The West Side Of The Grand Canyon Is One Of Arizona's Most Underrated Natural Treasures
By Katie Lawrence|Published August 08, 2022
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is often heralded as the most secluded area in the park, but what about Grand Canyon West? While not officially part of Grand Canyon National Park, this underrated natural treasure showcases a side of the canyon you may have never seen before: the West Rim. Walk across a sky bridge, go ziplining or whitewater rafting, and learn about the rich culture and traditions of the Hualapai people, as the park is located on their land.
Let your adventurous spirit sour when you visit Grand Canyon West, one of Arizona's most underrated natural treasures.
Nestled on the Hualapai Reservation, this incredible place is home to Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that juts out 70 feet over the canyon rim.
The Skywalk is the most well-known attraction in the park, and for good reason. Unlike anywhere else in the Grand Canyon, this remarkable bridge lets you gaze 4,000 feet down to the earth below. There's simply no experience that compares!
Dramatic vistas exist all over the West Rim, with Guano Point being among the most jaw-dropping of them all. You'll enjoy 360-degree canyon views, plus the opportunity to see a now-defunct aerial tramway that once extended nearly 9,000 feet over the canyon to a guano mine.
While most people come to Grand Canyon West for Skywalk, the bridge is by no means the only attraction in the park. Adrenaline seekers can embark on the only one-day whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River...
You can also soar over the canyon on a helicopter tour that offers bird's-eye views of the vast and rugged landscape. For the full experience, take the Grand Canyon Discovery tour, which involves a 3,500-foot descent into the canyon for a pontoon boat ride on the Colorado River before ascending back up to the rim.
Watch song and dance performances, then shop for handcrafted items at Hualapai Point. Afterward, head to Eagle Point, where you can take a self-guided tour of an authentic Native American village, complete with traditional housing structures, ovens, and sweat lodges. You'll also find more shopping opportunities at Eagle Point.
Several dining options guarantee no one leaves the table hungry. Enjoy American classics at Sky View Restaurant or Skywalk Cafe, or chow down on BBQ at Guano Point Cafe.
Try authentic Hualapai cuisine at Gwe Ma'jo or Diamond Creek Restaurant, or snag grab-and-go favorites at Walapai Market. All of the restaurants have one thing in common: views that are almost as good as the food!
Have you ever visited this hidden gem? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience. Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article about a nearby national park that offers some of the best stargazing in Arizona.
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