Hualapai Hilltop
Hualapai Hilltop
4
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In the Grand Canyon, at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet, this hilltop is located in the scenic Havasupai Indian Reservation area.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Staidthere
Jakarta, Indonesia2,647 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
When the Hualapai ("People of the Tall Trees") tribe failed to earn a sustainable profit from a casino or a guano mine that involved a cable crossing the Canyon (that eventually snagged a low-flying airplane), they constructed the Skywalk. The entire Hualapai Hilltop and the Skywalk, Guano Point, and Eagle Point, are Hualapai tribal areas that are administered quite differently from the Grand Canyon South Rim. For example:
- Visitors, including selfie addicts, are free to fall into the canyon in many areas that would have been denied to them in the South Rim. So (with the exception of a few obvious areas) most of the canyon area looks just like it did thousands of years ago
- Hordes of visitors, especially from overseas, come and pay the rather large (considering the facilities) entrance fee, hopefully providing a profit for members of the reportedly impoverished Hualapai tribe who in 2000, according to their website, numbered only 1,353 persons living on the reservation.
- The Hualapai workers that we met were exceptionally friendly and helpful
- Representative dwellings of various tribes were constructed near Eagle Point, but most visitors will find them unnecessary and unspectacular compared to the canyon, unless they are explained by tour guides
- When you reach the hilltop and pay the fee, you can move around the vast area only on official buses, which is convenient unless you miss the last bus
- I assume that all of the facilities and services are built and provided by contractors to the tribal council which has a monopoly ownership of the area.
- Most visitors comment that the fees and prices are comparatively high for the facilities (not for the one-of-a-kind canyon views), although it is quite hard to compare because all power is generated and all drinking water and wastewater have to be transported in and out of the area.
- We feel that, unless you are stoned, the Skywalk is not worth the cost and nuisance to visit because views from the crowded, narrow glass-bottomed balcony are no more magical than what you see when you stand alone right next to it at the edge of the canyon.
Even though it is expensive, we feel the area--minus the Skywalk--is well worth a visit because there is nothing else like it. Our favorite viewing area was Guano Point. We feel that more and more visitors will come, and crowd control will increase and continue to interfere with enjoyment of the natural beauty. See it while it's still relatively unspoiled.
- Visitors, including selfie addicts, are free to fall into the canyon in many areas that would have been denied to them in the South Rim. So (with the exception of a few obvious areas) most of the canyon area looks just like it did thousands of years ago
- Hordes of visitors, especially from overseas, come and pay the rather large (considering the facilities) entrance fee, hopefully providing a profit for members of the reportedly impoverished Hualapai tribe who in 2000, according to their website, numbered only 1,353 persons living on the reservation.
- The Hualapai workers that we met were exceptionally friendly and helpful
- Representative dwellings of various tribes were constructed near Eagle Point, but most visitors will find them unnecessary and unspectacular compared to the canyon, unless they are explained by tour guides
- When you reach the hilltop and pay the fee, you can move around the vast area only on official buses, which is convenient unless you miss the last bus
- I assume that all of the facilities and services are built and provided by contractors to the tribal council which has a monopoly ownership of the area.
- Most visitors comment that the fees and prices are comparatively high for the facilities (not for the one-of-a-kind canyon views), although it is quite hard to compare because all power is generated and all drinking water and wastewater have to be transported in and out of the area.
- We feel that, unless you are stoned, the Skywalk is not worth the cost and nuisance to visit because views from the crowded, narrow glass-bottomed balcony are no more magical than what you see when you stand alone right next to it at the edge of the canyon.
Even though it is expensive, we feel the area--minus the Skywalk--is well worth a visit because there is nothing else like it. Our favorite viewing area was Guano Point. We feel that more and more visitors will come, and crowd control will increase and continue to interfere with enjoyment of the natural beauty. See it while it's still relatively unspoiled.
Written January 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill S
Scottsdale, AZ14 contributions
Feb 2018
The Hilltop is pretty much a parking lot, the start of a hike to the Supai Village or catch a helicopter to the bottom.
Not sure why this is even available to review.
Not much to see here, unless you are headed to the Supai Village - no reason to drive the 60 mile (one way) road to get here!
The view from the hilltop is pretty good!
Not sure why this is even available to review.
Not much to see here, unless you are headed to the Supai Village - no reason to drive the 60 mile (one way) road to get here!
The view from the hilltop is pretty good!
