Grand Canyon's Sky walk

Question

My family and I are going to Arizona for a family vacation. My father was looking into going on the Sky walk. I've done some research and know that it opened sometime last spring. The reviews seemed resentful of spending $75 for poor quality (not the canyon; everyone loved it, but it had ridiculous rules). Is it true that cameras aren't allowed? Is the construction still going on? Would it be worth it in a week's time?

Answer 1

If you have a week, you can visit all three tourist areas if you desire.  Without hiking in, you can do each attraction area in a day.  The Skywalk is probably 3 hrs from the South Rim.  You can easily spend a day or more in the Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim.  If you take the road to Desert View, there are lots of overlooks, and even some Indian ruins you can spend time at.  At the end of that drive, it is another 3 hours or more to the North Rim.  The North Rim doesn't have the crowds that the South Rim does, and has spectacular views from the lodge.  There is more opportunity for car camping on the North side too as much of the land up there is Forest Service rather than National Park.  

I haven't been to the Skywalk.  It does not suspend over the canyon gorge,  which is what most people expect so they naturally get disappointed.  Instead it extends over the canyon, and the drop from the skywalk to rock is a few hundred feet.  Add that to the not so good road in, the lack of anything else to do close once you are done amusing yourself with the skywalk, and the minimal amenities compared to the South Rim, and it is easy to see why it hasn't impacted the South Rim tourism.  However, if you do go, I would recommend stopping at Grand Canyon Caverns off I-40 along the way.  

If you are hikers, there are some great day hikes off the South Rim.  Grandview Mesa is fun as there are ruins of buildings, caves, etc to explore.  You can also do a day hike to Cedar Ridge and back on the South Kaibab trail, and take your pick from Santa Maria or Dripping springs from the Hermit trailhead.  

Have fun.  It is the most spectacular scenery in the world, and it is addicting.  Since my first backpack trip there, I have been back to cover more trail 1-3 times a year, and have now hiked most of the trails in the park, and many more than once.  Of course it isn't for everyone, but if you love nature/geology/scenery, it may be a spiritual experience.  

Answer 2

My suggestion is to skip the skywalk and go to the national park instead. The South Rim has much better views of the canyon and some nice walks along the canyon. Plus, you don't have to spend $59 or more per person for the view. I've heard good things about the North Rim, too, but I haven't personally been there.

The skywalk is a neat gimmick, but it's not the best place to view the canyon.

Answer 3

cameras are not allowed.the construction is over.it's is probably worth going for a week