I still remember the moment we flew over the edge of the Grand Canyon.
A few minutes earlier, we’d lifted off from Grand Canyon Airport and flown over an endless expanse of pine forest. Then, without warning, the trees disappeared from beneath the helicopter as we swept out over the canyon rim.
Suddenly, I was floating high above one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
I did this Grand Canyon helicopter tour back in 2009, but that memory has stuck with me for seventeen years. I remember frantically snapping photos with my digital camera, trying to capture something that was almost impossible to photograph. I even found a few shaky videos recently of me sitting in the helicopter, completely speechless as we flew over the Colorado River.
Considering the flight itself lasted less than an hour, it’s remarkable how vividly I still remember it. Helicopter tours are not cheap, and I’ve often questioned whether they’re really worth the money. But looking back after all these years, I honestly think they are.
I’ve only done three helicopter flights during all of my travels — one over Aoraki / Mount Cook in New Zealand, another above the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, and this one at the Grand Canyon South Rim. All three have become some of my favourite travel memories, and the Grand Canyon flight remains right up there with the best.
If you’re wondering whether a Grand Canyon helicopter tour deserves a place on your itinerary, here’s my honest opinion after experiencing it myself.
Quick summary:
A Grand Canyon helicopter tour is one of the most expensive experiences at the canyon, but it’s also one of the most memorable. Flying above the Colorado River and looking down into the canyon reveals a perspective that simply isn’t possible from the rim, making it an unforgettable splurge if your budget allows.
Recommended tours:
🚁 South Rim: 45-Minute Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour – Fly from Tusayan over both rims, with the option to add a guided Hummer tour on the ground.
🥂 Las Vegas: Grand Canyon Helicopter Landing Tour – Fly from Las Vegas before landing on the canyon floor for champagne beside the Colorado River.
🚁 West Rim: Canyon Floor Landing Helicopter – Already at Grand Canyon West? Descend 3,500 feet to a private landing site beside the Colorado River.
Where do Grand Canyon helicopter tours depart?
Grand Canyon Airport at Tusayan is the most popular departure point for visitors exploring Grand Canyon South Rim. Located just outside the national park entrance, it’s only a short drive from the visitor centre and most nearby accommodation. This is where I took my helicopter flight back in 2009. I flew with was Papillon Helicopters, who still operate flights from Tusayan today.
If you’re staying in Las Vegas, you don’t need to drive five hours each way to reach the Grand Canyon. Instead, many helicopter tours depart from Las Vegas or nearby Boulder City, flying over landmarks such as Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before reaching Grand Canyon West. These tours are a popular option for travellers wanting to experience the canyon on a day trip.
The third departure point is Grand Canyon West Airport, located on Hualapai tribal land around two hours’ drive from Las Vegas. These flights are designed for visitors who are already exploring Grand Canyon West and often include a landing on the canyon floor, something that’s not available on flights departing from the South Rim.
Which Grand Canyon helicopter tour should you choose?
Grand Canyon Airport (Tusayan)
🚁 If you’re exploring Grand Canyon South Rim, I’d recommend the 45-Minute South Rim Helicopter Tour. It flies over some of the canyon’s most dramatic scenery, including the Colorado River, Marble Canyon and the famous Dragon Corridor.
It’s the closest match to the flight I experienced and offers spectacular views of the widest and deepest parts of the canyon. You can also choose a shorter 25-minute Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight if you’re looking for a more affordable option, and both tours can be upgraded with a guided Hummer tour of the South Rim.
Las Vegas
🥂 If you’re based in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour with Champagne Toast is a fantastic bucket-list day trip if you’re short on time.
Rather than spending hours driving to the national park, you’ll fly over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before landing on the canyon floor for a champagne picnic beside the Colorado River. There’s even the option to upgrade your return flight to include a scenic pass over the Las Vegas Strip.
Grand Canyon West Rim
🚁 If you’re already visiting Grand Canyon West, I’d look at the Canyon Floor Landing Helicopter Tour which departs directly from West Rim Airport.
This experience descends 3,500 feet below the rim to an exclusive landing site around 300 feet above the Colorado River. You’ll spend around 20 minutes on the canyon floor before flying back through the towering canyon walls to the West Rim. It’s a great way to add something unforgettable to your visit without committing to a full-day tour from Las Vegas.
Grand Canyon helicopter tour comparison
| Tour | Departs From | Flight Highlights | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papillon 25-Minute South Rim Helicopter Flight | Tusayan (South Rim) | Fly over the Colorado River, Kaibab National Forest and the South Rim | Travellers wanting a more affordable helicopter experience |
| Papillon 45-Minute South Rim Helicopter Tour | Tusayan (South Rim) | Dragon Corridor, Colorado River, North & South Rims | Travellers already visiting Grand Canyon National Park |
| Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour with Champagne Toast | Las Vegas | Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, canyon floor landing with champagne | Visitors wanting an easy bucket-list day trip from Las Vegas |
| Grand Canyon West Canyon Floor Landing Helicopter | Grand Canyon West Rim | Scenic West Rim flight and exclusive landing beside the Colorado River | Travellers already exploring Grand Canyon West |
What is the Grand Canyon helicopter flight actually like?
