A helicopter tour is a great way to explore the Grand Canyon West Rim.
It is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience, during which you soar over the skies to see the deepest and widest part of the Canyon, built by the Colorado River in Arizona.
Besides the helicopter ride over one of the seven natural wonders of the World, visitors also enjoy many activities at the West Rim.
This article covers everything you must know before booking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour over the West Rim.
Top Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter rides
# Coach Tour from Vegas, with helicopter landing
# Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour
Table of contents
Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter tours
More than 80% of all Grand Canyon helicopter tours get booked by visitors in Las Vegas.
There are three types of helicopter tours one can book for Grand Canyon West –
Non-stop helicopter tours: These don’t land in the Grand Canyon. The helicopters take off from Las Vegas, and after you have spent time exploring the natural wonder from the air, you fly back to the city.
Tours with landing: These helicopter tours include a Rim landing or a landing on the Grand Canyon floor. They are usually accompanied by a glass of champagne or a picnic.
Helicopter tours with activities: Besides airtime above the Grand Canyon West, these tours also include other adventure activities.
Below we have enlisted some of the best and highly rated Grand Canyon West Rim heli rides:
Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour
This four-hour tour of Grand Canyon West Rim starts with a hotel pickup and a drive to the heliport in Boulder City.
After the 30 minutes drive from Las Vegas to Boulder City, you will board a chopper for a 70-minute flight to the Grand Canyon.
As part of this tour, you will fly 30 miles (48 kilometers) over the Grand Canyon – the longest available flight above and below the rim.
Once you have explored the majestic and yet rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon, you fly back to Boulder City.
Tip: If you opt for the Early Bird departure, you can save US$50 per person.
Tour timings
Early bird departure: 7 am and 8 am daily
Extended Grand Canyon Flight: 9 am to 6.15 am daily
Tour Operator: 5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
Cost of the tour (2+ years)
Early bird departure: US$499 per person
Extended Grand Canyon Flight: US$549 per person
If you are short on time, check out this 3-hour tour of Grand Canyon onboard the luxurious A-Star helicopter.
Coach Tour from Vegas, with helicopter landing
This 12-hour tour brings the best of Grand Canyon to you.
Hop aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with restrooms, reclining seats, and large windows for a two and a half-hour drive from Las Vegas to the West Rim.
Make a halt for a photo op at the Hoover Dam and another one for breakfast.
Spend up to 4 hours at the Grand Canyon to experience it fully and learn all there is to know about it.
Explore the Eagle Point and Guano Point.
Upgrade to include a walk on the glass-bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk.
The highlight of the tour is a helicopter flight over the canyon and the Colorado River.
Feast on complimentary hot lunch at Grand Canyon.
The standard package includes just a bus tour to the Grand Canyon, but you can upgrade to include a helicopter landing.
Tour timings: 6.30 am to 7.30 am daily
Tour Operator: GrayLine Las Vegas
Cost of the tour (2+ years)
Tour, Helicopter, and Skywalk: US$528 per person
Tour, and Helicopter Landing: US$494 per person
If you prefer something cheaper, check out this coach trip + helicopter landing tour.
Grand Canyon West helicopter and boat tour
This 11-hour sightseeing adventure includes a helicopter flight and Colorado river float.
You take off from the Boulder City airport in a helicopter and explore Grand Canyon West Rim from above, after which you fly back.
For the second leg of the tour, you drive down from Boulder City to the Colorado River launch area at the Hoover Dam’s base.
You board a comfortable raft and meander along the river through the Black Canyon.
On the way, you stop at a secluded beach for a dip and enjoy a picnic box lunch.
Tour timings: 7 am and 8 am daily
Tour Operator: 5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
Cost of the tour (2+ years): US$699 per person
West Rim Deluxe Sunset Helicopter Tour
Take off in a state-of-the-art Eco-Star helicopter for a flight over the Grand Canyon West on this 4.5-hour tour.
Land on a private bluff for Champagne toast and a light snack.
After enjoying the Grand Canyon’s sunset views and the Colorado River, you board the helicopter for the return flight.
As you fly towards Las Vegas, the pilot swoops down towards the glittering Las Vegas strip to see it in all its splendor.
Tour timings: 5 pm daily
Tour Operator: Maverick Helicopter Tours
Cost of the tour (12+ years): US$674 per person
Don’t limit yourself to helicopter tours, check out all Grand Canyon tours.
Departure point
Grand Canyon West Rim heli tours offer a hotel pickup facility.
The Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour also allows you to head directly to the meeting point.
Address: 5596 Haven St, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA. Get directions
The heliport is near public transportation.
The tours end back at the meeting point.
There are multiple take-offs daily, so book early to get your preferred time slot.
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable Grand Canyon West Rim 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 two years and above.
Most Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter rides are not wheelchair accessible (except the Coach Tour from Vegas, with helicopter landing)
The tours are not recommended for pregnant travelers and guests with heart, back, or other serious medical problems.
Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
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.
Grand Canyon West Rim map
Why Grand Canyon West Rim
While planning a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon, it is customary to wonder ‘Grand Canyon South Rim or West Rim’?
With only two million visitors a year, Grand Canyon West is a lot quieter than the South Rim, which gets upwards of five million tourists.
The Grand Canyon West Rim is not as developed as the South Rim, but it is the better option if you love adventure activities.
