Las Vegas is a great destination for fun and entertainment and people flock it around the year for disconnecting from their daily routine. While the city is known for its glamour and glitter, there are various getaways that one can plan for while in the city so that you have a chance to enjoy some of the natural wonders around the city. We took a recent trip to this desert city and kept an entire day for a visit to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. This article is our documentation of the trip and highlights our experience at Grand Canyon and recommendations.
Here is video-log of our visit to the Grand Canyon
The Journey to Grand Canyon West
We started from our Hotel in Las Vegas early in the morning of September 2, 2019 - The Labor Day. We wanted to avoid the huge rush of people leaving the town after an extended weekend and hence took a pretty early start to cover the 125-mile drive to Grand Canyon West. We got breakfast from the hotel restaurant to-go and got started with the coffee. We started with our journey on Interstate 515 and gradually got onto the highway 11 or I-93 southwards towards Mohave County. About an hour later we took the exit onto the Follow Pierce Ferry Road and then took Diamond Bar Rd to reach the approach road towards the Grand Canyon West another hour later. The total drive took about two-and-a-half-hour until the gate of the site. The last approach once you leave I-93 is a two-lane road with reduced speed limits and hence takes quite a lot of time compared to the distance. Also, once you leave the interstate, there are very few gas stations or eating joints - so have your car topped and pack some snacks. If you are anything like us, you are definitely going to need them. We somehow end up too hungry on road-trips and need a constant supply of munchies - yeah health considerations are on a break at that time.
The scenic road to the Grand Canyon
We approached the region and soon entered the Hualapai Indian Reservation, the earmarked area under control of the Hualapai Tribe. West Rim of the Grand Canyon lies within the reservation and hence is operated by the tribe. They have branded the spot as Grand Canyon West and charge pretty hefty fees (about 35 bucks per person against the per vehicle charges at other rims which are within the national park region). The touristy nature of the site is evident as you enter the region and before you enter parking there is a guide to provide you some generic directions. There is a huge parking lot (of course complimentary after already heavy fee). We parked the vehicle and proceeded to the check-in area. We were finally at the Grand Canyon - the natural wonder of the world. Since we already had the tickets done online, we proceeded directly to the boarding point for the shuttle buses.
The Tickets - Mandatory and Optional Inclusions
There are multiple ticket options for entry to the Grand Canyon West. While a minimum entry ticket (priced at $44) is mandatory which includes a visit to the three points and the shuttle ride, it is only a bare minimum version. There are other versions with various options add-ons including the Skywalk, River-tour, meals, etc. We had opted for the next higher version from the basic ticket which included the Skywalk along with the entry to the thee sites. This was priced at $62 which is a pretty steep price to pay for the experience but what can one do 😼
The Hop-On-Hop-Off Shuttle
The Hop-on-hop-off Shuttle - can get busy in peak hours
Visitors are not allowed to take their own vehicles into the campus because of the tribal area restrictions. The operators offer a shuttle service across various tourist spots within the area in a hop on hop off format. The trip starts from the boarding point at the starting area - right after you park your car. You may face some rush during the busy hours or days but nothing more than a 15-minute wait at any stop as there are enough buses doing the rounds. We felt that the buses were more in number during the start of the day compared to when the day advanced, but still, the service remained at an acceptable level. The buses drop and pick at four specific spots which are open to public visits - the main building, Hualapai Ranch, Eagle Point, and Guano Point. Each stop of the bus has its own charm. Guests can hop on any bus at any of the stops thus they get to enjoy each point at their own pace. The buses themselves are pretty okay and low-floored vehicles that are stroller friendly to some extent. However, you may have to fold up the strollers to adjust them as you enter because of the limited real-estate within the bus.
The Hualapai Ranch
The Ranch
The culprits are wanted
This is the first stop for the shuttle bus. The tribe has set up this area modeled as an old west town providing experience in itself to the tourists. There are also some activities like horse riding available for pictures and fun. Guests can also have photo opportunities with Hualapai Tribe members, lasso lessons, shopping at the Walapai Trading Post, and a chance to conquer the mechanical bull. For those yearning for some adrenaline rush, there is a zip line to swing across. There is a food hall that serves western fare meals at specific times. There is an outlet serving beverages and ice-creams. Evenings offer live music performances for visitors and guests.
