A helicopter is the fastest way to see the Grand Canyon on a trip to Las Vegas. Most Las Vegas Grand Canyon helicopter tours fly to the West Rim, where tours can land on the canyon floor, and many add the Skywalk, a boat ride on the Colorado River or a pass over Hoover Dam. This guide ranks the main tour options by what they include and how long they take, explains the difference between the rims and covers what to know before you book.
Which Grand Canyon Rim Should You Fly To from Las Vegas?
There are three rims to consider. Each gives a different experience, based on distance, scenery and landing access.
| Rim | Distance from Las Vegas (approx.) | Canyon Floor Landing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Rim | ~120 miles | Yes (Hualapai lands) | Day trips, floor landings, the Skywalk |
| South Rim | ~280 miles | No | Classic national park views |
| North Rim | ~270 miles | No | Rarely offered from Las Vegas |
West Rim: Closest to Las Vegas
Grand Canyon West is on Hualapai lands in Peach Springs, Arizona, outside Grand Canyon National Park. It is the rim where helicopter tours from Las Vegas land on the canyon floor. By helicopter, the flight from Las Vegas takes about 45 minutes each way. By road, Grand Canyon West is a little over 2 hours from the Strip. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is here, at Eagle Point.
South Rim: Deepest Canyon Views
The South Rim is part of Grand Canyon National Park, near Flagstaff in Arizona. It has the classic national park views. It is much farther from Las Vegas, so day trips usually combine a sightseeing airplane flight to Grand Canyon National Park Airport with a ground tour of the lookout points or a helicopter flight from there. These trips take most of the day.
North Rim: Most Remote Option
The North Rim is rarely offered as a helicopter tour from Las Vegas. It is remote, and seasonal road closures make it impractical for most day trips. If landing access or a shorter day matters most, choose the West Rim.
Top Las Vegas Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours Compared
These are the main kinds of tours on offer, ranked from the most complete Grand Canyon day to the shortest flight. Exact names, times and inclusions vary by operator, so check the details of the tour you book.
| Rank | Tour type | Destination | What it includes | Approx. duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floor landing with boat ride, some with Skywalk | West Rim | Helicopter landing on the canyon floor, pontoon boat float on the Colorado River, Skywalk admission on some tours | 6.5 to 8 hrs hotel to hotel |
| 2 | Floor landing tour | West Rim | About 45 minutes' flight each way, about 30 minutes on the canyon floor with a champagne toast | About 2.3 hrs |
| 3 | Skywalk tour | West Rim | About 45 minutes' flight each way, about 60 minutes on the ground with Skywalk admission | About 2.75 hrs |
| 4 | Landing tours with longer ground time | West Rim | Canyon landing plus time at rim overlooks on Hualapai lands | About 4.5 hrs |
| 5 | South Rim air and ground tour | South Rim | Sightseeing airplane flight of about 2 hrs 20 min, then a 2.5 to 3 hr ground tour of the lookout points | About 9.5 hrs |
| 6 | Hoover Dam and Strip flight | Las Vegas and Hoover Dam | Aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River and the Strip | About 35 to 40 min flight time |
| 7 | Strip flight | Las Vegas Strip | Day or night views of the Strip, no canyon flight | About 10 to 12 min |
Sunset departures of the West Rim landing tours are popular for the light on the canyon walls.
For a fully private, on-demand flight on your own schedule, BLADE can arrange private charter flights.
What Does a Canyon Floor Landing Actually Include?
On a typical West Rim floor landing tour, the helicopter flies for more than 10 miles through the canyon, then descends and lands about 3,500 feet below the rim on Hualapai lands. The landing site sits about 300 feet above the Colorado River. You spend about 30 minutes on the ground, with time for photos, a short walk and a champagne toast with light snacks. Tours with a boat ride or Skywalk spend longer at the canyon.
Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. The ground at the landing site is uneven.
Should You Add the Skywalk, Boat Ride, or Hoover Dam to Your Tour?
- The Skywalk. A 10-foot-wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 70 feet out over the rim at Eagle Point, about 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. Admission is included in Grand Canyon West's All-Access Pass, priced at $99. Bags and backpacks are not allowed on the bridge, and free lockers are provided. Peak hours are 11 am to 3 pm, so earlier visits are quieter.
- A boat ride. Some floor landing tours add a pontoon boat float on the Colorado River. It makes for a longer, fuller day.
- Hoover Dam. A Hoover Dam and Strip flight is a short option if you don't have time for a canyon trip. Some Grand Canyon tours also fly past Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the way.
What Should You Know Before Booking a Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas?
- Weight policies. Helicopter tours collect passenger weights and set weight limits for balance and safety. Some passengers may need to buy an extra seat. Check the operator's policy before you book.
- Check-in. Arrive at the terminal early for check-in and the safety briefing.
- Clothing. Wear layers. Temperatures at the rim and on the canyon floor can be very different.
- Photos. Take your photos early in the flight, before the glare increases.
- Cancellation. Policies vary. One major operator offers free cancellation up to 72 hours before the flight. Read the terms before you pay.
- Safety. Ask the operator about its FAA certification and safety record.
Las Vegas also has shorter sightseeing flights over the Strip and Red Rock Canyon. These are a separate experience from Grand Canyon tours, so check which one you are booking.