Grand Canyon West: Helicopter, Boat & Skywalk from Las Vegas
About this tour
This full-day adventure takes you from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West Rim by helicopter, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. You will fly over Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the canyon itself, then land on the floor nearly a mile below the rim. From there, board a pontoon boat for a relaxed one-mile float along the Colorado River. Back up top, walk out over the edge on the glass-floored Skywalk at Eagle Point, which comes with a souvenir photo.
Highlights
- Take in wide canyon panoramas from Mather Point, one of the South Rim's most recognized overlooks
- Hike a stretch of the Bright Angel Trail to feel the canyon's scale from the inside
- Watch the rock walls light up at sunset from Hopi Point, known for its open western horizon
- Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum to see how the canyon's rock layers formed over millions of years
- Walk out onto the glass-floored Skywalk at the West Rim, high above the canyon (on select tours)
- See the Colorado River from the rim above, from inner-canyon trails, or from the water itself
- Get a bird's-eye view of the canyon on a helicopter or airplane flight
- The canyon runs about 277 river miles end to end and drops roughly a mile from rim to river
- Sunrise and sunset bring out the deepest color in the canyon walls, well worth an early start
Places You Will Visit
Included / Excluded
- Roundtrip helicopter flight from Las Vegas
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 70-minute helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon West Rim
- 70-minute helicopter flight above the Grand Canyon West Rim
- 30 minutes of free time on the canyon floor
- 30-minutes of exploration time on the Canyon floor
- One-mile pontoon boat float on the Colorado River
- 1-mile pontoon boat float trip on the Colorado River
- Skywalk Bridge admission with souvenir photo
- Skywalk Bridge admission ticket with souvenir photo
Getting There, Opening Hours and What to Expect
Which rim you choose shapes the whole trip. The South Rim is the most visited and stays open year-round, with the classic overlooks at Mather Point and Yavapai Point, the historic Grand Canyon Village, museums, and paved rim paths. The North Rim sits higher, feels quieter, and only opens seasonally because of snow. The West Rim, home to the Skywalk and dramatic cliffside views over the Colorado River, is closest to Las Vegas and the most common target for day trips from the city, though it is not part of the national park. The East Rim centers on the Desert View Watchtower.
From Las Vegas, the West Rim is about a 2-hour drive and the South Rim about 4.5 to 5 hours; from Phoenix the South Rim is roughly 3.5 hours. Many visitors skip the driving entirely and come by guided bus, airplane, or helicopter tour, with some including hotel pickup. The Grand Canyon Railway also runs from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim.
The park itself is open 24 hours a day, year-round, but facilities keep their own hours. The South Rim Visitor Center runs 08:00 to 16:00 from May 23 to August 31 and 08:00 to 17:00 from September 1 to May 22. The North Rim Visitor Center runs 08:00 to 17:00, generally mid-May to mid-October, weather permitting. The West Rim Visitor Center runs 08:00 to 19:15, with last ticket sales around 17:00 and reduced winter hours. Once inside the South Rim, a free shuttle links the viewpoints, visitor centers, and lodges, and parking near major areas fills up fast in peak season.
Available Days / Times
- Monday : 08:00, 10:30, 11:30
- Tuesday : 08:00, 10:30, 11:30
- Wednesday : 08:00, 09:00, 10:30, 11:30
- Thursday : 08:00, 10:30, 11:30
- Friday : 08:00, 09:00, 10:30, 11:30
- Saturday : 08:00, 09:00, 10:30, 11:30
- Sunday : 08:00, 09:00, 10:30
Last updated: Oct 22, 2026
Important Information
- The canyon has four rims (South, North, West, East) and tour options differ a lot by rim and departure city
- South Rim trips usually run as bus, Hummer, or helicopter tours and are the most popular inside the national park
- West Rim trips from Las Vegas may add the Skywalk, canyon-landing helicopter flights, or Colorado River boat rides; this area sits outside the national park
- Aerial tours cap passenger weight at roughly 300 lbs (136 kg); an extra seat may be required above that
- Most ground tours include the national park entrance fee; aerial-only tours usually do not
- Weather can disrupt tours: July and August monsoon storms may cancel flights, and winter can limit South Rim access
- Combo tours that pair flights, landings, boat rides, or the Skywalk let you see several viewpoints in one day
- Many tours include or pass Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, or aerial views of the Las Vegas Strip
- Inner-canyon summer heat can top 110°F (43°C); bring water, sun protection, and proper footwear
- Trails are steep and the climb back up is harder than the descent; stay on marked trails
- The South Rim runs a free shuttle connecting major viewpoints, visitor centers, and lodges
- Drones are strictly prohibited within Grand Canyon National Park
- Stay on marked trails and back from cliff edges; no shortcuts
- Do not feed, approach, or disturb wildlife
- Follow all instructions from guides and tour staff during activities
- Tours may be changed or canceled for weather or safety
- Littering, removing rocks, or damaging natural features is prohibited
- Accessibility varies by rim, viewpoint, and tour type
FAQs
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