If you opt for the West Rim, you can walk on the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Some of the other adventure activities at the West Rim are:
- Helicopter landing on West Rim
- Colorado river float
- Landing below the West Rim
- Boat ride & buffet lunch
- Shooting in Mohave Desert
- Rim landing with picnic
- 3-hour ATV tour
- Western Ranch experience
- Overnight in Grand Canyon
You also get to see stunning views from Eagle Point and Guano Point.
Grand Canyon West is closer to Las Vegas – just two and a half hours drive, making it popular with tourists holidaying in the Sin City.
South Rim is twice the distance from Vegas.
Direct helicopters tours are available only for West Rim because South Rim is beyond the range of choppers.
When do visitors opt for West Rim?
- They are based out of Las Vegas
- They don’t have much time
- Don’t want to spend all their time traveling to the attraction
- Want to see the Skywalk
- Want to indulge in adventure activities
If you aren’t just interested in helicopter tours over Grand Canyon West, check out all Grand Canyon West Rim tours.
Grand Canyon South – what you will miss
The South Rim is more developed than West Rim and has many visitor facilities such as hotels, restaurants, cultural experiences, etc.
Families with small kids prefer South Rim over the West Rim for its many amenities and activities.
The South Rim has more than 20 unique viewpoints, offering stunning visuals of the natural wonder, millions of years in the making.
Some of the most iconic viewpoints are Mather Point, Yaki Point, Desert View, etc.
At the South Rim, you can explore the Grand Canyon Village, go on a hike along Bright Angel Trail (and many others) or take a mule ride into the Canyon.
Some people who have been to both the attractions suggest that South Rim is better than West Rim for first-time Grand Canyon visitors.
If South Rim excites you, check out all the tours of Grand Canyon South.
If you prefer a heli tour over the natural wonder, find out everything about Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours.
Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the biggest attraction of West Rim.
It is a 3 meter (10 feet) wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge at Eagle Point and extends 21 meters (70 feet) over the Grand Canyon rim.
Visitors can see the 213 meters (700 feet) drop to the Canyon floor below their feet.
Skywalk is also referred to as the Glass Skybridge, Glass Walkway, Glass Balcony, Seethrough Bridge, etc.
Even though Canyon West’s Skywalk is strong enough to hold seventy fully loaded 747 passenger jets, only 120 visitors are allowed at a time to ensure safety.
Since the Grand Canyon Skywalk opened to the public in March 2007, the West Rim’s popularity has increased.
So much so that more than a million visitors line up to walk the glass bridge annually.
Grand Canyon Skywalk tickets
Grand Canyon West is on the Hualapai Indian tribal lands and is NOT a part of the Grand Canyon National Park.
Entry to Grand Canyon West requires an entrance fee, but you don’t need to worry because it is included in all the tours.
However, to go up on the glass bridge, you need Skywalk tickets.
If you prefer to combine your helicopter tour over the West Rim with a Skywalk visit, we recommend the Helicopter tour, buffet lunch, boat ride, and Skywalk tour.
If you aren’t keen on a helicopter tour, you can check out the other Grand Canyon Skywalk tickets and tours.
Last minute Skywalk tickets
If you don’t purchase the Skywalk tickets in advance (which we advise against!), you can get them from the Visitor Center.
During the peak months, the line to buy the Skywalk tickets is long, and the waiting time can even go up to 30 minutes.
The Skywalk is many miles from the Visitor Center, and the only way to get there is by their Shuttle Bus.
The shuttle bus line is also long, but you don’t have to wait for more than 15 minutes because of the high frequency.
What to do at Grand Canyon West Rim
Besides the Skywalk, there are many other things to do at West Rim.
Helicopter flights
You can book a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon West and explore the natural wonder from above.
These helicopter tours come in various flavors – with a below the rim landing, a glass of champagne, a boxed lunch, a picnic next to the Colorado river, etc. Jump to helicopter tours section
Stunning viewpoints
Eagle Point and Guano Point are two of the most stunning spots to see the Grand Canyon.
Besides the mesmerizing views at Eagle Point, you also enjoy the Native American Village walking tour with replicas of authentic dwellings from various American Indian Tribes.
Besides offering beautiful views of Grand Canyon West and the Colorado River, Guano Point is also home to the remnants of a historic tram used in a Guano mine.
Hualapai Ranch
The ranch offers western-style entertainment such as roping, quick draw tricks, and wagon rides.
If you prefer to spend a night at the Grand Canyon, check out this helicopter tour + Hualapai Ranch cabin combo.
Whitewater river rafting
The mighty Colorado River at Grand Canyon West is perfect for whitewater rafting.
The tour departs and returns from Peach Springs, Arizona, home of the
Hualapai Native Americans who act as guides.
If you are an adrenalin junkie, you will love this Grand Canyon White Water Rafting Trip from Las Vegas.
If you want to be picked up from Sedona, Flagstaff, or Grand Canyon National Park, check out this rafting tour.
Cancellation policy
The West Rim Deluxe Sunset Helicopter Tour is non-refundable in the event of a cancellation.
For a full refund on other 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.
Helicopter 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.
Grand Canyon tours
# Grand Canyon helicopter tours from Las Vegas
# Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours
# Best Grand Canyon helicopter tours
# Grand Canyon helicopter tours at sunset
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