When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the best travel insurance companies. You can get a 5% discount on Heymondo, the only insurance that pays all medical bills upfront for you, HERE!
Taking a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon South Rim is, hands down, the best way to see this part of the canyon. Sure, the lookouts are beautiful, but they’re super crowded, so you can’t get the sweeping views you’d get from the air. I can guarantee that flying over the canyon will be the coolest thing you can do at the South Rim!
Best Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours
I know because I’ve taken a couple of South Rim helicopter tours, and I’ve always been blown away. The first one I took was this excursion, which gave me a taste of flying over the canyon. I was hooked! Last year, when my family visited me in the States, I convinced them to take this helicopter ride with me. It was phenomenal, and we got some breathtaking photos.
In this article, I’m sharing the top 5 Grand Canyon helicopter tours in the South Rim. Paired with our tips for visiting the Grand Canyon, you can plan an unforgettable trip.
- Imperial with EcoStar
- North Rim helicopter tour
- Grand Discovery Air Tour
- Grand Canyon Deluxe
- Grand Discovery Rim to Sky
Later, I’ll share a chart comparing each excursion’s price and details, followed by my experience flying over the South Rim twice.
1. Imperial with EcoStar, the best Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour
The Imperial with EcoStar flight is one of the most popular Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours. It gives you an excellent overview of the area’s rock formations, the Kaibab Forest, and the Colorado River so you can appreciate the Rim’s full majesty.
You’ll ride in an EcoStar helicopter, an environmentally-friendly aircraft with panoramic windows perfect for snapping photos of the scenery below. Plus, being in a helicopter allows you to fly at a lower elevation so that you can capture some fantastic close-up shots.
1. Imperial with EcoStar, the best Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour
During the ride, you can spot the South, North, and East Rims, making this one of the top-rated Grand Canyon helicopter tours. If you’re willing to pay more, you can upgrade your tour by making it private or adding a hummer excursion, another fun thing to do at the Grand Canyon.
- Highlights: Grand Canyon South Rim, North Rim, and East Rim by helicopter
- Departs from: Grand Canyon Airport (South Rim)
- Duration: 40-50 minutes
- Price from: $399
2. North Rim helicopter tour, the cheapest helicopter tour in the Grand Canyon South Rim
This North Rim tour is a budget-friendly option that lets you explore the North and South Rims in an exciting way. You’ll take off from the South Rim, then soar over the national park’s deepest and oldest crevasses. Over 25-30 minutes, you’ll spot scenic South Rim viewpoints, allowing you to appreciate the expansive magnitude and depths of the canyon.
The excursion includes a headset and in-flight narration, so you’ll always know what you’re flying over. For example, your guide will point out formations like the Tower of Ra, the Vishnu Schist, and the Dragon Corridor.
2. North Rim helicopter tour, the cheapest helicopter tour in the Grand Canyon South Rim
Best of all, this is one of the cheapest helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon South Rim, so you don’t have to break the bank. I also highly recommend it if you’re short on time but still want to enjoy a unique tour of the Grand Canyon.
- Highlights: Grand Canyon South Rim and North Rim by helicopter
- Departs from: Grand Canyon Airport (South Rim)
- Duration: 25-30 minutes
- Price from: $269
3. Grand Discovery Air Tour, one of the best airplane tours in the Grand Canyon South Rim
This tour was my first experience flying over the Grand Canyon, and I think it’s a great choice for other first-timers. Moreover, if you’re on a tight budget, you can save money by booking this tour, since instead of flying in a helicopter, you’ll ride in a sightseeing airplane.
3. Grand Discovery Air Tour, one of the best airplane tours in the Grand Canyon South Rim
While it’s a bit different from other Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours, this flight is worth considering. You’ll get a decent amount of time in the air to marvel at the rock formations and canyon depths below. In addition to the Colorado River, you’ll spot Imperial Point, the Zuni Corridor, and the Kaibab Plateau.
This excursion boasts an unbeatable price and some of the best South Rim views, so I recommend it if you can’t afford a chopper ride.
- Highlights: Grand Canyon South Rim and North Rim by airplane
- Departs from: Grand Canyon Airport (South Rim)
- Duration: 40-45 minutes
- Price from: $179
4. Grand Canyon Deluxe, an exhilarating Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour from Las Vegas
Most chopper rides from Sin City take you to the West Rim, which is the closest to the city but not part of the National Park—and it doesn’t offer the same stunning views. However, if you’re looking for a helicopter tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim and have the time, this flight is a great alternative. This is a full-day excursion, so you can see the most popular part of the Grand Canyon and its highlights in one go.
This Grand Canyon heli-tour from Vegas departs from a terminal just outside the city. You’ll take off in a sightseeing airplane and go over the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Colorado River.
4. Grand Canyon Deluxe, an exhilarating Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour from Las Vegas
As you approach Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll make landfall and see a helicopter waiting for you. The chopper will take you on a short tour over the South and North Rims, giving you amazing views of the canyon’s colors, textures, and dramatic formations. After your helicopter flight, you’ll take an on-the-ground Hummer tour to explore some of the best viewpoints along the South Rim.
This deluxe excursion includes a box lunch to keep your energy up and is considered one of the best Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas if you have a full day available.
