The Grand Canyon Skywalk stands as one of the most breathtaking engineering achievements in the American Southwest, offering visitors the chance to walk 70 feet beyond the edge of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, 4,000 feet above the Colorado River below. This horseshoe-shaped glass bridge, located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation at Eagle Point, has become the signature attraction of Grand Canyon West and a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of both the Hualapai Tribe and its visionary developer.
The Vision of David Jin
The story of the Skywalk begins in 1996 when David Jin, a Chinese-American businessman and owner of Oriental Tours Inc. and Y-Travel LLC in Las Vegas, experienced a moment of inspiration while visiting the Grand Canyon. Jin, who had immigrated to the United States from Shanghai in 1988, was already operating successful tour companies that brought tourists—particularly from China—on 2½-hour trips from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon’s west rim.
Jin envisioned creating a platform that would allow visitors to experience the canyon in an entirely new way. As he later described his vision: “Just like an eagle can fly into the Grand Canyon, my vision was to enable visitors to walk the path of the eagle, and become surrounded by the Grand Canyon while standing at the edge of the Glass Bridge”.
A Partnership with the Hualapai Tribe
To bring his dream to reality, Jin approached the Hualapai Tribe with his proposal in 2003. The Hualapai, whose name means “People of the Tall Pines,” have inhabited the western portion of the Grand Canyon for centuries. Their traditional territory encompasses over one million acres along 108 miles of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.
The tribe, facing a 50% unemployment rate and struggling with widespread poverty on their 2,000-resident reservation, saw the Skywalk as an opportunity to generate much-needed economic development. Unlike most Arizona tribes, the Hualapai are not subsidized by the United States Government and rely on tourism as their primary source of revenue.
Jin invested $30 million to build the Skywalk, and the tribe partnered with him in an agreement to split ticket sales profits over 25 years. For the Hualapai, the project represented more than just economic opportunity—it was a chance to share the beauty and cultural significance of their ancestral lands with the world.
Engineering Marvel
Working with architect Mark Ross Johnson and the Las Vegas-based engineering firm Lochsa Engineering, Jin’s initial concept evolved from a simple rectangular walkway into the iconic U-shaped cantilever bridge that exists today. The general contractor, Executive Construction Management of Las Vegas, led by Company Owner and Project Manager Scott Klempke, brought the ambitious design to life.
The Skywalk’s engineering specifications are nothing short of remarkable:
Structural Design: The bridge features inner and outer box beams constructed from two-inch-thick steel plates, creating hollow shapes 32 inches wide and 72 inches deep. These massive beams are supported by eight 32-by-32-inch box posts arranged in pairs on each side of the visitor center.
Foundation: The eight supporting posts are anchored into four large concrete footings, which are in turn secured to the bedrock by ninety-six 2½-inch-diameter high-strength steel threaded rod rock anchors grouted 46 feet deep into the red limestone bedrock. The limestone bedrock of the West Rim can support an impressive 16,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
Glass Components: The 10-foot-wide transparent walkway consists of 46 custom glass panels weighing a combined 83,000 pounds. Each panel is nearly 2.8 inches thick and composed of five layers of Saint-Gobain Diamant low-iron tempered glass bonded together. The panels include a thin “sacrificial” top layer that can be easily removed and replaced if scratched, eliminating the need for a large crane.
Safety Features: The Skywalk can support over 71 million pounds—equivalent to the weight of 71 fully loaded 747 airplanes or approximately 800 people weighing 200 pounds each. However, for safety and comfort, only 60 to 120 people are allowed on the bridge at any given time. The structure is designed to withstand winds up to 100 miles per hour and magnitude 8.0 earthquakes within a 50-mile radius. Three tuned mass dampers specifically calibrated to the location’s wind and weight requirements were placed inside the horseshoe frame to reduce vibrations caused by wind and foot traffic.
Glass Walls: The walkway is framed with 5-foot-2-inch-tall glass walls designed to withstand high wind pressures while providing unobstructed views.
Construction Timeline
Construction of the Skywalk began with a blessing ceremony by the Hualapai Tribe on October 6, 2004. One month later, drilling commenced and continued for 18 months. The 40-foot steel beams were custom-fabricated in Utah, then trucked to the construction site in Arizona.
