A Grand Canyon Rim Comparison

If you're planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, especially on a day trip from Las Vegas, it's vital to choose which region - or rim - you'd like to visit. The Grand Canyon is divided into two major sections: the Grand Canyon National Park (also known as the South Rim) and the West Rim. Other regions include the North Rim and the East Rim, which are far less accessible to casual visitors. Because of the vastness of the Grand Canyon, it is extremely difficult to experience both the South Rim and the West Rim in a single day.

Still not sure which Grand Canyon region to visit on a day tour from Las Vegas? Our guide will break down the differences to help you create the perfect sightseeing adventure!

Grand Canyon South Rim

The Grand Canyon South Rim features some of the most world-recognized sights of the striped canyon walls and deep rock gorges, like Mather Point and Yavapai Point, and is surrounded by the lush Kaibab Forest, which is home to Grand Canyon animals like elk, mule deer, mountain lions, rock squirrels, and endangered California condors.

The South Rim contains some of the most world-famous views of the Grand Canyon and is a very developed and tourist-friendly location. You'll find plentiful dining options, historic hotels and lodging options, museums, shopping, and a variety of excursions like helicopter tours, Hummer tours, and Grand Canyon hiking.

How to Reach the Grand Canyon South Rim

The nearest departure point to reach the Grand Canyon South Rim by commercial airplane is the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. The South Rim can be reached most easily via car from Flagstaff, Arizona. If you're planning to visit the South Rim from the Las Vegas Strip, you can conveniently do so on a Grand Canyon airplane flight from Las Vegas.

South Rim Weather

Despite its location deep in the Arizona desert, the South Rim experiences a huge range of weather patterns due to its high elevation. Summertime temperatures easily reach up to 100 F (37 C), and monsoon-style rain can quickly take over the bright sunshine in the summer. The temperature can regularly plummet to 0 F (-17) C in winter, and snow is an expected seasonal occurrence. Because of these abrupt weather changes, visitors to the South Rim are encouraged to monitor the forecast before visiting.

Grand Canyon South Rim Tours & Activities

Helicopter Tours

There are plenty of tours and activities for all age groups at the South Rim that offer even more spectacular views of the landscape. The most high demand sightseeing adventure is a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon National Park, which flies over the deepest and widest canyon gorges and provides aerial views of the striped stone walls, the Colorado River, the Kaibab Forest, and the North Rim scenery. Some flights from Las Vegas even include a helicopter tour as part of the package.

Airplane Tours

If you're not planning to fly to the park, you can still enjoy a scenic Grand Canyon airplane tour during your visit and experience beautiful aerial views from your window.

Hummer Tours

Another popular activity, especially for families, is a ground excursion aboard a modified military-style Hummer vehicle. You’ll be transported to several famous South Rim lookout points while you ride in style in the spacious vehicle with a convertible roof. At each destination along the canyon's edge, passengers will have time to explore the area and take photos. Hummer tours can be booked at sunset for an even more magical experience, or you can combine your ground tour with a guided hike along the famous Grandview Trail.

Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels & Camping

Nestled along the canyon rim is the historic Grand Canyon Village, which contains a variety of lodging options including several historic hotels like the El Tovar and the Yavapai Lodge. Most hotels in the village are a short walking distance to the canyon's edge, and many also feature rooms with windows facing the Grand Canyon.

Aside from overnight accommodations, these historic hotels also boast a variety of restaurants from casual bites to fine dining, perfect for couples' trip to the Grand Canyon. You'll also find bars and saloons, as well as cozy lounge areas where you can relax fireside after a long day of sightseeing.

Several campgrounds can be found near the South Rim, as well, accommodating both tents and trailers; however, reservations are highly recommended as campsites are regularly booked solid during the summer months.

Grand Canyon West Rim

At the Grand Canyon West Rim, visitors will enter a more desert landscape that creates a wild and rugged experience. This region is the home of the famous Skywalk Bridge, whose glass floor provides views straight to the canyon floor. Many flights to the Grand Canyon West include entry onto the Skywalk in their price. Additionally, helicopter tours operating daily allow passengers to land at the very bottom of the canyon, which is only possible at the West Rim.

