Grand Canyon South Rim Helicopter Tour with Landing
(Yes, it would be amazing to land at the bottom
of the Dragoon Corridor,
but that’s not happening anytime soon.)
The South Rim, located in northern Arizona, is the heart of Grand Canyon National Park. It’s a true wilderness, spanning over a million acres of untouched nature. Here, you’ll find the Colorado Confluence with its swirling rapids, the North Rim with its wild buffalo herds, and awe-inspiring rock formations. With vertigo-inducing canyon walls and prehistoric condors soaring above, it’s no wonder the park is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Nature's in the House
For helicopter enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon is a breathtaking experience, but one thing you can’t do here is fly to the bottom. As part of a protected national park, South Rim helicopter tours are strictly regulated — no landings allowed. The park’s caretakers want to preserve the serenity, ensuring that no aircraft disrupts the peace. If you’re keen on reaching the bottom, hiking will take you 5 to 8 hours. And during that trek, the last thing you’ll want is a helicopter interrupting your communion with nature.
Yes, I’m biased — proudly so. The Grand Canyon is a national treasure that deserves our respect. Peace and harmony must reign. Letting helicopters land here would open the floodgates to unbridled soft tourism, and before you know it, there's a road down the Bright Angel Trail (just kidding!). Some things are better left as they are. If you want to see below the rim, do it the old-fashioned way — hike.
(Tip: Bright Angel Trail is steep, and it takes twice as long to hike back up. Always carry water, snacks, and pace yourself. Enjoy the views, but don’t try to make it to the bottom in a day — it’s much farther than it looks. Most people who hike that far stay overnight at Phantom Ranch, which requires reservations.)
So, why do people keep asking about landing tours at the South Rim? Simple: Las Vegas offers bottom-landing picnic tours almost every hour. But wait, aren’t these flights banned by the National Park? They are, but those flights go to the West Rim, which is on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, not part of the national park. The tribe has partnerships with multiple Vegas helicopter operators, leasing private landing pads near the shores of the Colorado River.
I’m fine with this. It benefits both the tribe and Vegas. The Hualapai Reservation is in the heart of the Mojave Desert, where there aren’t many commercial opportunities. By teaming up with Vegas, the Hualapai have built attractions like the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which draws 500,000 visitors annually. That’s a lot of tourist dollars. The tribe also runs horseback tours and river pontoon boat trips, all of which funnel money back into their community.
Sweat Equity
A couple more thoughts… I often get calls from rim-to-rim hikers asking for a helicopter ride from the North Rim back to the South Rim. Sorry, that doesn’t exist. And honestly, I’m glad it doesn’t, because people would be racing into the Canyon, thinking they could simply fly back to the lodge. Instead, you’ll have to catch a shuttle bus, which takes hours to return to the South Rim. It’s a challenge, but that’s part of the experience.
As for the Grand Canyon Skywalk — it’s not my thing, but plenty of people love it. Essentially, it’s an all-glass cantilevered bridge that extends about 75 feet over the edge of a side canyon near Eagle Point. If you look north, you’ll catch a glimpse of the river. The Skywalk is popular for selfies, proposals, and conquering fears of heights. My kids enjoyed it, but I wasn’t overly impressed.
So, what can you do at the South Rim? There are two options for air-only helicopter tours: the 30-minute tour and the 50-minute tour. The shorter flight takes you from the South Rim to the North Rim, passing through the Dragoon Corridor. The longer flight loops over the park, covering the Confluence, the North Rim, and all the highlights of the shorter tour. My recommendation: go for the 50-minute tour—it’s the best value. You can also upgrade these tours to include a 2-hour Hummer Jeep experience.
Click Here for Prices & Flight Times for Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
Have a GRAND day!