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandon G
Indianapolis, IN11 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
The views of the canyon were amazing, absolutely breath taking! On the tour that we took of the Hualapai reservation, there are two different view points where we were able to view the canyon. Of the two locations Eagle Point and Guano Point, Guano allowed for small amount of hiking, which was really enjoyable. Just be careful,
Written August 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorkBad
Bend, OR53 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Before getting to my review bare in mind that we have spent time in the Grand Canyon National Park which is beautifully maintained, clean, free of trash and other than a parking fee - free. Now to review. We traveled to West Rim of Grand Canyon on the Hualapai Reservation with another couple. Regardless of your mode of travel, tour bus, private car etc you CANNOT drive anywhere near the canyon like you can at the GCNP. You are forced to park and then pay a minimum of just under $50 to be transported by the tribe in a bus. If you want to walk on the sky bridge the price goes up to just over $70. They offer another package with the above plus dining (more on dining in a bit) that is around $100.
The lines for tickets and for the sky bridge each took well over 30 minutes. There is no hustle here as they strategically wind you through a gift shop before you’re able to purchase tickets.
You cannot take anything on the sky bridge - no camera, no phone, etc. they provide the only free thing on the trip (lockers). Once on the sky bridge they have several photographers who are happy to take your picture for nearly $20 a piece. The photographers are borderline rude if you aren’t buying pictures - they crowd you and ask you to move for picture buying customers.
Restaurant at the sky bridge - approximately 1/2 the tables were empty but it still took 15 minutes to be seated. After seated it took 10 minutes to get water or a waitress. Another 5 to place our order. After ordering it took 30 MINUTES to receive our orders (only after asking where our food was. We ordered easy food: French fries, Mac n’ cheese, salad and a bowl of soup. All the food was room temperature. I mentioned it to the manager who was making her rounds. She just said sorry and moved on. We asked for a split bill, they couldn’t figure out how to do it. Food taste due to temperature I couldn’t recommend.
Infrastructure - none. No paved trails at canyon rim like GCNP. No guard rails, lookouts, etc. Dirt trails are fine but they aren’t maintained and loose rocks, etc are a real hazard at spots.
Scattered about the buildings and various spots along the rim was all manner of debris, wrappers, etc.
Unfortunately I can’t touch on everything in the space here. I always like to say something positive when reviewing but I’m lacking this time.
The positive reviews have to be from people that haven’t visited the GCNP. I cannot recommend visiting this section of the GC. Sad that such a beautiful resource is so mismanaged and commercialized.
The lines for tickets and for the sky bridge each took well over 30 minutes. There is no hustle here as they strategically wind you through a gift shop before you’re able to purchase tickets.
You cannot take anything on the sky bridge - no camera, no phone, etc. they provide the only free thing on the trip (lockers). Once on the sky bridge they have several photographers who are happy to take your picture for nearly $20 a piece. The photographers are borderline rude if you aren’t buying pictures - they crowd you and ask you to move for picture buying customers.
Restaurant at the sky bridge - approximately 1/2 the tables were empty but it still took 15 minutes to be seated. After seated it took 10 minutes to get water or a waitress. Another 5 to place our order. After ordering it took 30 MINUTES to receive our orders (only after asking where our food was. We ordered easy food: French fries, Mac n’ cheese, salad and a bowl of soup. All the food was room temperature. I mentioned it to the manager who was making her rounds. She just said sorry and moved on. We asked for a split bill, they couldn’t figure out how to do it. Food taste due to temperature I couldn’t recommend.
Infrastructure - none. No paved trails at canyon rim like GCNP. No guard rails, lookouts, etc. Dirt trails are fine but they aren’t maintained and loose rocks, etc are a real hazard at spots.
Scattered about the buildings and various spots along the rim was all manner of debris, wrappers, etc.
Unfortunately I can’t touch on everything in the space here. I always like to say something positive when reviewing but I’m lacking this time.
The positive reviews have to be from people that haven’t visited the GCNP. I cannot recommend visiting this section of the GC. Sad that such a beautiful resource is so mismanaged and commercialized.
Written April 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minxy65
Manchester, UK163 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Visited the west side, skywalk was closed due to weather (not there fault) but not given the option of a refund or another day to visit - badly organised lack of communication between the staff and visitor wasn’t told it was closed until we got on the bus. Would of been nice to have option of another visit day. Think if you are visiting this for the skywalk then get the ticket on the day than waste the money of it being cancelled. Would not visit this again. Although the Canyon is amazing would go to the other side.
Written July 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill S
5 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
The hilltop is the start / finish to travel to the Havasupai Village. Hike, Mule, or Helicopter to the village. The views from the Hilltop are pretty good, although the 60 miles on the road from Rte 66 is a bit much if you are not going to the falls!
This is really just a (somewhat crowded) parking lot!
This is really just a (somewhat crowded) parking lot!
