Grand Canyon Helicopters: The Best Way to See South Rim

If you need to see as much of the National Park as you can in 1 day, go on a Grand Canyon heli tour of the South Rim. These flights are breathtaking and take you into the heart of the canyon, delivering unforgettable aerial views that you will cherish forever.

Helicopter tours leave every day from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, small town that is a fast 10-minute drive from the National Park's main entrance. These rides sell out so book upfront (FYI - More than 5 million people visit the canyon each year, and many do heli rides!). Morning tours provide the best visibility. Sunset trips are available, too.

Grand Canyon South Rim airspace is thoroughly regulated. There aren't any bottom-landing flights. Those are only available out of Las Vegas and are done at the West Rim. Currently, there are no flights that hook up Grand Canyon National Park with Grand Canyon West.

Grand Canyon National Park helicopter rides begin with a low-altitude flight above the Kaibab Plateau, home to the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine on the planet. I calculate that it requires about ten minutes to leave the rim and go into the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the canyon.

In the corridor, you will see the Plateau Point Mule Trail, the Tower of Ra, Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon Village and the Colorado River before turning back at the majestic North Rim. Helping put what you will see into perspective, consider this:

1. Ground visitors see only 30 miles of the 277 that make up the park. Airborne travelers see 140 miles!

2. It requires at least five hours to drive a car from the South Rim to the North Rim.

For those who have 1 or 2 days at the South Rim, it's clear to me that a heli trip is the only way to go.

You will find three businesses that operate air tours: Papillon, Maverick and Grand Canyon Helicopters. Papillon has the best prices. Maverick is more aimed toward luxury. Grand Canyon falls in the middle.

Grand Canyon National Park helicopter flights last between 30 and 50 minutes. Most use A-Star helis. If you've got the budget, I suggest you step up to the EcoStar 130. It is really an elite bit of machinery. It features a cabin that's 35 percent bigger than its rivals and theater-style seats. It is also quieter and comes with 180-degree wraparound windows.

Each trip comes with a set of personal headphones. Utilize these to listen to the pre-recorded ride narration (10 languages!). Or chat with your pilot and fellow passengers. The entire flight is captured by cameras connected to the front of the helicopter as well as in the cabin. The recording is ripped to a DVD and can be bought.

Don't ever pay full list price for chopper tours. Shop the net. Please. I have been finding bargains that cut prices by 35 percent Caveat: To obtain these special prices, you must carry out the purchase online. Understand that commissioned sales agents man the "customer service" numbers and will upsell you to more expensive priced package.

Grand Canyon helicopters to the South Rim are the most effective and exciting way to see the National Park. The Rim is a big place. In case you explore it on foot, you will see just a sliver of it. Get airborne and you will see four-times as much. That's a major difference. It's also the reason that's making helicopter tours the runaway success that they are today. See you up there!

About the Author

Mr. Kravitz is a travel journalist who writes about Grand Canyon tours. Go here for his list of the best Grand Canyon helicopter tours. Flights that make this list ar handpicked by Kravitz based on quality, safety and price. Browse this list and see if there's a heli tour for you.

Is Grand Canyon National Park Better Than the West Rim?

The toughest part about choosing a Grand Canyon tour is opting to visit the South Rim or the West Rim. Both of them are fantastic places. So, in an effort to break this tie, I'm going to do a quick rim-by-rim evaluation that will ensure you're paired with the spot that's best for you.

Are you looking activities or scenery?

The West Rim excels in fun-based activities. It's the only place where you can ride a heli 4,000 feet to the bottom. Then, if you're so inclined, you can walk upstream and river raft the Colorado River.

The internationally famous Grand Canyon Skywalk is based here. This attraction is a magnificently designed glass-bridge that lets you walk 70 feet beyond the edge as it lifts you 4,000 feet above the river. Don't look down if you are prone to vertigo.

More exotic activities here include a chopper flight to a working cattle ranch, ATV trail rides, Hummer 4x4 adventures, and horseback riding. One of my favorite things to do at the West Rim is the Hoover Dam one-day, smooth-water float trip to Willow Beach.

The South Rim is more serene when compared to the West Rim. What it lacks in "thrills" it makes up in natural splendor. This is the section of the National Park that even the park rangers refer to as the "real" canyon.

There are no helicopter tours to the base at the South Rim. If you want to get to the base, you have to hike. That said, the air tours here are excellent. The heli ride from Tusayan goes directly into the center of the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest section of the Grand Canyon, while airplane trips cover the South, East, and North rims.

There's also the fantastic one-day Grand Canyon rafting journey that operates from April to November. Options include taking a coach or airplane to Page, AZ, and then transferring to a river raft. This is a smooth-water trip so there is no whitewater. Kids ages four years and older are allowed.

The hiking trails at South Rim are amazing. Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and the Rim Top trails are the most in demand. For view points, go to Mather Point, Yaki Point, and Hopi Point. Most excursions include guided tours to these tourist attractions.

Where's your starting point?

Grand Canyon West is just 120 miles from Las Vegas. Helicopters, planes, and coaches can do the trip in 45 minutes, 25 minutes, and 2.5 hours, respectively. The South Rim is too far for Vegas helicopters. Your only options are the plane or the coach.

I highly advise taking the 45-minute plane flight from Vegas to the South Rim. It's fast, comfy, and one of the greatest deals on the market. The coach is incredibly affordable, but one-way drive time is 5.5 hours and total tour time is a whopping 15 hours.

Phoenix and Sedona tourists can drive to the South Rim in 4 hours and 2 hours, respectively. There are coach, plane, and chopper tours from those locations but it's cheaper to drive yourself and do an air tour from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan.

How much time to you have?

Grand Canyon West trips from Las Vegas are ideal day trips. The lengthiest tour is one day. Air-only trips are around 4 hours, and that includes hotel pick up and drop off. The Ground Canyon South Rim car takes 15 hours at a minimum, which is why I advocate for the plane trip because it will have you back on the Vegas Strip in time for your evening plans. Tours that originate in Northern Arizona are full-day trips. I often tell people to reserve a room inside the park and stay the night. Easier said than done as National Park hotels are generally reserved a year in advance.

How much can you spend?

South Rim and West Rim bus tours are the most affordable and include lots of add-ons like smooth-water rafting, glass bridge passes and chopper rides. Air tours are more expensive, but you also see more of the Grand Canyon in less time. I calculate that what you see on a half-hour helicopter tour is equal to a few days on the ground. Plus the airborne views are outstanding.

Let's see the canyon!

Grand Canyon tours are loaded with excitement and beauty. The two best locations are Grand Canyon West and the West Rim. The challenge is which rim to visit. If you are beginning from Las Vegas, the West Rim is your closest option. However, if your heart is set on the South Rim, take the 45-minute airplane flight. I recommend doing the South Rim for travelers starting out from Phoenix and Sedona. The key to being sure you get the break of your dreams is too reserve in advance over the Internet. Follow this approach and you'll get your Grand Canyon trip at a decent price.

About the Author

Mr. Kravitz is a professional travel writer who reports on things to do at the Grand Canyon. If you are planning a canyon trip, check out his Top 3 Grand Canyon tour operators. His rankings are based on quality, safety and price. Spend several minutes on his page & there's a good chance you'll find the canyon tour of your dreams.