More about: Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours from Las Vegas
Every year, 5 million people visit this natural monument in northern Arizona, but nothing compares to the experience of viewing the Grand Canyon from the very sky in a helicopter. Get ready for an unparalleled adventure and breathtaking views of this World Heritage-listed national park.
1. Top Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
Depending on the time you have available on your trip to Las Vegas and the type of tour you want to take to see the Grand Canyon, I suggest two activities to make it easier for you to choose the tour that's right for you.
- Extended helicopter tour of the west side of the Grand Canyon
- Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter tour with bus tour, boat and optional entrance to the Skywalk
2. Extended helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon West Rim
This 4 hour (approx.) tour of the Grand Canyon is for those travellers who have little time in Las Vegas but want to experience the fantastic sight of this spectacular 1,600 metre deep gorge from the heights.
What you'll see
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon West including the Colorado River.
What the tour consists of
After choosing your departure time, the Grand Canyon helicopter tour begins when you are picked up from your Las Vegas hotel and transferred to the helipad where you will board the helicopter.
Once in the air, the pilot will explain the history of the Grand Canyon while you and your group enjoy views of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Grand Canyon West. This helicopter tour ends with a return to the hotel. Refreshments are included to keep your energy level high during the activity.
About the flight
While other Grand Canyon helicopter tours only spend a few minutes flying over the Grand Canyon, this extended tour of the west side offers more flight time - 70 minutes - over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the West Rim.
Over the West Rim
The west side of the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon West or West Rim) is the most popular for tourists visiting Las Vegas, as it is the closest to the city (about 180 kilometres away). It is home to the Hualapai Indian tribe and is noted for its deepest cliffs. It is also famous as the site of a glass-floored observation deck known as the Skywalk over a 1,300-metre-deep cliff.
Book in advance
This tour takes a maximum of 30 travellers, so it is advisable to book well in advance if you don't want to run out of space on the date that suits you.
3. Day trip to the Grand Canyon West Rim by bus, helicopter and boat with optional entrance to the Skywalk
If you want to set aside a day of your Las Vegas holiday to visit the Grand Canyon in depth and are looking for an all-encompassing experience here on land, water and air, then this 12-hour Grand Canyon tour is the tour for you. For a 360-degree panoramic view of this natural monument, this tour also offers optional entry to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
What you will see
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Colorado River, Arizona's Joshua Tree Forest, Eagle Point Overlook, Grand Canyon Skywalk (optional), Guano Point Overlook and Hualapai Ranch.
Hoover Dam
The Grand Canyon West Rim adventure from Las Vegas begins when the luxury bus picks you up from the Las Vegas Strip for the first stop on the tour, the Hoover Dam on Lake Mead, a man-made reservoir in the United States formed by the water collected by the dam. Here you will have time to take the first pictures of the tour with this spectacular engineering feat in the background.
Flying over the Grand Canyon
Back on the coach, the journey continues to the west side of the Grand Canyon (also known as the West Rim or Grand Canyon West), which is the most popular part of the Grand Canyon for tourists visiting Las Vegas.
Here you will board a helicopter for a slow, 1,200-metre descent to the base of the canyon. This is one of the most exciting parts of the tour, where you'll not only feel like one of the eagles soaring over this natural wonder, but you'll also experience the adrenaline rush of flying in a helicopter.
Navigating the Colorado River
Afterwards, when you make landfall you'll board a boat to cruise the Colorado River between the towering sandstone walls for 15 minutes. The scenery is absolutely spectacular and certainly gives you another perspective of the landscape. After the ride, you'll return to the helicopter to ascend to the top of the canyon and take the bus to Guano Point and Eagle Point overlooks in Hualapai Indian territory.
Skywalk Lookout
Both are part of the Grand Canyon's network of overlooks on the West Rim but the big attraction at Grand Canyon West is the glass bridge called the Skywalk which is suspended over a cliff more than 1,200 metres above the Colorado River.
From here you have an amazing 360-degree panoramic view. The visit to this attraction is optional but highly recommended because it leaves you speechless. Not only for the beauty of the landscape but also for the impressive glass structure that has been built to admire it. Don't be afraid to step on it because it is totally safe and although it is designed to support the weight of 800 people, they only let a hundred people through at a time.
Although you can't take your own photos or videos on the Skywalk, you can buy souvenir photos of this great moment of your trip in the gift shop.
Hualapai Ranch
The last stop on this day trip to the Grand Canyon West Rim is the Hualapai Ranch, an Old West style town where you can enjoy a hearty cowboy barbecue lunch included in the price.
4. What you should know before you book
Why is it worth taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon is a spectacle in itself but seeing it from a helicopter is a very special experience, where the thrill of flying meets the thrill of seeing the amazing scenery at your feet.
How many people can fit in a helicopter?
Normally 5 to 6 people, not including the pilot. However, tour operators can organise groups of up to 9 people and split into two groups at the time of the helicopter flight.
Why do you ask for my weight?
They need to know your weight in order to calculate the weight distribution in the helicopter and to balance the flight.
How are the seats distributed during the flight?
Seats are distributed according to the weight of the passengers, which must be evenly distributed in the helicopter to ensure a safe and comfortable flight as required by the FAA.
Do I need to carry any kind of documentation?
Yes, passengers are required to carry an ID card or passport.
What can I take with me on the tour?
You can take your phone and camera with you on the helicopter tour, but backpacks and briefcases are not allowed on the helicopter seats. These are placed in the luggage area and are not accessible for the duration of the flight.
Can I ask for photographs of my helicopter tour?
Tour operators may offer a photo service where photos are taken of passengers in front of the helicopter, which are not included in the price.
5. Other experiences to fall in love with Las Vegas
Discovering the Colorado Canyon is a breathtaking experience but beware, don't lose sight of the main course which is the city of Las Vegas itself. Beyond the neon and vice there is much to discover in this jewel of the desert and to make sure you don't miss out on anything here is some essential reading: Las Vegas Tours.
And of course, something that many people travel to the city of casinos for: getting married in Las Vegas If you've always dreamed of saying "I do" in front of an aging Elvis, it's something you and your partner will definitely remember forever.