The Grand Canyon is a steep gorge carved by the Colorado River, in the State of Arizona, in the United States. Receives an average of 5 million tourists every year. Their impressive proportions. Has between 6 and 29 kilometres wide and reaches the depth of 1600 metres.
The Grand Canyon is divided into three banks: South Rim and North Rim that are within the Grand Canyon National Park and West Rim located within an Indian reservation.
The southern part of the Grand Canyon is the most popular and is located 300 miles of Vegas. In the case of a road trip, you need to make a stop. There are some crazy people who risk a beating and back but honestly not worth it. If you want to go to the South Rim the advisable is staying for two nights, is within the Park, is in one of the nearby towns. Book your hotel in advance as they fill quickly.
Already the West (Grand Canyon West) is very close to Vegas, about 195 km, a perfect option for a back and forth.
It's worth going to the Grand Canyon West?
Grand Canyon West Airport Terminal
Before we go to Vegas, still in the preparations of the trip, I read several testimonials from people saying that it was not worth going to the western part of the Canyon. The majority claimed it was nothing compared to the southern part (said to be the best), the Canyon is less in addition to stay out of the National Park. The problem is that we didn't have time or even find vacancies hotel in nearby towns to get to the South Rim. We decided then to go to the West even.
Was it worth it?
Honestly I thought the amazing place. Beautiful landscapes. I would regret it if I hadn't gone there. Thanks very worthwhile.
How to get to Grand Canyon West by car from Las Vegas?
You need to drive to the Grand Canyon West airport. The road is well marked, you can't miss it. In addition all percussion is paved. If you are using a GPS, put at Grand Canyon West Airport.
Our trip was pretty uneventful, 2:30 on a good road from start to finish. Not to mention the sights we saw.
On the road on the way to the Grand Canyon West
Colorado River-Arizona
On the road on the way to the Grand Canyon West-detail to the desert
We enjoyed the trip and we spent before by Hoover Dam which lies about 30 miles away from Vegas (30 minutes). We tell here how went to visit the dam.
The airport has a free parking.
Airport parking at Grand Canyon West
Is there even at the airport you will buy tickets. Are two types: Hualapai Legacy (Legacy Hualapai) or gold Legacy (Legacy Gold).
The Hualapai's legacy is the cheapest, it costs $ 40,96 adult and $ 35,17 children (fees). The ticket entitles you to entry into the Park in addition to the bus (shuttle) that leads to the 3 existing tourist spots.
The legacy of Gold costs $ 75,54. Beyond the entrance to the Park and the bus you are entitled to a meal (only the meal costs $ 14.95) and the entrance to the Skywalk (you can't buy just the entrance to the Skywalk separately).
In addition, there are several companies that make helicopter rides and rafting. Tried to buy the helicopter ride, which are cheaper than those coming out of Vegas, but they were already sold out.
How is the tour of the Grand Canyon West
The bus takes you to one of the 3 existing points: Eagle Point, Hualapai Ranch and Guano Point. You can stay as long as you want. Every 15 minutes there's another bus to take you to the next point or back to the entrance.
Bus that makes the transport between the three parts of the Grand Canyon West
With respect to security, the edge of the abyss has no body guard so very careful, don't die for a self. It's good to keep a safe distance from the edge.
Eagle Point
At the Eagle Point there is a small art shop that has works of handicrafts, gifts and some types of jewelry.
Is in the Eagle Point which is located the Skywalk, a glass walkway suspended. You can't go in there with objects or even digital camera, cell phone, tablet or camcorder. You are required to leave your belongings in a locker, and before entering passes through a metal detector (there's no point trying to hide the camera). To make matters worse you have to put a sock that is to not scratch the glass which was already severely scratched. The catwalk isn't even that great. With less than 1 minute you can go for a walk.
Skywalk to the bottom at the Eagle Point-Grand Canyon
Entrance to the Skywalk-Eagle Point-Grand Canyon
In the end I still spend more $ 16,28 ($ 15 plus the fees) with the picture below. The price of all of them on a CD cost more than $ 90. Absurd!
I honestly don't see anything too much to justify go on the Skywalk and we think it was an unnecessary expense.
Skywalk-Grand Canyon
Hualapai Ranch
The Hualapai Ranch is another point. When you approach the location, we felt that we were in a Western movie. The place is filled with wagons, horses, Western style buildings and even has a sheriff. As soon as we got there, we were approached by he pointed a gun at us and we were arrested. He screams a lot and it's funny. And to do the time we had to pay a gift that was riding a hobby horse and go a little excerpt from the ranch. I tried to escape and the Sheriff cried even more with me, there was no escape, I had to get in on the joke. The Sheriff didn't ask for tips, was friendly with us and take photo with him.
Entrance to the Hualapai Ranch
Sheriff-Hualapai Ranch
Paying gift-riding a Horsey at the Hualapai Ranch
Trading Post-Hualapai Ranch
Feed and Grain-Hualapai Ranch
Bank-Hualapai Ranch
Dance Hall-Hualapai Ranch
Wagon Rides-Hualapai Ranch
The Hualapai Ranch Western wagon-Grand Canyon
Horses pulling a cart at the Hualapai Ranch Western-Grand Canyon
Guano Point
Grand Canyon-Guano Point
Guano Point has a very nice track, where you can climb a rock and see the view more in isolation, a spectacular feel. In this place we watched a beautiful sunset and don't we care taking multiple pictures. There you also have the privilege of having spectacular panoramic views of the Canyon and the Colorado River.
And this was our trip to the Grand Canyon West staff. We love and recommend. Already planned a next time to meet the southern rim. Have you ever been? Liked it? Leave in the comments your experience.
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