Grand Canyon West Rim

The West Rim is an ideal day trip destination from Las Vegas, Nevada. Hike the area, visit the Western-style Hualapai Ranch for food and themed activities, or step onto the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk—a glass bridge near Guano Point that allows visitors to see the Colorado River flowing 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) beneath their feet on the canyon floor.

The West Rim is a popular destination for helicopter tours from Las Vegas, which give travelers a bird's-eye view of the Grand Canyon's rock formations and nearby attractions such as the Hoover Dam and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. For a special treat, opt for a sunset helicopter tour that includes Champagne. Bus tours from Vegas offer a different perspective and sometimes also include a visit to Joshua Tree National Park.

• Plan to spend at least four hours exploring the West Rim.

• Transportation by private vehicle is not permitted within Grand Canyon West. Parking is available, and a hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus transports visitors between viewpoints.

• Bring sun protection, plenty of water, and comfortable shoes.

• Wheelchair users may need assistance on the area's rough terrain.

Grand Canyon West is two to three hours by road from Las Vegas and 90 minutes from Kingman, Arizona. The nearest airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.

The Grand Canyon is a scenic place to visit year-round, with its colors ranging from blazing summer reds to snowy winter hues. Summer is the busiest season, when it's best to arrive early and book tours in advance.

Although the Hualapai Reservation was created in 1883, the Grand Canyon West Rim area wasn't developed until 1988, when 2,100 members of the Hualapai tribe decided to open their ancestral lands to visitors. In addition to its stunning viewpoints, the area now offers white water rafting, scenic hiking trails, and rustic lodging to travelers.

A self-guided Grand Canyon West Rim tour will take about three to four hours to see and experience most everything there. Many tour companies run tours that also combine a visit to Hoover Dam, which takes more time.

When visiting the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, add the Grand Canyon West Skywalk to your admission ticket. The 70-foot (21-meter) glass bridge allows you to walk across the canyon at 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) above its floor for unobstructed views.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit Grand Canyon West as these seasons allow you to avoid the summer crowds and heat that come in June, July, and August. The best time of day to visit is later in the afternoon so you can catch a sunset.

Grand Canyon West Rim tickets start at US$49. A general admission ticket gives you access to the Hualapai Tribal Nation–owned attractions Eagle Point and Guano Point lookout areas and its hop-on hop-off shuttle service. Other attraction add-ons, like the Skywalk (US$29), cost more.

Filling your day at Grand Canyon West Rim is easy. Along with spending time at Eagle Point and Guano Point, you can walk across the Grand Canyon West Skywalk, go ziplining, take a helicopter ride, grab a meal at Skywalk Cafe or Guano Point Cafe, and visit Hualapai Ranch.

No, reservations aren't required for general admission into the Grand Canyon West Rim. If you want to do things like go ziplining or take a helicopter ride or rafting tour, you may want to book ahead to make sure there's space available.