Guide to Grand Canyon Trips from Las Vegas
A Las Vegas to Grand Canyon day trip is one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences you can enjoy during your vacation. It may seem daunting trying to determine which canyon rim to visit, how to get to the Grand Canyon, and what activities to fill your time with, but planning a trip to the Grand Canyon is easy with this guide!
Plan a Trip to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas
Visited by more than 5 million people per year, the Grand Canyon National Park is one of the premier tourist destinations in the world. At 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, it's important to know which region you'd like to visit when planning your Grand Canyon excursion.
The Grand Canyon has three rims to choose from: North Rim, South Rim, West Rim. Each rim boasts its own features that differ greatly from one another. Most Las Vegas trips to the Grand Canyon focus on a particular rim of the canyon and guided tours are available at each rim location. Deciding on which rim of the Grand Canyon is the "best" to visit completely depends on your timeline, budget, and personal preferences.
Learn more about each Grand Canyon rim below and the best ways for Grand Canyon visitors to get there from Vegas.
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
The Grand Canyon National Park, also known as the South Rim, is by far the most popular spot and the hub to visit the National Park. The South Rim is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Home of Grand Canyon Village, visitors can find historic buildings and attractions, such as Bright Angel Lodge, hotels, restaurants, and a variety of tour operators.
Those who fly from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim can witness aerial views of the most famous and photographed areas of the canyon. Airplane flights to the South Rim also offer the option to include a helicopter tour or Hummer ground excursion into your visit.
Discover trips of the Grand Canyon South Rim from Las Vegas.
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim
Only 125 miles away from the Strip, the Grand Canyon West Rim can actually be reached aboard a helicopter tour from Las Vegas. The West Rim is the rugged, less-trafficked alternative to the Grand Canyon National Park, and is owned and operated by the nearby Hualapai Indian Tribe.
This region is the home of breathtaking lookout points such as Eagle Point and Guano Point, which offers 360-degree canyon views, as well as the world-famous Grand Canyon Skywalk, the stunning glass bridge that extends 70 feet past the cliff's edge.
Undoubtedly the most incredible opportunity available at the West Rim is a helicopter tour that lands on the bottom of the Grand Canyon! This is only possible at the West Rim, and flights depart daily from both Las Vegas and the air terminal within the park. Upon landing on the canyon floor, passengers can explore the landscape, toast champagne, or enjoy a boat ride between the canyon walls along the Colorado River.
Discover trips of the Grand Canyon West Rim from Las Vegas.
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon North
The Grand Canyon North Rim, located across the gorge from the South Rim, is densely forested and home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, and even mountain lions. Open seasonally from springtime to late fall, the Grand Canyon North Rim experiences intense snowfall that forces the National Park Service to close the nearby roads for tourist safety.
The easiest way to experience the Grand Canyon North Rim is aboard a helicopter tour from the South Rim. You'll fly over the deepest and widest canyon gorges, capture photos of the unique rock formations from above, and see the lush Kaibab Forest lining the canyon's edge.
How to See the Best Grand Canyon Sights in Just One Day
Because of the vastness of the Grand Canyon, you'll have difficulty visiting more than one rim from Las Vegas in just a day's time. Once you've decided which Canyon rim is best for the adventure you're planning, you'll want to start considering the best family activities and sightseeing opportunities throughout the area.
Instead of spending half the day in the car, save travel time and fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Papillon offers daily departures to the South Rim aboard an airplane and to the West Rim from either an airplane or a helicopter. En route, passengers will capture aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Mojave Desert, and the Colorado River.
Learn more about what makes our incredible air tours a must-do activity in Las Vegas!
Helicopter Tours to the Grand Canyon
Due to its close proximity to Las Vegas, you can reach the Grand Canyon West in just over a half hour via helicopter! West Rim helicopter tours can also land on the canyon floor, where passengers can explore the wild and rugged nature, enjoy some refreshments under a shaded Native American shelter, toast champagne, or even embark on a boat ride on the Colorado River. If you want to explore the surface of the West Rim, you can also book a helicopter tour that includes park entry, shuttle service to various lookout points, and Skywalk entry passes!
Papillon's state-of-the-art helicopters are designed with climate control, enlarged windows for sightseeing and photography, and headset communications between the passengers and the pilot. Visiting the West Rim from Las Vegas on a helicopter is an unforgettable adventure for the whole family!
