Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon Skywalk, the highest man made structure in the world will be the first-ever cantilever shaped glass walkway to suspend more than 4,000 feet above the Colorado River and extend 70 feet from the canyon’s rim.

Grand Canyon West, a destination owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe at the Grand Canyon’s western rim, announced March 28, 2007 as the official public opening date of The Skywalk. Construction of the Skywalk began in March 2004 - and was open to the public on 28 March with 120 people allowed on the platform at any one time.

More than 1 million pounds of steel will go into the construction of SkyWalk. The bridge will be able to sustain winds in excess of 100 mph (161km/h) from 8 different directions, as well as an 8.0 magnitude earthquake within 50 miles (80.5km).

The Skywalk can withstand a weight of 71 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes (more than 71 million pounds), allowing for 800 people weighing 175 lbs. (80 kg) each to stand on the bridge; the allowed capacity, though, will be limited to only 120 persons. All visitors will be provided with shoe covers to protect them from slipping and to prevent scratching of the glass floor.


Located at Grand Canyon West’s Eagle Point, The Skywalk facility will also include a 6,000 square-foot visitor’s center on three levels – underground, first story and second story – which will contain a museum, movie theater, VIP lounge, gift shop, and several restaurants and bars, including a high-end restaurant called The Skywalk Café that will offer outdoor patio and rooftop seating on the edge of the canyon. The second story will be where visitors can access The Skywalk glass walkway. The visitor’s center will also offer private indoor and outdoor facilities for meetings, special events and weddings.