooms for Hampton Inn And Suites

• Best Western Plus King's Inn and Suites

2930 E Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ, 86401
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
Enjoy convenient access to the Hualapai Mountain Park and Hiking Trails, Historic Route 66 and the Skywalk while staying at this exceptional Kingman, Arizona hotel. Conveniently situated off Interstate 40 in Northwestern Arizona, the Best Western Plus King's Inn & Suites is a full service hotel providing clean, comfortable accommodations and a friendly, helpful staff at an affordable rate. Heated Outdoor Pool, Hot Tub, Fitness Center, Complimentary breakfast, Free wireless internet.

• Reserve Rooms for Best Western Plus King's Inn and Suites

• More Hotels in the Kingman, Arizona Area.

Grand Canyon Area Travel Guide Index

• Introduction & Index
• South Rim
• Inner Canyon
• North Rim
• Toroweap Overlook
• Havasu Canyon
• Grand Canyon Skywalk
• Grand Canyon Camping
• Grand Canyon Lodging
• More Grand Canyon...

Guides to Nearby Destinations

• Northern Arizona
• Las Vegas Area
• Southern Utah
• Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon
• Lake Powell
• Paria Canyon Hiking Guide

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