Browse all Las Vegas to Grand Canyon helicopter tours.
Airplane Flights to the Grand Canyon
Papillon also offers daily flights from Las Vegas to the West Rim with opportunity to add helicopter tours, canyon floor landings, Colorado River boat rides, and Skywalk entry. We also offer daily flights to the South Rim aboard a luxury airplane with the option to include either a helicopter tour over the park or a ground excursion aboard a customized military-style Hummer to various lookout points along the canyon's edge.
Papillon's airplanes are specifically designed for sightseeing and are the perfect option for medium- to large-sized groups. Each aircraft is equipped with plush seating, climate control, oversized windows, and noise-cancelling headsets with music and narration available in a variety of languages.
Discover airplane tours flying to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
Grand Canyon Adventure Tours
Looking for even more excitement? We also offer several thrilling adventure tours departing from Las Vegas! Explore nearby Bar 10 Ranch aboard a Grand Canyon ATV tour or visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ. We also offer Bryce Canyon day tours with a stop at Zion National Park!
See all adventure tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.
Book Your Grand Canyon Day Tour with Papillon!
Papillon Grand Canyon helicopters is the world's leader in air tourism. Since our first Grand Canyon flight in 1965, we've grown to fly over 300,000 passengers from around the globe to fantastic destinations across the Southwest. If you plan to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, book your tour with the world's largest and longest running air tour operator today!
FAQs About Planning Your Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Trip
Which part of the Grand Canyon is closest to Las Vegas?
The West Rim is the closest section of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas. Visitors can arrive in about 45 minutes via a Grand Canyon helicopter tour to West Rim. If driving, it is approximately 130 miles from Las Vegas which is a two and a half hour drive.
What is the best way to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?
We may be a little biased, but we believe the best way to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is aboard one of Papillon's state-of-the-art helicopter or airplane tours.
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and our partners are proud to introduce the wonder of the Grand Canyon (and other incredible landmarks) to hundreds of thousands of guests each year. We also operate the largest fleet of sightseeing aircraft in the world, offer all-inclusive pricing, and have operated for nearly 60 years, providing superior service while transporting guests the Grand Canyon.
Discover how far Las Vegas is to the Grand Canyon.
Where do Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas pick up?
We pick up for Grand Canyon tours from most major Las Vegas hotels on the Strip and Downtown.
If you are not staying at one of the major Las Vegas hotels, simply travel to the nearest one. You do not have to be staying at a hotel to be picked up by one of our shuttles.
Las Vegas hotel shuttles will drop riders off at our VIP terminal located in Boulder City, Nevada. For departures from other cities and states, visit our locations page.
Can you do a day trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon?
Absolutely! Papillon has been transporting guests to the Grand Canyon for decades. We offer multiple world-class helicopter and airplane tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon every day.
Discover the best tours to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
What is the best Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas?
Papillon offers a number of incredible day trips from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Helicopter tours, airplane tours, and adventure tours run daily from Las Vegas to the scenic destination.
A few of the most popular day tours include:
- West Rim Grand Canyon sunset helicopter tour with canyon landing
- Tours From Las Vegas To Grand Canyon Skywalk at the Grand Canyon West Rim
How much does it cost to go to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?
It depends. The price of each trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon is based on a number of factors. For example, a few of the choices that will impact the price of your trip include:
- The tour destination
- The length of your tour
- The tour vehicle that you choose
- Whether there are any additional experiences or upgrades
SeemsSeem complicated? Don't worry. The cost of each trip is conveniently located next to each individual tour listing. And with Papillon, the rate we quote online is the rate you'll pay. No guesswork required.
Learn more about fare information and rules.
Which side of the Grand Canyon is best for a day trip?
That depends on what you're looking for!
The Grand Canyon West Rim is the closest rim to Las Vegas. In addition to being closer, this rim features the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk and permits our helicopter tours to land on a private plateau on the canyon floor, something that is not allowed in Grand Canyon National Park.
However, if you're looking for a longer experience or want to visit the Grand Canyon National Park on your trip, the South Rim or North canyon are the ideal vacation destinations for you.
The South Rim features the Grand Canyon's most famous lookout points while the North side is the perfect chance to escape the crowds.
Learn more about the different rims with our Grand Canyon rim comparison guide.