The Grand Canyon: Improvements vs Charm
Have you ever returned to location that somehow didn’t live up to that majesty you remembered? Whether a result of different travel companions, a different stage in life, or physical changes at that location, this can often be the case. I experienced all three of these changes recently when I returned to The Grand Canyon. Were these changes for the better? I’ll let you be the judge of that …
Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to visit Grand Canyon West on a couple of occasions. Given the chance, I’d highly recommend adding the Grand Canyon to your bucket list; it’s simply awe-inspiring.
Unlike its siblings at the North and South rims, Grand Canyon West is located exclusively on the nearly 1,000,000 acres of the Hualapai American Indian Reservation, created in 1883, including 108 miles of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. The Hualapai, or “People of The Tall Pines,” are native people of the Southwest.
Grand Canyon West is located within a day-trip of Las Vegas, just beyond the Hoover Dam. This attraction is well worth a stop on your way to the Grand Canyon, but I would recommend parking for free on the Arizona side of the dam instead of paying to park on the Nevada side.
Today, they have finished building a highway that completely bypasses the Hoover Dam. This is a great option for those who no longer need to sit in the often congested traffic on both sides, winding down to and then slowly across the dam. However, if you’ve never experienced it, you really should make a point to check out this marvel of human engineering.
The first time we visited, our directions included “turn off the main road onto an un-maintained dirt road. From here it’s only 40 miles to the Welcome Center, but you CANNOT exceed 20-30 MPH because of the condition of the road”. The road was narrow with many small ditches and medium-sized boulders to navigate through.
Though this made for a much longer drive, we were afforded the ability to take in the beauty of the surrounding area, including the Joshua Tree Forest.
When we returned a few short years later, we arrived at the Welcome Center before we knew it! We thought ‘Wow! What happened to that awful road? And where was that beautiful scenery we saw last time?’ The vastly improved road allowed us to get to our destination much faster, but those newly smoothed-out, wide roads also meant zipping by those picturesque Joshua Trees, which no longer lined the road, but were pushed well back. It also meant newly created “Scenic View Points” to avoid being in the way of oncoming traffic.
After arriving at the Welcome Center, you will need to purchase a tour package to actually see the Grand Canyon. These have remained essentially unchanged over the years, except for the addition of the ability to upgrade to experience the SkyWalk – a glass-floor walkway jutting out of the cliff, 4000 feet above the canyon floor. Each package includes transportation to and from 3 view-points: Hualapai Ranch, Eagle Point, and Guano Point.
Hualapai Ranch is a rebuilt cowboy town, complete with trading post, jail, mine shaft, and horse ranch. There are great views, and lots of opportunities to get some magical photos!
Eagle Point is usually the first of the 2 stops overlooking the Grand Canyon. It gets its name from a natural rock formation of an Eagle.
At this stop you can experience some of the history of the Hualapai, including traditional homes, songs, and dance. You’ll have a great opportunity to interact with some of their members, and if you’re really lucky (like we were) you may even get to take in a private show!
The biggest draw at Eagle Point is now the Skywalk, which repurposed some of the overlook to build a glass-floor 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. It really does provide some stunning views that you can’t get anywhere else, and I’d definitely recommend doing it once!
The final stop in the tour package is usually reserved for Guano Point, named after the old guano mine located on the site. The views from this peninsula are spectacular!
Have you ever returned to a prior destination to find it different than how you remembered it? Were the improvements for the better, or did it lose some of its charm? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
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We always dreamed to visit The Grand Canyon and thanks to your blog post we have virtually explore it! It is amazing what nature can do, such a great and wild place.
Hang Around The World recently posted…Monaco di Baviera
So true, and you definitely should visit it in person … there’s just something magical there!
I am woefully terrible at traveling in the United States but great idea to head to Grand Canyon West. It looks amazing. It is always the worst when you visit a place and are kind of disappointed. That happened to me at Niagra Falls. The falls were beautiful but the strip malls next to it, not so much. Thanks for the great post.
You’re absolutely right about Niagara Falls! It’s always too bad when something doesn’t live up to the hype, or the memory
Great post and awesome pictures! The Grand Canyon is in my bucket list when I’ll afford a trip to the USA. I’ll suggest to my brother that is coming in August. I had similar disappointments visiting places after 30 years in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Before they were wild now big buildings, parkings, new roads…Better chosing other destinations..;)
So true, sometimes it’s best to live with the amazing memories you have and continue to explore new places!
