Grand Canyon West Rim Tours

Grand Canyon West Rim Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest city to the Grand Canyon West Rim?

• Las Vegas is the closest city to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. The West Rim is approximately a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas and a 3.5-hour drive from Flagstaff, Arizona.

  Why drive when you can fly? Papillon offers multiple helicopter and airplane tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. We even offer convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off at most major Las Vegas hotels.

What is the climate of the Grand Canyon West Rim like?

• The West Rim experiences a much more consistent desert climate than other rims of the canyon. The West Rim receives approximately 300 sunny days each year. 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.

Can I access the Grand Canyon floor at the West Rim?

• Absolutely! Visitors wishing to experience the canyon floor can do so at the Grand Canyon West. Since it is not part of a national park but, instead, tribal land, the West Rim is the only region of the Grand Canyon that allows helicopter landings on the very bottom. Daily helicopter tours operating at the West Rim transport passengers to the canyon floor near the bank of the Colorado River.

Can I see everything at the Grand Canyon West Rim in one day?

• Yes! The West Rim is the best option for travelers on a tight schedule. All the major viewpoints and activities at the Grand Canyon West Rim can be accomplished in a single day! A convenient shuttle service can transport guests free of charge to all the best viewpoints, the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and Hualapai Point - a Native American Cultural Center. On West Rim helicopter tours with Papillon, visitors can also land on a private plateau of the canyon floor with plenty of time to explore.

Is there an entrance fee for the Grand Canyon West Rim?

• If you are not booking a tour through Papillon, you’ll pay a stand-alone entry fee to enter the West Rim. Since the West Rim is not inside the Grand Canyon National Park, all visitors must pay the fee and National Park passes are not valid. Current fees are listed here.

Is the Grand Canyon West Rim entrance fee included with my Papillon tour?

• Yes! With Papillon's world-class helicopter or airplane tours, you'll receive a pass to the West Rim. Plus you'll get to experience once-in-a-lifetime views during your tour. That's a price you just can't beat! The price of each tour of the West Rim Grand Canyon is listed online next to the booking location. With Papillon what you see is what you get. Our lowest prices are available online - taxes and fees included!

Is the Grand Canyon Skywalk worth visiting the West Rim for?

• There is a reason why the Grand Canyon Skywalk is the most popular tourist attraction at the Grand Canyon! Picture yourself gazing out over the expanse of ancient rock while suspended 4,000 feet above a glass bridge you can see through the boom of; all the way to the Grand Canyon floor! There is nothing quite like the Grand Canyon Skywalk and, since opening in 2007, this glass cantilever bridge has quickly become one of the most talked about activities in the entire Southwest. If you're visiting the Grand Canyon West Rim, the Skywalk will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.