Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours from Flagstaff

The Grand Canyon is one of the most-visited natural wonders in the United States and has been a designated national park since 1919. Nearly 5 million people journey to the Grand Canyon every year, many departing from cities like Flagstaff, Arizona. Spanning 277 river miles in length and up to 18 miles in width, there is a lot to see. Helicopter tours are one of the quickest and most awe-inspiring ways to experience this vast national treasure.

Tour Packages

Flagstaff is about 80 miles from the Grand Canyon, making it the perfect day trip for visitors to this part of Arizona. Many tour operators offer packages combining land and air transportation to provide a thorough experience of the canyon from different perspectives. Transportation to the canyon from Flagstaff is by bus or motor coach, with varying routes. The helicopter portions of the trip last 30 or 45 minutes, departing from within grand canyon tours National Park. The round-trip journey from Flagstaff, including the helicopter ride, usually takes about nine hours.

Great West Adventure Company

The Great West Adventure Company provides pickup from more than a dozen hotels and resorts in Flagstaff, for a narrated air and land tour of the South and East rims of the Grand Canyon. A bus transports guests to the Grand Canyon area, where they can take a helicopter journey lasting 30 minutes. It explores the Central Canyon and the Dragon Corridor, with narration and music in personal headphones, and the ability to record the experience on videotape through direct sound hookups. After the flight, transportation is provided to the Grand Canyon National Park for lunch and free time at the Grand Canyon Village, with paved South Rim walking trails nearby. The tour then covers the East Rim and stops at the Historic Cameron Trading Post in the Navajo Nation before returning to Flagstaff.

Flagstaff Tours

Flagstaff Tours offers several Grand Canyon expeditions from Flagstaff, with the option of a helicopter ride through the Dragon Corridor lasting 45 minutes. Luxury coaches depart from Flagstaff in the morning, driving past the San Francisco Peaks and Aspen Groves on the way to the village of Tusayan. After the helicopter ride, lunch is served at either the Yavapai or Maswik Lodge. A half-mile walk along the South Rim gives a view across 14 miles to the North Rim. The tour stops at the historic Watchtower Observatory on the East Rim and then follows the Little Colorado River Gorge with views of the Painted Desert on the Navajo Reservation. It also stops at the Historic Cameron Trading Post.

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Flagstaff Grand Canyon Tours

Flagstaff Grand Canyon Tours start in Flagstaff with a base price for the land portion and the option to add on various excursions upon arrival at the Grand Canyon, including 30- or 45-minute helicopter tours. The 30-minute ride explores the Dragon Corridor and the Central Canyon, while the 45-minute one flies over the East Canyon and the Little Colorado River. Stone monuments like Woton's Throne, Apollo Temple and the Tower of Ra can be viewed on this route, which also covers the North Rim and the Dragon Corridor. Tour guides provide full narration in luxury mini-coaches seating 14 passengers, with professional PA systems and flat-panel video screens.

Shuttles

In addition to private tour companies offering land and air packages from Flagstaff, there are shuttle services that can deliver independent travelers to points within Grand Canyon National Park. Visitor centers provide information on local helicopter tour operators. Ground transportation only from Flagstaff can be purchased from the Arizona Shuttle company (previously Flagstaff Express).