The Skywalk was assembled on-site at the canyon rim. Once the permanent caps were attached to the eight concrete columns, pieces of the bridge were positioned and welded together—a process that took four months to complete. Engineers used the ancient rod-and-plate method, similar to techniques thought to have been used to build the Egyptian pyramids, to roll the massive structure into place. The rollout took just two days, with the bridge moved halfway out on the first day and completed on the second.
The heavy glass panels were lifted into place using special manipulators equipped with large suction cups designed to handle the substantial weight. Despite challenges including harsh weather conditions, a remote location requiring traversal of 14 miles of dirt road, and virtually nonexistent cell service in 2006-2007, the project team successfully completed the structure.
Historic Opening Ceremony
On March 20, 2007, the Skywalk hosted its first walkers during a grand opening ceremony. The historic first steps were taken by Hualapai tribal members led by the Tribal Council and David Jin, joined by two distinguished guests: Dr. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, and John Herrington, the first Native American astronaut.
“It felt wonderful; not exactly like floating on air,” Aldrin declared after stepping off the deck, calling it a “magnificent first walk”. The symbolism of having astronauts—people who had literally walked beyond Earth—take the first steps on a bridge extending into the void of the Grand Canyon was particularly poignant.
The Skywalk opened to the general public on March 28, 2007. Admission packages ranged from approximately $49.95 to $199.00, with the Skywalk experience included in higher-tier packages.
Cultural Significance at Eagle Point
The Skywalk is located at Eagle Point, a site of profound cultural significance to the Hualapai people. The natural rock formation at Eagle Point resembles an eagle with outstretched wings—a shape that was recognized and named by a Hualapai tribal member. According to Hualapai legend, in ancient times when people lived at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, an eagle flew down to warn them of a great flood. As the eagle flew back up, it stayed near the top of the canyon to watch over the people, then turned to stone where it remains today.
This legend gave additional meaning to David Jin’s vision of enabling visitors to “walk the path of the eagle”. The Skywalk allows people to experience the canyon from the perspective of this sacred bird—soaring out over the void with nothing but glass between them and the abyss below.
Eagle Point features numerous attractions beyond the Skywalk, including a Native American village with authentic housing representing the architectural styles of the Hualapai, Navajo, Plains, Hopi, and Havasupai tribes. An outdoor amphitheater hosts cultural performances by the Hualapai Bird Singers on weekends, featuring traditional songs and dances passed down through generations. The site also includes exhibits on Hualapai history, handcrafted jewelry and art created by tribal members, restaurants serving traditional cuisine, and gift shops.
Controversies and Challenges
The Skywalk project was not without controversy. Within the Hualapai Tribe, some members viewed it as disturbing sacred ground, while supporters saw it as essential economic development. Tribal elders and some community members expressed concerns about future over-development and the lack of sustainability, noting that water had to be trucked in from 200 miles away rather than sourced from the Colorado River.
Environmental groups and former National Park Service officials also criticized the project. Former Grand Canyon National Park superintendent Robert Arnberger described it as “the equivalent of an upscale carnival ride” and questioned the apparent conflict between the tribe’s claims of being the best steward of the Grand Canyon and their decision to pursue “heavy use” development. Some characterized it as a “defacement of a national treasure”.
Tribal leaders countered that the five million people visiting Grand Canyon National Park annually were already overburdening that area, and that the Skywalk provided an alternative destination while generating crucial revenue for their community.
The relationship between David Jin and the Hualapai Tribe eventually became contentious. Disputes arose over an incomplete visitor center and management fees. In early 2012, certain members of the Hualapai Tribal Council invoked eminent domain to seize control of the Skywalk from Jin’s company, Grand Canyon Skywalk Development (GCSD). Jin’s company was awarded $28 million in damages by an arbitration board, a decision upheld in U.S. District Court in February 2013.
Jin filed additional legal actions, including defamation suits against tribal members and the tribe’s public relations firm. The lengthy legal battle raised concerns among observers that such disputes might discourage future investors from working with tribal governments.
David Jin’s Legacy
David Jin passed away on June 13, 2013, at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 51 years old. Despite the legal conflicts at the end of his life, Jin’s contribution to the Hualapai Tribe and the tourism industry of the American Southwest is undeniable.
Since opening in 2007, the Skywalk has attracted millions of visitors—over 2.3 million in its first six years alone. By 2015, Grand Canyon West was drawing over one million visitors annually. The attraction has created hundreds of jobs for members of the Hualapai Tribe and has been instrumental in the economic transformation of their community.
