| Where is the
Grand Canyon West Rim?
It is easy to confuse West Rim Drive, which
is a South Rim scenic drive, with the West Rim.
Most visitors never see this part of the canyon—about
90% of visitors go to the South Rim and most
of the remaining 10% to the North Rim. The West
Rim area is not a part of the park, and it is
not administered by the National Park Service.
 The
West Rim is home to the Hualapai
(pronounced wall-a-pie) Indian Tribe.
It is one of the most scenic areas of the canyon,
more remote and less developed. Access is granted
by the Hualapai Tribe. If you have already been
to the South or North Rim, you would find a
quite different aspect of the canyon at the
West Rim. Most visitors choose to go as part
of a tour that has been granted visitation permissions
rather than securing their own.
For those who would like to experience this
more primitive part of the canyon, we recommend
the Grand
Canyon West Indian Adventure. It is a 5-hour
tour that leaves from Las Vegas by airplane,
flies over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and over the
park to GC West Airport. From there a motorcoach
provides a guided tour of beautiful views along
the West Rim, and visitors have an opportunity
to learn about this special area that is home
to the Hualapai. Guests also enjoy an Indian
prepared barbecue lunch right at the rim. It
will be a memorable addition to your other Grand
Canyon adventures.
Another area that is not quite West Rim or
North Rim is the Tuweep area.
it lies north of the Colorado River and Hualapai
lands in the Northwest part of the canyon. What
sets this area apart? Think primitive and undeveloped--by
intention. Sharp rocks in the road bed, dangerous
unmarked curves, and flash floods are a few
of the getting there hazards. Roads are unsuitable
for RV's, trailers, and low clearance vehicles.
It takes 2-3 hours travel to get here from the
highway that cuts through the Arizona Strip.
 Tuweep,
also known as Toroweap, showcases unique lava
structures that were formed later in the canyon's
development. The Toroweap overlook on the Grand
Canyon North West Rim is a
photographer's paradise for its contrasting
views of black volcanic formations to the west,
red rock shale and sandstone to the east, the
renowned Lava Falls Rapids visible just downstream—and
its sheer 3000 foot drop.
The geologist will find fascinating history
in the lava flow dams that formed ancient high
water lakes between the canyons, leaving intriguing
remnants behind. The adjacent valley overlies
a natural fault that crosses the Colorado River.
The ecologist will see beauty in the lava formed
valley rich with chaparral plant life, grasses,
cacti, and vivid wildflowers. Few places have
its rare crusty black "cryptobiotic"
soil filled with fragile living organisms--don't
step on them! Wildlife is abundant—coyotes,
mule deer, jackrabbits, rodents, birds, and
reptiles. Spring rains bring to life a rare
biotic community of fairy and horseshoe shrimp,
tiny frogs, and microscopic organisms.
Tuweep is high desert (4600 feet) with hot
summers and mild winters. It sits on a landform
known as the Esplanade, which forms a flat shelf
between the pine forests of the North Rim and
the hot canyon bottom.
"Leave No Trace" is the rule here.
Carry in, carry out--your own gas, food, water,
firewood, wastes. Bring a good spare and tools
to repair your vehicle. Eleven primitive no-fee
campsites are available on a first come basis.
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