Zion National Park: 35-Mile Helicopter Flight & Kolob Views

See Zion's Red Rock Fingers From 3,000 Feet Up

You board a helicopter minutes from Springdale, fly 35 miles north along Zion's perimeter seeing Kolob Canyons and Red Butte Mountain from the air, listen to your pilot explain the geology and history, and land back at the private heliport. The whole experience includes landing fees and runs with small groups of at least five passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zion National Park Helicopter Flight

• Check in at private heliport
• Board helicopter with pilot
• Fly north over Smith Mesa
• View Zion National Park scenery
• See Kolob Canyons and Red Butte Mountain

The experience

So yeah, you can't actually fly over Zion itself: the park doesn't allow low-altitude helicopter passes directly overhead. But that's kind of the whole point of this tour, because what you get instead is the perimeter view, which means you're looking *into* the park from angles you'd never see from the ground. The 35-mile helicopter flight departs from a private heliport just minutes from Springdale and the main park entrance, so there's no long drive to the airfield. After a quick check-in, your pilot walks you out to the helicopter and you're up and heading north between Smith Mesa and the park itself.

The flight follows the geology that made Zion famous. Those dark red rock fingers of the Kolob Canyons rising up, the Red Butte Mountain range stretching out, the colors shifting as the light hits different layers of stone. Your pilot isn't just flying. They're narrating the history and the geology as you go, pointing out formations and explaining how the landscape actually got shaped. It's not a silent tour where you're just staring out the window. The whole thing runs 35 miles, which gives you enough time to see the major features without feeling rushed, and the vantage point from the air is genuinely the only way to take in the scale of those rock formations all at once.

The tour requires a minimum of five passengers to run, so if you're booking solo or with a small group, confirm your date a few days ahead. If the flight doesn't hit that minimum, they'll offer you an alternate time or a full refund. Infants under two can ride on an adult's lap, and kids two and up need their own seat. The heliport handles the landing and facility fees, so that's already built into the price.

What’s included

• 35-mile helicopter flight departing from the private heliport near Springdale.
• experienced pilot commentary on Zion's geology and history.
• views of Kolob Canyons, Smith Mesa, and Red Butte Mountain from the air.
• landing and facility fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 16:30Last departure this season: 3 Jan 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Zion Helicopters - Rivers Edge Facility located at 3050 East UT-9, Virgin UT 84779. We are located just 10 minutes from the town of Springdale.”

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

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zion Helicopters

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Zion's scale and geology from an angle impossible from the ground, and you're comfortable with small-group helicopter travel. The perimeter flight is what lets you take in the whole landscape at once without the park's flight restrictions getting in the way.

Traveler reviews

4.76★★★★★★★★★★

51 verified traveler reviews

5 ★46

4 ★2

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2).

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.

Can the helicopter fly directly over Zion National Park?

No. Zion doesn't permit low-altitude passenger helicopter flights over the park itself. This tour flies along the perimeter, giving you views looking into the park from the north, which still captures the Kolob Canyons, Smith Mesa, and Red Butte Mountain.

How long is the helicopter flight?

The tour covers 35 miles and takes you north from the heliport near Springdale, following the park's perimeter and major geological features.

Where does the helicopter depart from?

A private heliport located just minutes from Springdale and the main Zion National Park entrance.

What does the pilot explain during the flight?

Your pilot provides commentary on the history of the park and the geology behind Zion's distinctive rock formations, including the Kolob Canyons and Red Butte Mountain range.

What's the minimum group size for this tour?

The tour requires a minimum of five passengers. If the minimum isn't met, you'll be offered an alternate date and time or a full refund.

What's included in the price?

The 35-mile helicopter flight, landing fees, and facility fees are included. Your pilot's commentary is part of the experience.

Is there a weight limit for passengers?

Passengers weighing over 250 lbs will need to purchase an additional seat to balance the aircraft. The maximum weight limit for any single passenger is 375 lbs. Passengers over this cannot fly.