Ive visited Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon 4 years ago while I was on my American Road Trip! Such an amazing place! I would love to go back especially to see Skywalk as I haven’t had chance get there last time!
The SkyWalk is definitely an amazing experience .. .they say people faint out there all the time!
I’m getting so many Westworld feels from your photos! We’ve been to Vegas several time but I don’t think I’ve ever visited Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon. Great tip on the free parking on the Arizona side, noted for when we do visit this majestic place. The views on the Skywalk must be amazing like you said but it looks so scary from the side!
We started taking day-trips from our Vegas vacations and this one was one of the first; I highly recommend it! The SkyWalk is definitely amazing, but the views and ability to walk right up to the edge of the canyon everywhere else is also a big thrill!
Wow! Amazing photos! I’m afraid of heights, so that photo of people standing on the overhang was a bit scary to me! LOL.
A few yrs ago I visit a retreat place that I vacationed at every summer as a child and teenager and then worked at as a young adult. I hadn’t been back in about 20 yrs. It was different. I get that the modern improvements were needed, but it took some of the rustic charm with it when the improvements were made. I’m glad that it’s still there, though, so that kids and their families can make their own special memories of the place.
I loved how you put that … the rustic charm is missing, but the bigger picture is that at least the place remains for others to make memories.
Wow! These beautiful pictures brought back great memories of a family trip to Grand Canyon a few years ago. Thank you, Bruce! It’s good to hear that there will be new improvements soon for Grand Canyon visitors.
So glad you enjoyed the pictures, Tanya! Thank you so much for your comments
that looks really amazing! Especially the photo where you took a picture from the observation deck; it’s rare to see the dimension of the Grand Canyon THAT well! Some month ago I went to L.A. and I was starring out of the window to see if I can see the Canyon but now, after seeing your photos, I am sure IF we flew over, I MUST have seen it… too bad I didn’t
I’ve been guilty of doing the same thing while flying out west … then 1 time we actually did fly right over the canyon, and there was definitely no mistaking it!
I have a special memory about Grand Canyon. When I wanted to visit it in October 2013 it was closed because of government shutdown. So I should revisit some time possible. Then already in new improved state. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, definitely return, it’s worth visiting … it’s too bad you didn’t get to see it in 2013!
One of a kind spot. I did not know that they also show you the history of Hualapai. The costumes are really impressive. Did you find the skywalk scary?
Yes, the added benefit of learning about the Hualapai was definitely a bonus! I don’t know I’d say it was scary … maybe a little uneasy, but I definitely felt safe the whole time. They say people faint all the time out on the glass floor because it’s a lot higher than you’d think!
I like the photos of people wearing traditional outfits.
I have been to different beaches here in the Philippines. I visited some of them last year. I noticed a lot of changes which made me think that I don’t want to go there again. There are beaches which have became commercialized too much. They’ve put up fast food chains and international coffee shops. The experience of going there was like going to a mall.
Yes, that’s the risk of returning places … if it’s become too commercialized it definitely takes away from what it once was.
One place in the States, that I haven’t been to but always wanted to see. Great photos.
Thanks so much Julie, I hope you get to visit there soon!
The views OMG! I could not take my eyes off some pics, they were simply marvellous. I cannot wait to start visiting the US. The blog was simply awesome. Great job!
Yaswanth recently posted…Yogyakarta
Thank you so much for those very kind words! I hope your travels bring you to US/Canada very soon
Extraordinary photos! There are so many great places to visit in the USA and the Grand Canyon makes it the top of the list!
Thank you very much! It’s immediately clear why it’s considered a natural wonder of the world!
Amazing pictures! Reminded me on the cartoon “Road Runner und Wile E. Coyote”. Nevertheless will never stop to surprise me!
Kate, http://elysianmoment.com
You’re so right Kate! I have that feeling every time i find myself in that area of the US
Wow, totally love this article and your pictures are amazing. I was there when I was a little girl, but so many years ago and see there was alot changed since then. Thanks for sharing
You’re very welcome Lisa; glad I could rekindle those memories for you