Helicopter tours in Grand Canyon
Going on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is an exhilarating highlight for tourists in Las Vegas. This adventure offers a unique aerial perspective of one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. As you soar over the rugged landscape, the breathtaking views of the steep canyon walls and expansive vistas unfold below.
Before you take to the skies, it’s crucial to review your options. Helicopter tours vary in cost, duration, and departure points, offering distinct experiences—from the vast South Rim views to exclusive West Rim landings. Understanding the details, such as timing, weight restrictions, and available discounts, will ensure your Grand Canyon flight is a memorable part of your trip.
Grand Canyon West Bus Tour with Upgrades
Cheapest aerial tour
Grand Canyon Heli Flight with Colorado River Kayak
Cost of helicopter tours
The cheapest Grand Canyon helicopter ride costs US$289 per person.
And at the higher end, the tickets can go up to US$699 per person.
Prices of helicopter flights in the canyon depend on three factors.
- Amount of time you spend in the air
- The time of flight. For instance, early morning flights tend to be cheaper
- If the heli ride is part of a combo tour. For example, a kayak ride over the Colorado River.
If you want the best aerial tour of the national park’s skyline, check out the Grand Canyon West bus tour with Hoover Dam, meals and upgrades.
Image: Viator
Things to know before booking your tour
Besides a ride in a state-of-the-art helicopter with a cabin with climate control, you also get free inflight narration.
If different passengers request more than two languages on the same flight, the audio commentary defaults to English.
All local taxes and service fees are part of the tour cost.
Depending on the tour you opt for, there may be additional inclusions.
For instance, if you book the Grand Canyon West bus tour with upgrades, a West shuttle bus, lunch, and a walk on the Skywalk are also included.
- Gratuities (which are optional)
- Souvenir photos
- Fuel surcharge
- Lunch (except the tours which provide optional lunch)
However, some tours may include one of the above. For example, this Grand Canyon West bus tour with Hoover Dam includes lunch.
Depending on the tour you choose, some tours may not be refundable in the event of cancellation.
For a full refund on the refundable tours, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.
No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.
Air tours require good weather.
If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.
Helicopter tour timings
Helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon take flight seven days a week, with the earliest departures lifting off at 6.30 am and continuing throughout the day until 6.15 pm.
For an unforgettable experience, consider timing your flight to coincide with sunset for breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon bathed in golden light.
Which helicopter tour is best for you?
Air time: 45 minutes
Pilot’s narrative: Yes
This flight takes you from South Rim to the North Rim. From a luxurious angle, see the world’s largest ponderosa pines in Kaibab National Forest, the mighty Colorado River, Painted Desert, Desert View Watchtower, Marble Canyon, Point Imperial, and finally through the widest and deepest section of the national park – the Dragon Corridor. Choose from a wide range of flight options.
Air time: 3 hours
Pilot’s narrative: Yes
Air time: 4 hours
Pilot’s narrative: Yes
Take off from Las Vegas to the national park to explore the world-famous attraction along with the Lake Mead and Hoover Dam from air. Make a landing deep in the canyon for an on-ground feel of the site. Make the experience one for the books with a Champagne toast. With a 45-minute airtime, you get ample aerial views. The tour comes with hotel transfers in Las Vegas and drinks and snacks on a private bluff inside the Grand Canyon.
Heliports & helicopters
From where do helicopters take off
More than eighty percent of Grand Canyon chopper flights take off from Las Vegas.
Air tours from Las Vegas fly out from one of these three heliports –
1. McCarran airport
McCarran Airport is 10 minutes from downtown Las Vegas, and a taxi ride from the Strip costs US$15. However, most hotels offer shuttle service to the airport.
2. Henderson executive eirport
Henderson Executive Airport is 27 kms (17 miles) from the Las Vegas strip, and you can reach it in 25 minutes.
An equal number of Grand Canyon helicopters and tours take off from this heliport.
3. Boulder city airport
Boulder City Airport is 30 km (19 miles) from Las Vegas and usually takes half an hour by car.
All heli tours starting from Boulder City offer a pickup and drop, so the distance is not something to worry about.
