Can you imagine a better way to celebrate Memorial Day than by taking a terrific Grand Canyon helicopter tour? The holiday is May 26, and since it is on Monday, many people get to take a three-day weekend. The Grand Canyon is a huge destination for holiday travelers and helicopter tours usually fill up fast. I urge you to book now if you decide to take one of these great adventures.
Grand canyon helicopter tours depart from Vegas in Nevada and Tusayan in Arizona, Tusayan is near the South Rim gates. Flights take off hourly and are running on their regular schedules over the holiday. If you are in Tusayan, your flight goes to the South Rim and if you are in Vegas, your chopper goes to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Either rim is a fantastic adventure.
South Rim Grand Canyon Helicopters
Tours to the South Rim can be aerial-only or landing tours. The air tours come in a thirty minute or fifty minute option. Both of these air tours depart from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport at Tusayan. If you choose the thirty-minute flight, you will start at the North Rim, fly across the canyon to the South Rim, then fly back. The longer option covers the same ground but also takes you to the eastern edge of the canyon so you get to see the beautiful Painted Desert.
There are also two choices in landing tours. One option combines the thirty-minute helicopter tour with a fun ride through the National Park on a Harley. Another one is a chopper tour and a 4×4 excursion to see the sunset on the edge of the canyon. All these tours are popular and full up quickly, so get your seats early.
Grand Canyon Chopper Tours From Las Vegas
Vegas helicopters only fly to the West Rim. You can still take a helicopter tour of the South Rim if you are in Las Vegas, you just have to fly to the South Rim first by airplane.
You can choose between landing tours and air-only tours at the West Rim too. The West Rim has an extra benefit in that it is the rim where choppers can descend to the canyon floor.
If you don’t have much time to spend in the Grand Canyon, the air-only tours are fantastic. On the way to the Grand Canyon, your chopper flies over notable landmarks such as Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and Grand Cliffs Wash. Once your chopper arrives, you’ll fly over the fabulous Grand Canyon Skywalk (the Glass Bridge) before turning for home.
The landing tours let you add on some amazing adventures so they are the favorite options among many travelers. The tour that lands on the canyon floor and includes a champagne picnic is a terrific pick for the holiday. You take a thrilling 3500-foot descent into the canyon where your picnic awaits beside the Colorado River. A smooth-water rafting tour is a popular add-on for this flight.
Another landing flight option is one that comes with VIP access to the Glass Bridge. Constructed entirely of glass, the Skywalk lets travelers walk 70 feet out past the rim’s edge. As you stand 4000 feet above the canyon floor you will get to see the most amazing scenic views you can imagine.
Wrapping Up
The holiday weekend is closing in on us fast. If you are going to be close by, don’t pass the chance to take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Holiday flights typically sell out fast, and this is the first real holiday of the summer. That makes it smart to book your seats at least a week ahead. You should also book your tour and pay for it online so you can get the lowest price possible.