The Ultimate Grand Canyon West Trip Planner

The top western destination can be an easy inspiring day trip or an epic immersion in nature and culture. Here are three ways to experience the accessible wonders of Grand Canyon West. Just pick your comfort level and go Grand, Grander, or Grandest!

Grand: Bucket List Day Trip

The Plan: Selfie on the Skywalk, Brave the Zipline, Helicopter Bird’s Eye View

You’re 4,000 feet above the floor of the Grand canyon, nothing between you but glass, and you couldn’t be happier. That’s the thrill of the Skywalk, the horseshoe shaped glass bridge you’ve likely seen on the Instagram feed of your socially savvy nomadic friends. Just 2 hours from Vegas it’s a thrill that tops the bright lights of the Strip. Yes it’s about having your mind blown by an amazing view of the Grand Canyon with that life-changing scale and unparalleled beauty. And yes it’s about taking a killer photo you’ll share on your socials. But consider getting closer to the action on the Zip Line that speeds 40 miles per hour over a side canyon on Hualapai Ranch. If you don’t have the time or desire to hike down into the canyon itself, the Zip Line has two routes with several thousand feet of line that drop you into a spectacular side canyon. It’s a thrilling way to get up close and personal with the canyon. The ultimate two-for-one day trip move is to splurge on a helicopter tour for sweeping birds-eye views of the canyon, crowned with a pontoon ride on the Colorado River.

Courtesy of Grand Canyon West

Grander: Adventure Immersion

The Plan: Hiking and Rafting with Hualapai Lodge as Home Base

If you have a little more time and want to go deeper into the Grand Canyon West experience, you should add at least an overnight stay in Peach Springs, Arizona. Two hours east of the West Rim on historic Route 66, the town is the capital of the Hualapai Nation and a handy home base for active travelers who want to stay a day or more. For travelers seeking a literal and figurative immersion into the Grand Canyon, there’s no deeper an experience than a whitewater river rafting tour of the Colorado River guided by the Hualapai River Runners. Yes you’ll get all the bone-chilling, goosebump-inducing thrill of riding the rapids, but you’ll also learn the past and present traditions of the Hualapai firsthand from tribal members.

Courtesy of Grand Canyon West

Grandest:  Culture Meets Nature

The Plan: West Rim to Peach Springs Double Dip

To experience all the facets of Grand Canyon West, create an itinerary that checks all the boxes on the bucket list: Skywalk selfie? Check. Zip Line and helicopter tour? Check. Be sure to plan a visit to Eagle Point over the weekend to attend dances and musical performances by the Hualapai Tribe, take a self-guided tour of a historically correct Native American village, and support local artisans at the Native Hands Gift Shop. Round out your trip to the east at Peach Springs with a one-, two-, or five-day river rafting trip that includes an inspiring hike to Travertine Falls. The one-day rafting tour is a nice taste, but for a deep dive into the canyon and culture, plan for a longer two- or five-day rafting/camping trip to fully connect with nature and reset your soul. 

Courtesy of Grand Canyon West

For more information and to book tickets for your getaway now go to grandcanyonwest.com.