Grand Canyon West Location

The Grand Canyon West Rim is the most convenient region of the canyon for visitors traveling from Las Vegas, Nevada. The West Rim is approximately a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas, a 3.5-hour drive from Flagstaff, Arizona, and a 4-hour drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim (239 miles or approximately 384 kilometers driving distance). You can also visit the West Rim from Las Vegas on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour, with plenty of opportunity to customize your visit with landings on the bottom, Skywalk entry, and more!

Grand Canyon West Rim Weather

The West Rim experiences a much more consistent desert climate, with approximately 300 sunny days annually. The temperature here ranges between 90-100 F (32-37 C) in summer and 30-40 F (-1-4 C) in winter. The canyon floor at the West Rim is often a higher temperature than the surface due to the heat retention within the canyon walls.

You can reach all the beautiful viewpoints and enjoy the activities available at the West Rim on an all-encompassing Grand Canyon day tour from Las Vegas!

Grand Canyon West Rim Tours & Activities

Skywalk

Undoubtedly the most famous attraction at the West Rim is the Skywalk, a massive cantilever bridge extending 70 feet past the canyon's edge. Its glass floor allows visitors to feel as though they are standing in the middle of the air between the canyon walls. The Skywalk is also located directly across from Eagle Point, an incredible natural rock formation that resembles an eagle taking flight.

Helicopter Landings on the Canyon Floor

While helicopter tours are available throughout the Grand Canyon's expanse, the West Rim is the only area of the canyon where helicopters can actually land all the way on the very bottom. You can fly from Las Vegas to the West Rim in a state-of-the-art helicopter, land on the canyon floor, and toast champagne between the colossal canyon walls! Some landing tours also include a pontoon boat ride on the Colorado River. This is truly one of the most once-in-a-lifetime opportunities at the Grand Canyon!

Hualapai Point

The Grand Canyon West Rim is property of the Hualapai Tribe, a federally recognized Native American tribe that resides in Northwest Arizona. Visitors to the West Rim are encouraged to visit Hualapai Point, a Native American cultural center located within the park that features a restaurant with authentic Hualapai dishes, plentiful shopping for handmade crafts, and even a zipline! Hualapai ambassadors are present to meet and greet and answer any questions you may have about their history and culture.

Grand Canyon North Rim

The North Rim lies across the canyon gorge from the South Rim, boasting nearly untouched nature and dense forestry where most of the local animals populate. The North Rim is most easily accessible to visitors via car, but a trip must be planned in advance as the frequently inclement weather here makes the region unreachable. In fact, the North Rim effectively shuts down for the entirety of the winter season annually due to the intense snowfall.

Despite its secluded location within the park, you can still experience the northern region of the Grand Canyon when you visit the South Rim. A Grand Canyon helicopter tour allows you to traverse the expanse of the northern canyon from the sky, with plenty of aerial views and photo opportunities.

Grand Canyon East Rim

To be technical, there is no official "East Rim" recognized by the National Park Service. However, you can still find views of the eastern portion of the canyon en route to Page, Arizona. This small city is surrounded by some of the most impressive natural landforms in the world, including Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the manmade Lake Powell.

You can enjoy a scenic journey from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon on a sightseeing airplane with views of the eastern canyon, Lake Powell, and beautiful desert nature along the way. This day tour also includes a stop at Horseshoe Bend!

Book Your Grand Canyon Trip with Papillon Today

Papillon Grand Canyon helicopters has been transporting adventurers over the Grand Canyon since 1965. We offer daily flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, with full access to both the South Rim and the West Rim, as well as destinations in Page, Arizona like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Our tour offerings include helicopter tours that can land on the very bottom of the canyon, sightseeing airplane tours, and open-air Hummer tours.

If you plan to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, or are traveling to either rim of the Grand Canyon independently, we can enhance your Grand Canyon vacation with an aerial adventure you'll never forget!