Written May 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BhawaniPathania
Mumbai, India3,762 contributions
Jun 2016 • Business
Ignore the fleecing by the son of the soil in terms of charges. Ignore the super hyped skywalk. Ignore the lousy lunch that you get as a part of the package. But what follows is class apart..
Great views from the Eagle and Guano points. Breathtaking. And of course, a glimpse into the lives of the Native Indians. And their history and culture.
An experience to be cherished.
Great views from the Eagle and Guano points. Breathtaking. And of course, a glimpse into the lives of the Native Indians. And their history and culture.
An experience to be cherished.
Written June 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha R
Sydney, Australia73 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
I was reluctant to visit as I thought it would be just 'a whole in the ground' - but boy was I wrong! This place is truly awesome and incredible to see what the forces of nature can create. So glad we visited the west rim and got to experience the Hualapai tribal culture and experience. The tour offered more than I expected however, we did not pay the extra to go on the skywalk - this is overpriced and overrated. Guano Point is worth the walk and climb up the hill. Freaked me out how 'open' the site is and how easily one could 'slip' - take care - especially with winds around - don't go too close to the edge!
The men at the ranch were wonderful! Native Americans who were so incredibly nice and helpful and helped my daughter with her first horse ride where she held onto the reigns herself unassisted. I didn't like the look of the lunch offered in the tour cost. Glad we bought our own from 'WHOLE FOODS' Las Vegas. Loved the opportunity to see the indians in their local dress, but admit that sometimes they seemed a little tired having to 'dance' their traditional dance. Great to see the tee pee set ups and the indians with their feather head dresses. Great for kids to see! The buses take you to and from the different spots and you can go round as many times as you like! Take time to take in the awesomeness of the place. Kinda wish I had spent some more 'quiet' time taking it all in, away from the crowds. Take a jacket with you, the winds can get breezy and very cold as the sun starts to set! Would love to see this majestic, awesome place again!
The men at the ranch were wonderful! Native Americans who were so incredibly nice and helpful and helped my daughter with her first horse ride where she held onto the reigns herself unassisted. I didn't like the look of the lunch offered in the tour cost. Glad we bought our own from 'WHOLE FOODS' Las Vegas. Loved the opportunity to see the indians in their local dress, but admit that sometimes they seemed a little tired having to 'dance' their traditional dance. Great to see the tee pee set ups and the indians with their feather head dresses. Great for kids to see! The buses take you to and from the different spots and you can go round as many times as you like! Take time to take in the awesomeness of the place. Kinda wish I had spent some more 'quiet' time taking it all in, away from the crowds. Take a jacket with you, the winds can get breezy and very cold as the sun starts to set! Would love to see this majestic, awesome place again!
Written November 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1980mp1980
surrey, UK200 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
We visited here whilst in USA for two weeks travelling from LA, to Palm Springs and Las Vegas. I was travelling with my partner and two children, aged 13 and 5. My second time to this part of the Canyon and my favourite part. However this has become very over commercial since my visit 4 yrs ago.
The entry fee of $30 is fine but then you add tax and local service fee so its more like $40 plus another $40 for the skywalk. This isn’t the best value in my opinion however a good afternoon out.
Some of the roads to the canyon are not great but this added to the enjoyment and adventure. Once at the Indian Canyon you are bused around however this causes massive queues in high season.
Good shop and ok food on site.
I tried to book accommodation in the West rim 6 months before my Aug holiday to no avail – so if you want to stay there book well ahead! We ended up driving from Vegas on the morning and staying in Kingman that night,
The entry fee of $30 is fine but then you add tax and local service fee so its more like $40 plus another $40 for the skywalk. This isn’t the best value in my opinion however a good afternoon out.
Some of the roads to the canyon are not great but this added to the enjoyment and adventure. Once at the Indian Canyon you are bused around however this causes massive queues in high season.
Good shop and ok food on site.
I tried to book accommodation in the West rim 6 months before my Aug holiday to no avail – so if you want to stay there book well ahead! We ended up driving from Vegas on the morning and staying in Kingman that night,
Written August 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RICART75
Peru, IN2,082 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
It was interesting to see some of the lodging examples, and learn a bit about their history.
There were also some tribal members demonstrating native songs and dance.
Being somewhat cold outside, unfortunately, very few people were observing the perfomance.
Note: this part of the west rim experience was not very well advertised (at least, not to us). If we had not taken the elevator exit from the skywalk; we would not have heard the singing, and walked over to explore its source.
There were also some tribal members demonstrating native songs and dance.
Being somewhat cold outside, unfortunately, very few people were observing the perfomance.
Note: this part of the west rim experience was not very well advertised (at least, not to us). If we had not taken the elevator exit from the skywalk; we would not have heard the singing, and walked over to explore its source.
Written November 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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