The tribe offers a limited number of cabins here for tourists inclined for an overnight stay at the Grand Canyon. There are additional lodging available in other locations within the tribal reservation. If you are not staying here, then this is mostly a touristy spot created to engage tourists as they start their tour of the site. You may spend time here based on how much you would like the touristy stuff. We did spend some time here relishing the snacks wifey brought from home - somehow the same home-cooked stuff tastes quite a lot wonderful at such sites.
Eagle Point - The Skywalk and More
The Eagle Point
Eagle Point is the second stop for the shuttle bus. The point is named after the natural rock formation here which looks like an Eagle. While there is a lot to the Eagle Point, the most prominent attraction is the Sky Walk.
Getting to the Skywalk - The kiddo is getting fancier
Walking on the sky would have been awesome feeling if we all had a chance to experience it once - isn't it. Well, that isn't obviously possible but here is a step towards it that you have a chance to achieve. This spot is as touristy as it can get. The operators have set up this skywalk to provide an interesting twist to the visit to the natural wonder. This is a 10-feet wide bridge that extends about 70 feet over the rim of the Grand Canyon. The bridge platform has a glass floor that allows visitors to see 4000 feet deep canyon below through the platform. This engineering marvel offers unparalleled views of one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders. Visitors are not allowed to carry cameras or phones - there are lockers provided for storing them before you enter the bridge. There are professional photographers who can click a picture of yours with the canyon in the background and you could buy them for a pretty penny.
While it is an important attraction, Skywalk isn't the only thing at the Eagle Point. There is an amphitheater where Native American dance performances are conducted every day. There is also a souvenir shop available here. Guests have a chance to visit the American Village out here observe dwellings of various local tribes living here. Guests can stroll through traditionally built housing, ovens, and sweat lodges and enjoy the unique architecture. We spent about an hour here before proceeding to the next spot.
The Eagle Point Memorial
Guano Point - View the Grand Canyon
Guano Point is the last point of the Grand Canyon tour and provides the most spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. There is an arrangement to get close enough to the rim to gain raw views of the two rocky walls of the Canyon right until the Colorado river flowing across. There is a trail called the "Highpoint Hike" which takes visitors to a point that provides the best view of the canyon and allows capturing mesmerizing pictures. The only feeling that we had after appreciating the grandeur of the canyon was a humbled astonishment. The might of humans is simply an iota of the power of nature and that is displayed here with adequate evidence. The site also has a cafe if you are hungry after visiting all the sites.
The Grandness of the Canyon
We had to get into the frame
The Folk Dance Performance
The point has a historic story and gained popularity after it was discovered because of reserves of nitrogen-rich guano for fertilizer. This is how the point got its name. Overestimation of the reserve quantity led to investment in costly infrastructure including a long tramway across the river. Folk fare tells that a US Airforce Jet crashed into the tramway cables almost soon after the reserves were depleted. The leftover relics of the tramways still exist as lively monument telling the story of first attempts to mine the canyon. This was the last point on the tour and then we took the bus to the starting point - the main building.
Parting Thoughts
The main building has a gift shop to buy souvenirs of your trip to the Grand Canyon. The site also offers helicopter tours and river tours which allow visitors to enjoy very different perspectives of the natural wonder. While we did not take any of these and hence have limited views, they are only worth it if your visit spans across more than one day. As we left, we were left mesmerized by the Natural Wonder and were pleasantly amused by what nature can offer. We interacted with many regular visitors and each of them vouched that this is a highly commercialized and touristy version of the canyon and it can be experienced in its raw form at the South Rim. South Rim is part of the Grand Canyon National Park and is pretty much in its raw form with all the hikes and trails in a natural environment. While the trip to the South Rim from Las Vegas (with about a four-hour drive) is virtually impossible for a one day trip if you have more time to spare that is definitely where you should head. If that is not the case, Grand Canyon West is not a bad way to experience the canyon and definitely deserves a visit.
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