Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour from Tusayan: 45-Minute Flight

Fly over the Little Colorado River confluence, looking 5,000 feet down into the inner gorge.

A 45-minute shared helicopter tour departing from Tusayan covers the Grand Canyon's South Rim, North Rim, the dramatic Little Colorado River confluence, and the Dragon Corridor on the return. The flight includes government fees, landing and facility fees, fuel surcharge and parking. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and five additional languages. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter tour over Grand Canyon

• Depart from Grand Canyon Helicopters terminal
• Climb above Kaibab National Forest
• Fly over South Rim canyon
• Fly toward Little Colorado River confluence
• Drift past Imperial Point near North Rim
• Continue along North Rim plateau
• Return via Dragon Corridor to South Rim
• Follow rim back to Tusayan terminal

The experience

The helicopter departs from the Grand Canyon Helicopters terminal at Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan and climbs above the Kaibab National Forest before crossing the South Rim, where the ground drops away and the canyon opens more than a mile deep below. From there, the flight heads toward the Little Colorado River confluence, where you look more than 5,000 feet down into the inner gorge at vivid rock colors, sharp canyon walls and the contrasting river channels where the two rivers meet.

The route then drifts past Imperial Point, a striking sandstone spire standing alone near the North Rim. Flying at roughly the same elevation as the plateau gives unusually close views of the cliffs and mesas. As you continue along the North Rim, the higher elevation and cooler temperatures support thicker forests and plant communities unique to this side of the canyon: a very different landscape from the arid South Rim you crossed at the start.

The return sweeps through the Dragon Corridor, one of the widest and deepest sections of the canyon, where sweeping rock walls and layered colors offer some of the most spectacular photo opportunities. The flight then traces the South Rim back toward Tusayan and the terminal. A live guide narrates in your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or five other languages throughout the flight.

What’s included

• Government fees.
• landing and facility fees.
• fuel surcharge.
• parking.
• live guide narration in multiple languages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and Korean

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by hoper

Is this one for you?At 45 minutes airborne, the tour leaves the rest of your day open for other Grand Canyon activities or a return to your hotel, making it a focused aerial overview rather than a full-day commitment. The shared helicopter means lower cost than a private flight, and the fixed route covers both rims and the inner gorge in a single loop.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

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 do I see when the helicopter flies over the Little Colorado River?

The Little Colorado River confluence shows vivid rock colors, sharp canyon walls and the contrasting river channels more than 5,000 feet below, where the Little Colorado meets the main Colorado River inside the inner gorge.

How is the North Rim different from the South Rim on this tour?

The North Rim sits at higher elevation with cooler temperatures and thicker forests, supporting plant and animal communities unlike the arid South Rim. The helicopter flies at roughly plateau level near the North Rim for close views of the cliffs and mesas.

What is the Dragon Corridor and why is it part of the route?

The Dragon Corridor is one of the widest and deepest sections of the canyon, with sweeping rock walls and layered colors that offer some of the most spectacular photo opportunities before the flight returns to the South Rim.

What's included in the helicopter tour price?

Government fees, landing and facility fees, fuel surcharge and parking are all included. Gratuities and private transportation are not.

How long is the actual flight time?

The tour is 45 minutes airborne, departing from and returning to the Tusayan terminal.