Following Jin’s death, his wife Yvonne Jin took over ownership responsibilities of Grand Canyon Skywalk Development and his tour companies. Ted Quasula, Jin’s longtime business associate and a Hualapai Tribe member, continued to manage operations. In 2020, after three years of litigation, the tribe and Jin’s estate reached a confidential financial settlement that resolved all legal disputes in bankruptcy, tribal, and federal court. The Hualapai Tribe retained management of the Skywalk.
“The Skywalk is an important element in the economic growth and expansion that the Hualapai have enjoyed over the past decade,” said Hualapai Tribal Chairwoman Sherry Counts. “We are thankful for the contribution David Jin and his company GCSD made to develop this wonderful attraction”.
The Skywalk Today
Today, the Grand Canyon Skywalk continues to operate as the centerpiece of Grand Canyon West, located just 118 miles from Las Vegas—approximately a two-hour drive. The West Rim is open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM during summer months (April through September) and from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM during winter months (October through March).
Visitors must purchase an All-Access Pass to enter Grand Canyon West, which includes admission to the Skywalk along with other attractions, cultural experiences, free shuttle service between viewpoints, meal vouchers, and merchandise vouchers. The pass is required for all guests, as Grand Canyon West is located on Hualapai tribal lands and is separate from Grand Canyon National Park—National Park passes do not apply.
For safety and to protect the glass panels, visitors are required to wear protective booties over their shoes. Personal belongings including cameras, cell phones, purses, and backpacks are not allowed on the Skywalk to prevent damage to the glass floor and to avoid items falling into the canyon below. Free lockers are provided for storing belongings. Professional photographers are available to capture souvenir photos, which can be purchased at the gift shop.
In 2011, the Skywalk’s 46 glass panels were replaced for the first time since opening. The new panels, manufactured by Rioglass in Logroño, Spain, were specially designed with bomb-proof strength. A 150-foot crane was brought to the site to lift each 1,800-pound panel into place, with work conducted at night so the attraction could remain open during the day.
Impact and Recognition
The Grand Canyon Skywalk has become not only a major tourist attraction but also a symbol of the Hualapai Tribe’s resilience and determination to chart their own economic future. As tribal elder Dallas Quasula Sr. said at the opening ceremony: “To me, I believe this is going to help us. We don’t get any help from the outside, so, why not? This is going to be our bread and butter”.
The success of the Skywalk helped establish Grand Canyon West as a viable alternative to the often-crowded South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors to the West Rim experience not only spectacular canyon views but also authentic Hualapai culture, traditional performances, and the opportunity to learn about the history and heritage of the People of the Tall Pines.
The project has been featured in numerous documentaries, including a National Geographic special on its construction. It has inspired similar cantilever bridge projects around the world, though the Grand Canyon Skywalk remains one of the most dramatic due to its sheer height and the iconic landscape it overlooks.
A Monument to Vision and Cooperation
The Grand Canyon Skywalk stands as a monument to what can be achieved when vision, engineering expertise, and cultural respect come together. From David Jin’s initial spark of inspiration in 1996 to the first steps taken by astronauts in 2007, the project transformed an idea into a spectacular reality that has welcomed millions of visitors.
For the Hualapai Tribe, the Skywalk represents economic opportunity, cultural pride, and a way to share their ancestral homeland with the world on their own terms. For visitors, it offers an unforgettable experience—the chance to walk beyond the edge of one of nature’s greatest wonders and see the Grand Canyon as eagles do, suspended between earth and sky.
As the glass walkway extends out over the vast expanse of the canyon, 4,000 feet above the ribbon of the Colorado River, it serves as a powerful reminder of human ingenuity, the importance of preserving Indigenous cultures, and the enduring magnificence of the American Southwest.
Plan Your Visit to Grand Canyon West
Desert Wonder Adventures offers convenient tours from Laughlin, Las Vegas, Lake Havasu City, and Kingman to experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk and explore the cultural treasures of the Hualapai Reservation. Our expert guides share the authentic history and stories of Northwest Arizona, connecting you with the region’s rich heritage. Contact us to book your unforgettable journey to walk among the eagles at Grand Canyon West.
Convenient hotel pickup: Harrah’s Laughlin, Don Laughlins Riverside Resort, Tropicana Laughlin, The New Pioneer, Golden Nugget Laughlin, Aquarius and Edgewater.