- Highlights: Airplane ride to Grand Canyon National Park, helicopter over the North and South Rims, Hummer ride to explore the South Rim lookouts
- Departs from: Las Vegas
- Duration: 9.5 hours
- Price from: $849
5. Grand Discovery Rim to Sky, another popular airplane tour in the Grand Canyon South Rim for families
Last but not least, this airplane ride offers some of the best views of Grand Canyon National Park.
It starts from the South Rim, where you’ll board a specialized sightseeing plane and ascend into the skies. The aircraft has extra-large windows so you can see the intricacies of the South Rim and its most famous viewpoints. Follow along with the in-flight narration to easily spot Imperial Point and the Dragon Corridor.
5. Grand Discovery Rim to Sky, another popular airplane tour in the Grand Canyon South Rim for families
Before landing back at Grand Canyon Village, you’ll also fly over parts of the Colorado River and the Kaibab Forest. But the adventure doesn’t end there! Next, climb aboard an open-air Hummer and ride to some South Rim lookouts to get a different perspective of the canyon.
This Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour is ideal for families and groups wanting to explore the best of the South Rim from both the air and the ground in a short time. Plus, the excursion is reasonably priced to get the most bang for your buck.
- Highlights: Grand Canyon South Rim and North Rim by airplane, Hummer ride to explore the South Rim lookouts
- Departs from: Grand Canyon Airport (South Rim)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Price from: $299
Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours price comparison
I created this comparison table to help you find the perfect Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour. You’ll see that all the excursions besides the deluxe tour depart from Grand Canyon South. Check out the prices, durations, and highlights below:
TOUR | PRICE FROM | DURATION | DEPARTS FROM | TRANSPORTATION | HIGHLIGHTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$399 | 40-50 minutes | South Rim | 🚁 | • South Rim |
|
$269 | 30-40 minutes | South Rim | 🚁 | • South Rim |
|
$179 | 40-45 minutes | South Rim | ✈️ | • South Rim |
|
$849 | 9.5 hours | Las Vegas | ✈️🚁🚙 | • Hoover Dam |
|
$299 | 3 hours | South Rim | ✈️🚙 | • South Rim |
|
BEST GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM HELICOPTER TOURS |
|||||
All these tours are operated by Papillon Helicopters, the company I always use for my flights over the canyon. Also, I recommend checking the company’s Special Offers online, since sometimes you can snag last-minute deals.
My experience flying over the Grand Canyon South Rim
Magical. There’s no other way to describe a Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter ride! Soaring above the canyon for the first time lifted my spirits (no pun intended), especially after the ground-level lookouts left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
My experience flying over the Grand Canyon South Rim
With a South Rim helicopter tour, I could escape the crowds and enjoy a more personalized experience. The first time I flew over the park was on this air tour. I wanted to take one of the cheaper excursions to get a feel for it. Well, I loved it so much that last year, I came back with my family to take this helicopter ride.
Both tours were well worth it. The airplane took us to higher elevations, while the helicopter allowed us to get a closer look at the canyon’s interesting formations. In terms of photos, I’m honestly not sure what to recommend. I got nice pictures during both tours, but the light was a little too bright on the second excursion, which washed out the colors of the canyon wall a little bit. Having some clouds in the sky would have helped for sure.
Flying over the Grand Canyon South Rim
Besides those two rides, I’ve also taken this heli-tour that includes a canyon floor landing, and is one of the best helicopter tours from Las Vegas. It goes to the West Rim instead of the South Rim, making it a great option if you’re in Vegas and short on time. Canyon floor landings aren’t allowed at the South Rim, but I still prefer my experience there because the views are from another world.
FAQs – Best Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours
Below, you’ll find the answers to the most common questions about Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tours:
What is the best Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour?
The best option depends on what you want to see, but I’ll tell you that I took this helicopter ride and absolutely loved it.
How much is a Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour?
The cost of a Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour depends on flight duration, your departure point, and any additional activities, but you can find tours starting at $179.
What is the cheapest Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour?
The Grand Discovery Air Tour is the cheapest South Rim air tour because it uses an airplane instead of a helicopter. If you want to ride in a chopper, the North Rim tour is the cheapest. In case you’re traveling on a tight budget, we also have an article on the best cheap hotels at the Grand Canyon so you can save on accommodation and splurge on a heli tour!
When is the ideal time to take a Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour?
Regarding weather conditions, the best time to visit the Grand Canyon is in the fall or spring. As for the time of day, book your tour for the morning when the skies are clear. Some high clouds can help with lighting, but you don’t want to fly when it’s overcast.
How long is a typical Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour?
Most helicopter tours over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon include 30-40 minutes of flight time.
Is a Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour worth it?
Yes! Nothing beats flying over the South Rim and seeing all the crevices and rock formations from above. You’ll also be able to avoid crowds, making your visit to the Grand Canyon South Rim much more enjoyable.
Can you land at the bottom of the Grand Canyon on a helicopter tour from the South Rim?
No, canyon floor landings are not allowed at the South Rim. If you want to do a landing, book a Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter tour.
That’s it from me! If you’ve taken a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon South Rim, tell me about it in the comments below. I’ll also be happy to answer any other questions you may have.
Stay safe, and enjoy your flight!