Tourists can also board Grand Canyon helicopter tours from Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, Tusayan, and Laughlin in Nevada.
How to reach the heliports
The heliports are located near public transportation.
Most heli tours also offer hotel transfers for the convenience of travelers.
How many people in one helicopter?
Generally, tourist helicopters are either four-seaters or six-seaters.
Depending on the tour you opt for and the number of passengers booked on the helicopter ride, you may get a four or a six-seater.
Therefore, sometimes a minimum of two and sometimes four passengers are required for the heli tour to be confirmed.
Note: Before takeoff, the pilot and the ground staff will ensure the passengers’ weight is distributed evenly in the aircraft. To achieve this balance, they may even seat you in the middle. Sitting in the middle may affect your view, but not so much as to risk your safety.
Are the heliports and helicopters accessible?
Most Grand Canyon air rides are not wheelchair accessible (except the West rim heli tour and South rim heli tour)
The tours are not recommended for pregnant travelers and guests with heart, back, or other serious medical problems.
Restrictions strictly followed
- Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable Grand Canyon heli tours. Passengers exceeding the weight limit must purchase an additional seat payable directly to the tour operator on the day of the trip.
- Individual passenger weights, including that of infants, must be advised at time of booking
- A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, they will be canceled.
- Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.
- No personal items such as mobile phones, cameras, backpacks and purses are allowed on the Skywalk.
- We recommend you bring sunglasses, sunscreen, towels, and hats for the Kayak Tour.
- Ticket rates apply for all passengers ages 2 years and above.
- A valid passport is required.
- No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.
- Check in at least 30 minutes early.
- Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.
- Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
Want to fly over Grand Canyon at sunset?
Grand Canyon is one of the best places in the world to catch a sunset. Witnessing it in the sunset from a helicopter is breathtaking, peaceful, and overwhelming. The setting sun creates celestial hues against nature’s massive canvas.
Cost of the tour (12+ years): US$674 per person
How about a staycation in the Canyon?
An adventure from beginning to the end – a scenic drive from Las Vegas to the national park, where you spend a night in a Western-style cabin and go back rejuvenated to the Sin City on a helicopter flight. Dinner and breakfast included.
Cost of the tour (12+ years): US$949 per head
South Rim or West Rim – which helicopter tour to book?
The Grand Canyon is divided into West Rim, South Rim, North Rim, and the East Rim.
The more accessible West Rim and the remote South Rim are two of the most popular destinations at Grand canyon.
If it is your first time to Grand Canyon, it is better to book a South Rim helicopter tour and enjoy its breathtaking scenic beauty.
The Grand Canyon helicopters aren’t allowed to fly below this rim or land on the bottom, but they fly through the stunning Dragoon Corridor, the Canyon’s broadest and deepest section.
The National Park Service manages the South Rim, which also boasts numerous hotels, restaurants, and cultural experiences.
More than 5 million explore the South Rim annually.
The Grand Canyon West region is equally good but less famous.
It attracts two million tourists annually and is also referred to as Grand Canyon Lite.
The Hualapai Indians manage it, and the star attraction of Grand Canyon West is the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
The West Rim offers more adventure, such as helicopter tours landing on the canyon floor and boat trips on the Colorado River.
More Grand Canyon Experiences
1
West Heli Tour with Boat Ride
An aerial ride over the West Rim with a landing on the Canyon floor and a 15-minute boat ride on the Colorado River. Upgrade to a meal-inclusive tour package.
2
South Rim Tour
A guided, full-day sightseeing adventure in the South Rim. Upgrade for an IMAX movie and/or hummer tour of the canyon rim. Lunch and Las Vegas hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
3
Extended West Rim Heli Tour
A 90-minute West Rim flight passing by Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Fortification Hill. Includes Hotel pickup and drop-off included from Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions
For first timers, the South Rim is highly recommended, offering iconic, sweeping views from the air. Here, helicopter tours soar through the Dragon Corridor—the widest and deepest part of the Canyon—providing a mesmerizing spectacle of nature’s grandeur. Although flights don’t descend to the canyon floor, the South Rim has many amenities such as hotels, restaurants, and cultural experiences.
