National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Grand Canyon National ParkThe Hualapai Skywalk NPS Photo
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Grand Canyon National Park
The Hualapai Tribe and Skywalk
The Skywalk is outside of Grand Canyon National Park. 
Read this page to learn how to get there.
 

The Hualapai (WALL-uh-pie), the "People of the Tall Pines," have lived in the Southwest for untold generations. Traditionally their homelands stretched from Grand Canyon to the Bill Williams River in west-central Arizona and from the Black Mountains bordering the Colorado River to the San Francisco Peaks. Primarily nomadic hunter-gathers, they also traded with nearby tribes. The Hualapai Reservation of just less than 1,000,000 acres was established in 1883.

Today the tribe counts about 2,300 members. Peach Springs on Highway 66 is the tribal headquarters. The tribe operates a hotel, restaurant, and gift shop in Peach Springs. While limited ranching, timber harvest, and guided hunts provide some income, the tourist industry offers the best opportunity for employment of tribal members.

 

Grand Canyon West
The Tribe has chosen a site at the far western end of Grand Canyon - about 250 miles (400 km) by road, a five hour drive, from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park - to offer a variety of visitor services including the Skywalk. Food service is limited, usually as part of a package tour. The map below shows the location of Grand Canyon West.

 
Map showing the location of Grand Canyon West in relation to Grand Canyon National Park.
Map shows the location of Grand Canyon West, a five-hour drive from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
 

To drive to Grand Canyon West, take I-40 to Kingman, Arizona. Turn north on US 93 and proceed about 30 miles to the Pierce Ferry Road; turn right. After 28 miles on the Pierce Ferry Road, turn right on Diamond Bar Road. It is then 14 miles of dirt road and 7 miles of paved road to Grand Canyon West. Shuttle service is available from the reservation boundary for a fee.

The Skywalk
The Skywalk, managed by the Hualapai Tribe and located on tribal lands, consists of a horseshoe-shaped steel frame with glass floor and sides that projects about 70 feet (21 m) from the canyon rim. The Skywalk is included in several different tour packages at Grand Canyon West.

Fees
The Hualapai Tribe collects fees to enter any part of the reservation as certain parts of the reservation are restricted to the general public. All fees are subject to change at any time.

Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk:
:www.destinationgrandcanyon.com
Reservations: 1-877-716-9378 or 1-702-878-9378 Email:reservations@destinationgrandcanyon.com

For reservations at the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs: 1-888-255-9550 Email:info@destinationgrandcanyon.com


For more information about exploring the Hualapai Reservation and Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk, download The Hualapai Tribe and Skywalk Bulletin (115kb PDF File)
JOHN HANCE, GRAND CANYON PIONEER  

Did You Know?
John Hance, early Grand Canyon guide and storyteller, said of the Canyon, "It was hard work, took a long time, but I dug it myself, with a pick and a shovel. If you want to know what I done with the dirt, just look south through a clearin' in the trees at what they call the San Francisco Peaks."

Last Updated: June 09, 2008 at 19:17 EST