Before boarding, everyone was allocated their seats based on the helicopter’s weight distribution. The type of helicopter used for the Grand Canyon scenic flight will depend on your group size–ours could fit around 6 passengers.
I was lucky enough to score the front seat beside the pilot, which definitely offered the best panoramic views of the canyon. There was an additional window at my feet, which gave me an incredible perspective during the flight.
That said, the side seats in the back would also be fantastic. The only position I’d probably avoid, if possible, would be the middle seat in the back, simply because you’re looking over the other passengers rather than directly out the side windows.
The first few minutes of the flight were surprisingly ordinary. We flew over the dense canopy of the Kaibab National Forest, stretching as far as I could see, then the ground disappeared beneath us as we passed the canyon rim.
That reveal is what has stayed with me all these years. One moment you’re flying over flat woodland, the next you’re looking thousands of feet down into one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.
Why seeing the Grand Canyon from above is so different
Standing at the canyon rim is undoubtedly an incredible experience, but from the viewpoints, you’re really only seeing one side of the canyon. You can’t see much of what’s down below at the base, or anything above the edge.
From the air, everything makes a bit more sense. As I hovered over the canyon in the helicopter, I found it much easier to appreciate just how enormous the canyon really is. I could also see elements that couldn’t be spotted from the rim, such as the Colorado River winding through the base of the canyon, twisting around towering rock formations before disappearing into the distance.
One other thing that really surprised me was how flat the surrounding landscape actually is. From ground level, you don’t really notice it. But from the air, you can clearly see the plateau stretching for miles before it abruptly drops into an enormous chasm. The contrast makes the canyon feel even more dramatic.
It’s a perspective you simply can’t get from any lookout.
So, is a Grand Canyon helicopter tour worth it?
There’s no getting around the fact that Grand Canyon helicopter tours are expensive. When you break down the cost, you’re paying a lot of money for an experience that might only last between 25 and 45 minutes.
But I don’t think that’s really the right way to judge it.
Some travel experiences are fun in the moment but quickly fade into the background. Others stay with you for years.
Seventeen years after my flight, I can still remember the feeling of flying out over the canyon rim for the first time and gliding past towering rock buttes and colourful cliffs. That says far more to me than the price tag ever could.
If you’re visiting the Grand Canyon once in your lifetime and your budget allows, I’d absolutely recommend a helicopter tour. It’s especially worthwhile if you’ve already spent time exploring the South Rim viewpoints, because seeing the canyon from above gives you a completely different appreciation of its sheer scale.
If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, don’t feel like you’re missing the “real” Grand Canyon experience. The South Rim viewpoints are spectacular in their own right and remain one of my favourite national park experiences anywhere in the world. A helicopter flight doesn’t replace that experience—it just adds another unforgettable perspective.
If I were booking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour today, though, I’d probably head to Grand Canyon West and choose one that includes a canyon floor landing. I did a helicopter flight with a glacier landing at Aoraki / Mount Cook in New Zealand a few years before my Grand Canyon trip, and stepping out into a place that would otherwise be almost impossible to reach made the experience feel even more special. There’s something incredibly memorable about landing somewhere so remote. If my budget stretched to it, I’d happily splash out on that kind of helicopter tour at the Grand Canyon too.
Ready to book your Grand Canyon helicopter tour?
If I’ve convinced you that a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon is worth adding to your itinerary, here are the tours I’d personally consider depending on where you’re travelling from.
🚁 Staying near the South Rim? I’d recommend the Papillon 45-Minute Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight. It’s the closest match to the tour I took and offers incredible views over the Dragon Corridor, Colorado River and both the North and South Rims.
🥂 Visiting from Las Vegas? The Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour with Champagne Toast is hard to beat. Flying over Hoover Dam before landing on the canyon floor for a champagne picnic makes it an unforgettable day trip.
🚁 Already at Grand Canyon West? The Grand Canyon West Canyon Floor Landing Helicopter Tour lets you experience the thrill of descending 3,500 feet below the rim to an exclusive landing site beside the Colorado River.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Grand Canyon helicopter tours depart?
Most helicopter tours depart from one of three locations: Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan near the South Rim, Las Vegas, or Grand Canyon West Airport. The best departure point depends on your travel itinerary. As far as I’m aware, there are no helicopter tours that depart from the North Rim.
How long is a Grand Canyon helicopter tour?
Most scenic helicopter flights last between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on the route and operator. The South Rim helicopter tour that I recommend lasts 45 minutes, giving you plenty of time to appreciate the incredible scenery.
Which is better, the South Rim or West Rim helicopter tours?
The South Rim offers the Grand Canyon’s most iconic scenery and is the best choice if you’re already visiting the national park. A West Rim day trip is ideal if you’re in Las Vegas and often includes the unique opportunity to land on the canyon floor.
Can you land inside the Grand Canyon on a helicopter tour?
Yes—but only on tours operating from Grand Canyon West. Helicopter tours departing from the South Rim fly over Grand Canyon National Park but don’t include canyon floor landings. If landing beside the Colorado River is on your bucket list, you’ll need to book a West Rim tour instead.
What should you wear on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour?
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are ideal. Don’t forget sunglasses, and make sure your camera or phone is fully charged—you’ll probably spend most of the flight taking photos.
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