On the other hand, the West Rim, managed by the Hualapai Tribe, presents a different flavor of adventure. It’s home to the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge that extends out over the canyon for heart-stopping views. West Rim tours often include the unique opportunity to land on the canyon floor and may even pair the helicopter ride with boat trips on the Colorado River, making it ideal for those seeking a more adventurous visit.
The number of participants in a helicopter tour in NYC will depend on the size of the helicopter, but many tours can accommodate between 4 to 6 passengers.
Grand Canyon morning heli tours (before noon) offer the best experience because of better visibility and smoother flight. During summer, temperatures reach up to 37 degrees Celcius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) in the West Rim. The South Rim’s summer temperatures are cooler as it is 6,000 feet above sea level. These high temperatures don’t affect you much unless you book a tour involving a Rim landing. As the day progresses, the air over the Grand Canyon gets hazy affecting visibility, and the wind starts blowing, making the flight turbulent. If you visit during the summer months (especially July, August, and September), starting earlier helps you avoid the afternoon thunderstorms.
With so many helicopter tours available, it is normal to get overwhelmed.
There are three factors you must consider before booking your aerial tour of Grand Canyon –
1. How much time do you have?
2. Do you want to explore Grand Canyon South Rim or Grand Canyon West Rim?
3. Do you want to include an adventure activity to your Grand Canyon helicopter tour?
Usually companies provide headphones to all passengers. These often serve the dual purpose of reducing noise from the helicopter’s rotor blades and allowing passengers to hear information from the pilot during the tour.
The shortest helicopter tours last at least 45-minute. Most tours span 3-4 hours. However, some may offer extended tours lasting up to a whole day.
If you are holidaying in the region and have one day to explore the Grand Canyon, a helicopter tour is totally worth your money. The Grand Canyon offers stunning visuals, and the best way to appreciate its size and grandeur is from above. Even a short helicopter tour will give you a better understanding of the Canyon’s depth and complexity than you can achieve just standing on the rim.
Reputable avaition companies adhere to strict safety regulations, including regular maintenance checks, safety briefings before each flight, and ensuring pilots are well-trained and licensed.
All pilots operating commercial helicopter tours in Gran Canyon should be properly licensed and trained. Most companies will provide information about their pilots’ experience.
Yes, taking photos or videos is usually allowed and encouraged. However, selfie sticks and large camera equipment may not be permitted for safety reasons.
Still have questions? email us at travel@thebettervacation.com
Popular helicopter tour companies
Maverick Helicopter Tours
With over 28 years of experience, Maverick Helicopters is one of the largest aviation-based tourism companies in the world. The company has been a proud recipient of 12 consecutive “Diamond Awards” of Excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is serviceable in seven locations in Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and California. The company runs the world’s largest fleet of Airbus 130 helicopters and the West Coast’s largest Sikorsky S-76 charter aircraft fleet. Visit Maverick Helicopters for more information.
5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
5 Star Grand Canyon and Las Vegas Helicopter Tours are an FAA Certified Part 135 Helicopter Tour Agency. The company is one of the top players of helicopters tours throughout Southern Nevada including Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Valley Of Fire and the Grand Canyon. The company is well-known for its highly experienced tour pilots and consistently top-rated customer reviews. Visit 5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours for more information.
Papillon Helicopters
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters is the largest Grand Canyon helicopter tours company in the world. Founded in 1965, the company is also the most experienced tour operator flying to the Grand Canyon. Papillon Helicopters own three exclusive landing sites on the floor of the canyon and has been a recipient of an array of awards for its excellence and commitment to safety protocols of the tours. Visit Papillon Helicopters for more information.
Gray Line Las Vegas
Since 1910, Gray Line Las Vegas has been a pioneer helicopter tour operator in over 700 locations, spanning six continents. With an impeccable customer service, the company has been a trusted name in the sightseeing sector and provide a top-of-the-line aerial experience. Visit Gray Line Las Vegas for more details.
Sweetours
Despite being a relatively newer name in the aerial sightseeing tour industry, Sweetours has rapidly emerged as a reputable helicopter tour provider. Since 2000, the company has been ever-expanding its customer network and employing the state-of-the-art technology to remain updated with the modern advancements. Visit Sweetours for more details.
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