Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour: 25-min flight over South Rim

Glide through the Dragon Corridor’s vast depths on a breathtaking aerial journey

A 25-minute helicopter tour of Grand Canyon National Park that flies over the canyon's widest and deepest section, the Colorado River winding through red rock walls, and the Kaibab National Forest bordering the North and South Rims. In-flight narration is available in ten languages. You can add a 2-hour guided Hummer tour to three scenic viewpoints—Duck on a Rock, Yavapai Point, and Moran Point—or book the helicopter flight alone. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Grand Canyon South Rim Helicopter Tour

• Fly over Grand Canyon's deepest part
• View Colorado River winding below
• See forest landscape near canyon rims

The Experience

The flight departs from the South Rim and climbs into a state-of-the-art EcoStar helicopter, where you spend 25 minutes watching the canyon unfold below. The route takes you over the Dragon Corridor, the canyon's deepest and widest section, where the Colorado River threads through walls of exposed rock formations that are among the oldest on Earth. A brief pass over the Kaibab National Forest's rugged landscape on the North Rim rounds out the aerial portion before the return to the South Rim.

If you choose the Hummer option, a professional driver meets you after landing and takes you to three distinct viewpoints across the park. Duck on a Rock, Yavapai Point, and Moran Point each offer different angles on the canyon's scale and geology, with time built in to explore and photograph. This ground portion runs two hours and completes the full experience. The helicopter flight alone takes about 25 minutes; adding the Hummer extends your time on the South Rim to roughly three hours total.

International visitors ages 16 and older who book a Hummer option should know that Grand Canyon National Park charges entrance fees for non-U.S. residents on commercial ground tours starting January 1, 2026—either a $250 annual pass or $100 per adult; children 15 and under are free. Children under two sit on an adult's lap during the flight. Passengers weighing 300 pounds or more will need to purchase an additional seat, payable directly to the operator on the day of the tour.

What’s included

• A 25-minute flight in a luxury EcoStar helicopter over the Dragon Corridor and Colorado River.
• in-flight narration available in ten languages.
• a 2-hour guided Hummer tour to Duck on a Rock, Yavapai Point, and Moran Point (if you choose that option at checkout).

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Papillon Helicopters

Is this one for you?Book the helicopter-only option if you want the aerial views without committing to a longer ground experience. Add the Hummer tour if you want to stand at three distinct viewpoints and have a guide explain what you're seeing from the rim itself—the two perspectives together show you the canyon's scale in a way neither alone can match.

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Top questions

Can I book just the helicopter flight without the Hummer tour?

Yes. The 25-minute helicopter flight is available as a standalone option, and you can also choose to add the 2-hour Hummer ground tour or a sunset Hummer tour at checkout.

What languages is the in-flight narration available in?

The helicopter tour includes in-flight narration in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and five additional languages, so you can select your preference when you book.

What are Duck on a Rock, Yavapai Point, and Moran Point?

These are three scenic viewpoints on the South Rim that the Hummer tour visits. Each offers different perspectives of the canyon's geology and scale, with time to stop, explore, and photograph at each location.

How long is the entire experience if I add the Hummer tour?

The helicopter flight is approximately 25 minutes, and the guided Hummer tour is 2 hours, so plan for roughly three hours total including check-in and transition between the flight and ground portion.

Do I need to bring anything or meet at a specific time?

Arrive 30 minutes before your departure time for check-in. All passengers 18 and older must bring a government-issued photo ID; infants under two need proof of age such as a passport or birth certificate copy.

What's included in the tour price?

The helicopter flight, in-flight narration in your chosen language, and the Hummer tour (if selected) are included. Gratuities, food, drinks, and hotel pickup are not included.