Is A Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Really Worth It?

We visited Las Vegas and decided we just HAD to try out a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. We have all the juicy details so you can decide if it’s worth it for you. Hint: it totally is.

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Taking A Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour From Las Vegas

We knew that while we were in Las Vegas we definitely wanted to check out the Grand Canyon. It’s so close by, so how could we pass up the opportunity? That would be a definite mistake to make in Las Vegas, for sure.

We looked into various options and were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of possibilities. There are endless numbers of various types of tours to take!

We initially had found an ATV Adventure tour that we wanted to try and booked it online. Shortly after, we got an email stating that due to COVID restrictions, that particular tour was not operating at the moment.

So, not to be deterred, we went back online and kept looking. (Note: That tour is operating again and is extremely highly rated!)

Flying in a helicopter was something we wanted to do for a long time. It’s a thrilling experience, and we’re all about having new great adventures!

So we booked a Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas that wouldn’t only fly us over the Canyon, but also would land inside it! It also would give us incredible views of the Hoover Dam and other nearby attractions.

There are tons of incredible Grand Canyon helicopter tours to choose from. We strongly recommend the one we took, but there are many options, each providing a slightly different experience. We’ve listed a few of the highest rated Grand Canyon helicopter tours below.

Here we are, loving life inside the helicopter.

Our pilot was fantastic. He provided us with great narration while we were flying, sharing all kinds of juicy tidbits about the sights we were seeing. When he wasn’t entertaining us with his witty words of wisdom, he put on a killer playlist that we could hear through our headphones.

Lake Mead

On our way into the Grand Canyon on our helicopter tour, we passed by Lake Mead and learned all kinds of interesting facts. Formed by the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is America’s largest reservoir, supplying drinking water for about 25 million people.

There’s an abundance of fish in Lake Mead, some protected and endangered, like the Razorback Sucker fish. Fishing enthusiasts flock to Lake Mead to try their hand at catching any number of other species of fish, however!

There are tons of cool reptiles in the Lake Mead area, like desert tortoises and iguanas, gila monsters, and snakes.

There are over 240 different types of birds that have been identified in this area too, including America’s icon itself, the Bald Eagle!  You also may find owls, falcons, hummingbirds, and various waterfowl, among others.

As far as mammals go, you might see bighorn sheep, mountain lions, beavers, coyotes, bats, and more. The Lake Mead recreation area is truly a dream for nature lovers!

If you’ve paid attention to the news in recent months, you’ll know that severe droughts had significantly impacted the water levels of Lake Mead.

In the summer of 2022 Lake Mead had record low water levels. 2023 saw Lake Mead’s water levels recover fortunately, as it provides water for around 25 million people in the area.

The record low water levels in 2022 enabled the discovery of several interesting artifacts, however.

There was a discovery of a World War II era vessel, models of which were used to carry troops to beachfront battles at Normandy. This vessel in particular was used to survey the Colorado River, then was sold to the Lake Mead Marina before it sank.

Remnants of a B-29 plane have become visible again for the first time in decades.

And disturbingly, at least 6 separate human remains have been discovered, some of which, rumor has it, are believed to be linked to decades-old mob activity in the area.

The Hoover Dam

On our Grand Canyon helicopter tour our pilot took us to get amazing aerial views of the Hoover Dam as well. Seven million people visit the Hoover Dam every year, a million of whom actually go on tours through the dam itself.

Built between the years of 1930-1936, in honor of then-president Herbert Hoover, the Hoover Dam is the highest concrete arch dam in the United States. It stands at 726 feet high, and spans 1,244 feet long.

There is a hydroelectric power plant at the base of the dam, providing electricity to 1.3 million people. It serves folks in Los Angeles and various areas in Southern California, New Mexico, and Arizona.

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The Grand Canyon

The views heading into the Grand Canyon are unbelievable. It’s honestly almost too beautiful to be real. On the ground it’s amazing, but up in the air you get a sense of the sheer size of the Canyon and it is absolutely breathtaking.

Once we landed we had a perfect little picnic with cheese and crackers, cookies, and champagne. They also gave us waters, which we definitely needed in the desert heat! It was a really nice touch. We were there with friends and it was wonderful to have a little meal to share!

After our refreshments, we had some time to walk around and enjoy the sights. Everywhere you look it’s gorgeous; you really can’t take a bad picture!

We were cautioned on our Grand Canyon helicopter tour to leave no trace, and take nothing but pictures. The local natives believe in the sacredness of the area, and to disturb the natural landscape in any way would be to be inviting bad luck upon yourselves. Or so we were told, anyway!

Seriously, the view is unreal. The landscape and scenery here at the Grand Canyon have a quiet strength that leaves you in awe. There just aren’t sufficient words to express the feeling in your soul when looking out across the Grand Canyon.

The Flight Back To Vegas

When we booked our Grand Canyon helicopter tour we opted for the Sunset Upgrade, and I’m glad we did. Flying in a helicopter into the sunset was like something out of a dream.

We got incredible shots of Las Vegas and the Strip at sunset too. How else could you get a view like this?!

Truth be told, our helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon was the highlight of our trip to Las Vegas. Don’t get me wrong, there are amazing free things to see and do in Las Vegas, and it’s always a good time, but this experience left me breathless.

If you are going to take a trip to Las Vegas, take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Bonus points if you do it at sunset too! Even better, pair a breathtaking helicopter tour with one of the many spectacular Las Vegas shows and it’s sure to be a night to remember!

Still unsure if a Grand Canyon helicopter tour is worth it? I suggest this helicopter tour with a champagne toast. It has a perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!