So I travel to Phoenix tomorrow night and my mother arrives on Saturday - the day after tomorrow. We're going to the Grand Canyon spend two nights and return to Phoenix with an afternoon in Sedona.

Here's the wrench. Tonight my mother said she would like to go to the skywalk. As best as I understand it is several hours from the main south rim area. Is there anyway to go there and back in one day or less? Is there an air option? Maybe a helicopter tour of the canyon that includes the skywalk?

I think, from what I've read, the skywalk is overrated considering that it is so out of the way. But, if I can work this in I'd like to.

Thanks.

I think you are limited to just 15 minutes on the Skywalk. You could drive there from your GC hotel (I'm guessing 3-4 hours each way) but it would be a long, wasteful day.

Is there an air option? Maybe a helicopter tour of the canyon that includes the skywalk?

You can do this from Vegas. Not sure if you can do it from the GC airport though. Should have info on the options at the Skywalk website.

Thanks!

Hi Mom. I looked into visiting the skywalk,and it seems we can't make it there this time. It is a four hour drive each way from our hotel. I'm sorry but I'm sure we will have a lovely time as our plans stand.

skip the skywalk.


Do take a helicopter tour. It is worth it. You will see a ton more from it than you would the skywalk. Most consider the skywalk a ripoff. It would only be an option for me, if it wasn't so far out of the way. Enjoy your weekend at the GC!

skip the skywalk. Do take a helicopter tour. You will see a ton more from it than you would the skywalk.

I agree with the bulldog, you will definitely see a lot more from a fixed wing or chopper flight than from the Skywalk, and the GC airport is just a few miles south of where you'll be staying.

Your mom might also enjoy the big-screen IMAX movie on the Grand Canyon, which is shown at Tusayan. The river running scenes are especially impressive.

Some more info on the Skywalk ... it is not in the Grand Canyon National Park, and NOT built over the main Colorado river channel (as the advertising implies) but rather over a smaller tributary canyon, so there's just a 2,000 ft drop, instead of the 5,000 ft drop seen near the main visitor center.

This was financed by Las Vegas business interests so they would have a convenient "Grand Canyon" attraction for Vegas tourists. Over 90% of the visitors are coming from Vegas, mostly foreign tourists who think they are seeing the real Grand Canyon.

In Arizona the Skywalk is generally considered the biggest tourist trap in the state, given the high cost ($75 minimum once you add the admission fees), misleading advertising and limited time on the walk. They won't even let you carry a camera, but rather have a local take photos of you and then try to sell you prints