Grand Canyon Helicopter & Colorado River: Raft or Kayak from Las Vegas

Helicopter to the Canyon Floor: Hoover Dam, Black Canyon & Colorado River in One Day

You board a helicopter minutes from the Las Vegas Strip for a 90-minute scenic flight over Hoover Dam, the Bypass Bridge, and Grand Canyon West Rim, then descend to the Colorado River for either a guided raft float or a 4-mile kayak paddle to Emerald Cave. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch (on the raft option), and all transport between activities are included. The whole day runs from early morning until late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Hoover Dampassing by
2. Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridgepassing by
3. Fortification Hillpassing by
4. Colorado RiverEntry included3h
5. Grand Canyon West Rimpassing by

Grand Canyon helicopter and river tour

• Hotel pickup in Las Vegas
• Board helicopter at VIP terminal
• 90-minute scenic flight over West Rim
• Fly past Hoover Dam and Bypass Bridge
• Fly over Fortification Hill volcano
• Descend over Colorado River and canyon
• Choose river raft or kayak tour
• If rafting, board raft at Hoover Dam Lodge
• Float and swim in Black Canyon
• Finish rafting at Willow Beach
• If kayaking, drive to Willow Beach
• Paddle 4 miles to Emerald Cave
• Spot wildlife along riverbanks
• Return to Las Vegas hotel

The experience

The helicopter lifts off from the VIP terminal just minutes from the Strip, and within seconds you're climbing over Las Vegas toward the Hoover Dam. The 90-minute round-trip flight takes you across Lake Mead, past the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge, and over Fortification Hill: an extinct volcano that rises out of the desert in layers of rust and gold. Below, the Colorado River cuts through Black Canyon in a thin ribbon of green, and the rock walls drop away in a way that makes the scale of the place suddenly real. You're seeing the Grand Canyon's West Rim from a vantage point most people never get.

Once you land back in Las Vegas, the second half of your day splits into two choices. If you pick the river raft option, a van takes you to Boulder City and the Hoover Dam Lodge, where you board a comfortable raft at the base of the dam itself. The float down the Colorado River moves slowly enough to spot desert bighorn sheep on the canyon walls and osprey overhead, and there's time for a swim before the trip ends at Willow Beach. The kayak option is different. You start from Willow Beach instead and paddle about 4 miles upstream over roughly three hours, working toward Emerald Cave with a guide who knows where the wildlife congregates. The kayak route doesn't include lunch, and you won't see the dam from the water, but you're paddling into a narrower, more intimate section of the canyon.

Round-trip hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport yourself, and the day is structured so both activities fit: helicopter first, then water. Bring sunscreen and a hat. The sun off the water is relentless. You'll need a valid government ID to board the flight, and it has to match your ticket exactly. If you're bringing a camera, the turns over the canyon walls give you angles you won't find anywhere else.

What’s included

Your day includes 90-minute round-trip helicopter flight in a state-of-the-art aircraft, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off by deluxe van, all taxes and fees, bottled water, and either a guided Colorado River raft float with lunch or a 4-mile kayak paddle to Emerald Cave (lunch not included on kayak option).

Options for this experience

2 options

Option combining a helicopter flight and raftingGuide in English · 07:00Duration: 9 hours, covering a 4-hour float on the Colorado River by raft and a 90-minute Grand Canyon helicopter flight, with pickup included

Option combining a helicopter flight and kayakingGuide in English · 07:00Duration: 9 hours, covering a 3-hour Emerald Cave kayak tour and a 90-minute Grand Canyon helicopter flight, with pickup included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 11h, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 699 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 24 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to12h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by 5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River in a single day without renting a car or coordinating separate activities. The helicopter and water trip are timed to fit together, and hotel pickup removes the logistics entirely.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the raft and kayak options?

The raft departs from the base of Hoover Dam, includes lunch, and floats downstream through Black Canyon for about 2 hours. The kayak starts at Willow Beach, requires paddling 4 miles over roughly 3 hours to reach Emerald Cave, and does not include lunch.

How long is the helicopter flight?

The helicopter tour is 90 minutes round-trip, departing from the VIP terminal near the Las Vegas Strip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, round-trip transportation from your Las Vegas hotel is included in the tour price.

Do I need a passport or ID?

You need a valid government ID to board the flight, and it must match the name on your ticket exactly.

What if I weigh over 250 pounds?

Passengers over 250 lbs (112 kg) are required to purchase an additional seat, payable directly to the tour operator on the day of the tour.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included with the river raft option. The kayak option does not include lunch.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, towels, and a valid government ID. The sun and water reflection are intense.

Can I choose the order of activities?

The helicopter flight comes first, followed by your choice of river activity. The order may vary depending on the day's schedule.