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. The West Rim is a popular destination for helicopter tours from Las Vegas, which give travelers a bird’s-eye view of the canyon and nearby attractions such as the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. 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 service 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 Indian Reservation was created in 1883, the Grand Canyon West Rim area wasn’t developed until 1988, when 2,100 members of the Native American 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.
