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Helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon

  • Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States of America (USA)

Last updated: 31 July, 2024

There are few more jaw-dropping landscapes in the world than the ‘Grand Canyon’ – the mighty 277-mile long, 1-mile-deep gash, carved into the Arizona rock by the Colorado River.

Given its gargantuan scale, you need height and distance to appreciate its scale and majesty. Helicopter tours afford flyers a bird-eye view, and are able to descend thousands of feet below the canyon’s rim. Some tours even land at the canyon’s base for sunset cocktails.

Without question one of the world’s greatest helicopter flights and unmissable.

Logistics

Price from: £200
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 30+ minutes

Getting there & doing it

The shortest tours, with flights of 20-30 minutes, depart from landing sites inside the park. Another popular option is to fly from Las Vegas.

The Grand Canyon is roughly 250 miles – or just under an hour’s flight away from Las Vegas. Most Vegas-departing tours range anywhere from four hours to all-day affairs. They also usually include flyovers en route of other notable sights, like Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the sandstone rock formations in the Valley of Fire.

There’s no minimum age, but it’s not really suitable for children under 12.

Though generally cheaper than helicopter tours, plane tours don’t offer as intimate or personalised an experience. Planes can’t descend into the canyon, and many passengers – even frequent flyers – get airsick from the windy, bumpy ride.

When to do it

Tours run all year round, seven days a week.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Las Vegas

See the Grand Canyon on this thrilling helicopter tour from Las Vegas! Enjoy breathtaking views as you fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Fortification Hill and many other awe-inspiring sights. As you near the magnificent Grand Canyon, you’ll descend 3,500 feet below the rim to enjoy a light snack and a Champagne toast. This private landing site 300 feet (90 meters) above the Colorado River is the furthest and deepest into the canyon of any other Grand Canyon helicopter tour! After you’ve filled up your camera with photos and soaked in the incredible scenery, head back to Vegas while flying over the famous Strip. ** Please note the listed times are flight times. Hotel Pick-ups commence approximately 90 minutes prior to this time to allow for transport to the heliport and check-in **

Price $505

Min age 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [1745 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Las Vegas

Fly in a luxury helicopter from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, then descend all the way to the canyon floor 3,200 feet (975 meters) below the West Rim. At the bottom of the canyon, you'll enjoy champagne and a light picnic with time to explore and take photos between the massive canyon walls. Choose an early morning, late morning, afternoon, or sunset flight and enjoy a pilot-narrated aerial tour with sights of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreational Area, Grapevine Mesa, Joshua Trees, and Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness on the way to the Grand Canyon. Round-trip hotel transfers with VIP check-in are included. Choose the Vegas Upgrade Option to include a flight over the Las Vegas Strip upon returning from the Grand Canyon! Select the Vegas Race Week Flight Upgrade from Nov 21 - 23, 2024, and fly over the Las Vegas Strip, the street circuit, and paddocks during the biggest race of the season!

Price $499

Min age 2

Rating 4.56 / 5 [806 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Las Vegas

This tour option provides you with everything you need to enjoy the ultimate helicopter tour experience in approximately 4 hours. Fly to the west rim of the Grand Canyon in a state-of-the-art helicopter. Enjoy a flight below the rim and then land at the top before being transported to Eagle Point where you can sit on the edge of the canyon for spectacular Grand Canyon views. Fly back to Las Vegas and your awaiting ride back to your Las Vegas hotel.

Price $529

Min age 2

Rating 4.77 / 5 [263 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Las Vegas

Combine a Grand Canyon helicopter flight with a river raft float or kayak trip on the Colorado River for an incredible and exciting day tour from Las Vegas! Enjoy a scenic 90-minute (round-trip) helicopter flight over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon's West Rim. You'll also take part in either a relaxing river float down the Colorado River or a kayak tour through Black Canyon with an informative guide. Return transportation to your Las Vegas hotel is included. Please note: The order in which you do the activities may differ.

Price $699

Min age 2

Rating 4.56 / 5 [221 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Las Vegas

Embark on the journey of a lifetime on this scenic motorized ATV tour. Ride 22 miles through the picturesque Lake Mead National Park to the Colorado River for a total of three hours of riding time. During the summer months, you will have the opportunity to swim in the Colorado River at the halfway point. Stop along the trail at historical landmarks for breathtaking photo opportunities. Lunch, complimentary shuttle service and all necessary safety equipment is provided. **Closed Toe shoes must be worn. Crocs, Flip Flops, Sandals, Slides and Yeezy Foam Runners will not be accepted as appropriate footwear. Bags cannot be worn over shoes. There are no refunds if your shoes do not meet the requirements upon check in** **Be advised: You will not receive a refund if you cancel**

Price $350

Min age 18

Rating 4.90 / 5 [95 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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