Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Landing Tour from Las Vegas

helicopter

Duration
about 2.3 hours terminal to terminal (Maverick Wind Dancer) to 4-4.5 hours hotel to hotel (Papillon Grand Celebration)
Price
from $529 per person (Papillon Grand Celebration, taxes and fees included per Papillon; a fuel surcharge may apply at check-in)
Departs from
Operator terminals: Papillon's Boulder City air terminal or its Las Vegas terminal at 5060 Koval Lane; Maverick's Las Vegas Strip terminal at 6075 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Age policy
No minimum age at Papillon or Maverick. Children under 2 ride on a parent's lap; age 2 and up need a paid seat. Adults 18+ need a physical REAL ID or passport.

About

Grand Canyon West sits on the Hualapai Reservation in northwest Arizona. The Hualapai Tribe owns and runs it, and it is not part of Grand Canyon National Park, so national park passes are not accepted there. The Tribe puts the drive from Las Vegas at about two hours, and a flight at about 30 minutes each way.

Helicopter landing tours fly out from the Las Vegas area, pass over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and descend into the western canyon. The pilot sets down on a private landing site on Hualapai land below the rim. Maverick says its site is 3,500 feet below the rim and about 300 feet above the Colorado River. Papillon says its landing plateau is 3,200 feet below the rim.

The landing is a short stop, usually about 30 minutes. It is not a visit to the Skywalk or the rim viewpoints, which are separate tickets or separate packages.

What to expect

The day starts at an operator terminal. Papillon's Grand Celebration picks you up at a hotel 60 to 90 minutes before the flight and drives you to Boulder City. King of Canyons and Maverick's Wind Dancer leave from terminals just south of the Strip. At check-in every passenger is weighed so the pilot can seat the aircraft for balance, and seats are assigned then.

The outbound route crosses Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, then follows the canyon. After landing you get about half an hour to walk around, take photos and have a glass of champagne while the pilot sets out refreshments. The ground is uneven. On the way back, some routes cross the Las Vegas Strip before returning to the terminal, and a shuttle takes you back to your hotel where transport is included.

Who runs it

Several companies run this tour from Las Vegas. These are the published terms on each company's own site; we don't rank them or earn anything from them.

  • Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters - Grand Celebrationfrom $529 per person · about 4-4.5 hours hotel to hotel; about 70 minutes of flying; about 30 minutes on the canyon floor · Round-trip hotel transport to Boulder City terminal, canyon-floor landing, champagne and refreshments, headset narration in 10 languages
  • Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters - King of Canyonsfrom $569 per person · about 3.5-4 hours hotel to hotel; about 90 minutes of flying; 30 minutes on the ground · Departs Papillon's Las Vegas terminal near the Strip, landing 3,200 feet below the rim, champagne, return over the Strip, hotel transport
  • Maverick Helicopters - Wind Dancerfrom $599 per person (Maverick says prices vary by season and demand) · about 2.3 hours; about 45 minutes each way; about 30 minutes landed · Departs Maverick's Las Vegas Strip terminal, landing 3,500 feet below the rim about 300 feet above the Colorado River, champagne, beverages and light snacks

Good to know

  • Weight: both operators weigh everyone at check-in. Papillon charges for an extra seat at 300 lb or more ($50-$300 depending on tour). Maverick's limit for Grand Canyon West flights is 300 lb per person, and heavier guests must buy another seat.
  • ID: every passenger 18 or older needs an original REAL ID-compliant license or a passport. Both operators refuse photocopies or phone images, and Papillon gives no refund to anyone in a booking that is turned away.
  • Cancellation: Papillon and Maverick allow no changes or refunds within 72 hours of departure. Papillon gives a credit voucher, not a refund, for cancellations made earlier.
  • Wear closed-toe, sturdy shoes; the landing sites are rough. Papillon suggests layers from March to September and winter clothing from October to mid-March.
  • Maverick says there are no restrooms at canyon-floor landing sites.
  • Papillon asks you to reconfirm by phone 24-48 hours before the tour. Flight routes and times can change with weather.

Questions about Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Landing Tour from Las Vegas

Is Grand Canyon West part of Grand Canyon National Park?

No. Grand Canyon West is on the Hualapai Reservation and is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe. The Tribe says it is not affiliated with the national park and does not accept national park passes. The park's South Rim is a separate destination about five hours away by road from Grand Canyon West.

How long do you spend on the ground?

About 30 minutes on the standard tours. Papillon lists about 30 minutes on the canyon floor for Grand Celebration and King of Canyons. Maverick lists about 30 minutes for Wind Dancer. The time is spent at a private landing site below the rim with champagne and light refreshments, not at the Skywalk.

Can children go on the flight?

Yes. Papillon says there are no age restrictions on its helicopter tours. At both Papillon and Maverick, children under 2 fly free on a parent's lap, and children 2 and older need their own paid seat. Maverick requires anyone 17 or under to fly with a parent or guardian.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. Both operators weigh all passengers at check-in. Papillon charges for an additional seat for passengers at 300 lb or more, priced from $50 to $300 depending on the tour. Maverick sets a 300 lb per-person maximum for Grand Canyon West flights; guests above it must buy an extra seat.

Does the tour include the Skywalk?

Not on the standard landing tours described here. The Skywalk is at Eagle Point on the rim, and landing tours stop below the rim. Both Papillon and Maverick sell separate packages that add rim time and Skywalk entry. Grand Canyon West sells Skywalk entry as part of its All-Access Pass.

Similar tours

  • Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Flight10-15 minutes in the air; about 1.5 hours hotel to hotel when transfers are included (Papillon VIP After Dark) · from $99 per person, flight only, no hotel transfers (Papillon Strip Highlights); a fuel surcharge may apply at check-in
  • Grand Canyon Sunset Helicopter Tour with Las Vegas Strip Returnabout 2.5 hours from the terminal (Maverick) to 3.5-4 hours hotel to hotel (Papillon) · from $629 per person (Maverick Wind Dancer Sunset; Maverick says prices vary by season and demand)