Grand Canyon Skywalk Helicopter Tours

It was an absolutely perfect day to visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The only clouds were the fair-weather kind. The horizon stretched as far as the eye could see. The upstream snowmelt had turned the Colorado River brown. Judging by the rafting party below, the current was strong. I wouldn't have had the pleasure of seeing any of this if I hadn't booked a last-minute Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Vegas.

Glass Walkway & Boat?

I was at first content to take a tour bus to the Skywalk but I got backed up with business and time became an issue. Going by helicopter became a no-brainer. Choppers get you to the West Rim in 45 minutes. Then a light went on: "If I can get there that fast, why not do the Skywalk with boat package?"

I'm glad I did. I'd never been on this part of the river. Our helicopter dropped us off at the base and we hiked 5 minutes to the boat dock. Two Hualapai boatmen greeted us. The steel pontoon watercraft motored about 15 minutes up river and then we floated back to the dock. I gawked at the canyon's walls as my guide imparted some of the most interesting history about the West Rim I've ever heard.

I got lucky and got a front seat in the chopper as we ascended to the top of the rim. Oh, and I stand corrected: You can pay a premium for a front seat. Is it worth it? Definitely. Especially going up. I felt like I was on the back of an eagle as the canyon rose up in front of our 180-degree glass windshield!

The heliport is about 10 minutes away from the Skywalk. Our driver was an elder Hualapai woman. She was decked in native garb, including some fantastic indigenous jewelry. She spoke softly and kindly drove us to the main staging area. Checked in, our guide slipped us in past the Skywalk line and into the area where you put protective cloth booties over your shoes.

$250,000 Glass Panels!

The booties are part of the Tribe's campaign to protect the glass bridge's specially formulated glass panels, which cost $250,000 each! Further, they've also banned cameras and cell phones because they will chip the deck if dropped. In the past, visitors would sneak in cameras. Those days are over. Metal detectors are now in place and there's a staffer who "wands" you, too.

I've heard lots of people complaining about the camera-ban. It's not going to change anytime soon. There are photogs on the 10-foot-wide deck who will take your picture. Cost is $20 and the quality is excellent. I suggest that if you are traveling with others or in a group that you go with the $70 package. It includes 15 hi-res images, four of which can be turned into framed prints. You also get a nice Skywalk t-shirt and some bridge lithographs.

Glass Bridge: An Engineering Phenom!

The Skywalk is a phenom of engineering. The structure cost $30 million dollars and weighs more than a million pounds. Bolted to the side of the canyon, the glass bridge lets you walk 70 feet beyond the edge of the West Rim. If you get vertigo, don't look down: What you will see is the river 4,000 feet below! Best place for views is the north side. The other excellent place for photos is at the Eagle Point lookout. Be careful: There are no guardrails and the drop into the canyon is steep!

I'm very pleased that I opted to take this Grand Canyon Skywalk helicopter tour (with boat ride!). The bus ride over is 2.5 hours and I'm not interested in dedicating five hours of my day to transport. Helicoptering to the bottom of the canyon (the West Rim is the only place in the Park where you get this opportunity) was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Same for the boat ride and the fabulous Indian hospitality to which I was treated. And, yes, the pinnacle of my air tour was the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The thrill of experiencing the best of the Seven Natural Wonders is beyond comparison. You've just got to do it.

Make it a GRAND day!

P.S. Ready to fly the canyon? Check out these Grand Canyon helicopter coupons and use the savings for your Skywalk pictures!