The 6 Best Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours

With its layered crimson rocks and winding Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is a sight to behold – especially from the air. To enjoy a unique perspective of this natural wonder and surrounding landmarks like the Hoover Dam, consider booking a helicopter tour. Many tours that depart from Las Vegas offer round-trip hotel transportation, making for a fun and convenient outing away from the Strip. To help you select the right Grand Canyon helicopter tour for you, U.S. News consulted both expert and traveler opinion. (Note: Companies may have a fuel surcharge on top of the regular rate.)

Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon typically start at around $300. Expect to pay more if a tour offers refreshments, transportation to and from your hotel or other perks.

Price: From $560
Duration: 4 hours

Departing from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, this four-hour tour takes you over Lake Mead, Fortification Hill, the Hoover Dam and more before stopping to land 3,500 feet into the Grand Canyon. Once you land, you’ll be served beverages (including sparkling wine) and light snacks. On the way back to the city, you’ll take in epic views of the canyon’s rock formations before descending past the glittering lights of the Strip. According to reviewers, the flight is exhilarating and well worth the money. Many called it the highlight of their Vegas vacation. Flights depart several times daily.

The trip, which includes Vegas hotel pickup and drop-off, costs approximately $560 per person depending on your departure time. Maverick Helicopters offers other sightseeing flights, including a flight departing from the South Rim and a flight to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Price: From $169
Duration: 45 Minutes

During this approximately 45-minute airplane tour, you’ll fly over the South Rim, Kaibab National Forest and the Little Colorado River, among other sights. This tour departs from Grand Canyon Airport, making it convenient for travelers staying near Grand Canyon National Park. Plus, for an additional fee, you can take an optional Hummer tour. Many reviewers label this trip as a bucket-list opportunity and laud the incredible flight experience. On the flip side, a handful of reviewers complain about poor customer service.

Tours depart multiple times daily. Fees start at $169 per person. Tickets start at $275 for the plane ride and Hummer tour. Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters also offers several other tours of the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon.

Price: From $599
Duration: 4 hours

This helicopter ride combines a scenic flight over the Grand Canyon with a landing at Valley of Fire State Park. The outing, which includes round-trip transportation from most Las Vegas hotels, lasts approximately four hours. During the 100-minute flight, you’ll enjoy views of the Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert and the Grand Canyon before landing at the state park for a Champagne toast and time to take pictures of the red Aztec sandstone outcrops. Along the way you’ll enjoy live narration from your expert pilot – a particular highlight for reviewers, who appreciate the pilot’s explanation of the park’s various geological features.

Flights, which start at $599 per person, are available daily in the afternoon (exact departure varies by month). For an aerial view of the Strip, consider one of 5 Star’s Las Vegas flightseeing tours.

Departing from the South Rim, the approximately 45-minute Grand Canyon Spirit Tour flies over the Kaibab National Forest, the Colorado River, the North Rim and the Dragon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the canyon. Along the way, passengers will soar above Marble Canyon and Point Imperial, among other landmarks. Reviewers rave about Maverick’s professional, informative pilots and say the views of the canyon are outstanding.

Prices start at $319 per person, including fees and the fuel surcharge. Flights depart from Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, Arizona, multiple times daily. Note that the company does not provide transportation to or from the airport. Maverick also offers canyon tours that depart from Las Vegas, as well as private flights.

Price: From $550
Duration: 4 hours

This four-hour journey includes hotel pickup and drop-off, live commentary from an expert pilot and stellar views of the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and more. Plus, you’ll have 30 minutes to explore the scenery at Eagle Point Rim where you can add on access to the Grand Canyon Skywalk for an additional fee. Reviewers enjoy the tour, with many citing the fun and informative pilots as a highlight of the trip.

Tickets cost approximately $550 per person. Tours depart multiple times daily. In addition to Grand Canyon tours, the company offers helicopter tours of Las Vegas proper.

Price: From $469
Duration: 4.5 hours

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Colorado River before landing on a private plateau to explore the canyon floor on this approximately 4 1/2-hour tour. In addition to music and multilingual narration throughout the 70-minute flight, you’ll also enjoy aerial views of Grand Canyon West lookouts like Guano Point and Eagle Point. Plus, after landing in the canyon, you’ll have 30 minutes to explore and enjoy a light picnic with sparkling wine before heading back to Las Vegas. Many passengers say the experience of sipping sparkling wine amidst the canyon’s towering rock formations is unforgettable. Others applaud the professional, friendly pilot and wish they had more time in the canyon.

Tours, which depart multiple times daily, start at $469 per person. Prices include complimentary round-trip transportation from most hotels in downtown Las Vegas and the Strip. Papillon offers a variety of Grand Canyon and Las Vegas flights, including some that take flight in EcoStar, an environmentally friendly helicopter.