This is a question that I have read many times on chat forums during the past year, is the Grand Canyon Skywalk for real? The idea of this structure sounds way too radical. Its design consists of a horseshoe-shaped, glass bottomed walkway that will jut out 70 feet from the edge of the canyon, 4000 feet above the Colorado River! If that doesn’t sound scary, you must have nerves of steel.

However, despite all the hype, skeptics started voicing their opinions. Can this be for real, or is it just a desperate attempt to attract tourists to the less visited - Grand Canyon West Rim?

The skeptic’s voices became louder after several insurance companies refused to insure this project. This was too big of a risk to take. What if there was a design error or a faulty part on the walkway, causing it to malfunction or even collapse? Who would want to insure a structure that has never been built before and involves a high level of risk?

After several attempts, an insurance company was willing to insure the project and construction was to begin. I still had doubts myself about whether this project would ever get off the ground because the completion date kept getting pushed back. It was originally scheduled to open in January of 2006, followed by the 4th quarter of 2006 and the last I heard was March of 2007. Well, I had to see it for myself. I have always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon, so my family and I decided to visit the Grand Canyon for this year’s family vacation.

We flew to Arizona, drove for hundreds of miles and finally arrived at Grand Canyon West. This is a small settlement, operated and owned by the Hualapai Indians and also home to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. We purchased tickets to tour the area.

After arriving at the second location within Grand Canyon West - Eagle Point, I saw a large fenced-in area. I peeked through the fence and saw a horseshoe-shaped metal frame on stands. It was the Grand Canyon Skywalk in its early stages of construction! I can now sleep at night, knowing that it really does exist.

A visitor center will be constructed and act as the entrance for the Skywalk as well as a gift shop, restaurant and banquet facilities.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is definitely real and will provide an experience of the Grand Canyon that no one has ever experienced before.

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