From happy customers

Loved by 48 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Allen Easterling
US

Allen

United States
Feb 2026

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My husband and I were in town for our 1 year anniversary ... we landed down by the river and had the champagne and it was the most beautiful scenery and sights we have seen. We had the best pilot, I'm thinking it was Mitch . He was so knowledgeable and had a great personality and even had great music. This was a really great tour and would highly recommend for a lifetime memory.
Shlomo Shenzis

Shlomo

Jan 2026

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The helicopter tour was an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. The panoramic view of the grand canyon from above were truly spectacular, offering a breathtaking perspective of the landscape. The entire team, from the pilot to the ground staff, was exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Their genuine warmth and engaging sense of humor added an extra layer of enjoyment to an already unforgettable journey. I highly recommend this tour for an incredible adventure and a truly memorable outing.
EHV Dahmen
NL

Ehv

Netherlands
Feb 2026

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It was an amaxing experience! It is God's wonder! Flying above the woods and then suddenly be part of this wonder Thanks to the Papillon helicopter crew!
Kristopher Kulseth
US

Kristopher

United States
Sep 2025

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Awesome trip! Pilot was friendly, professional, and happy to answer questions during the flight. Highly recommended for all ages!
Lisa Burgess
GB

Lisa

United Kingdom
Oct 2025

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What an amazing trip this was. Our guide Gia was sooooo knowledgeable and such good fun. The Canyon itself was simply WOW. We did the sky walk and decided to add the helicopter and boat to our day and I can honestly say it was worth every penny. We will absolutely be back to Vegas and will use this company again.
Terri L Cunkle
US

Terri

United States
Sep 2025

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#It was incredible, we did the VIP tour to go underground along with up top. We were on a tour bus group, could have used at least another 1/2 hour there. But overall loved it. We have been to Vegas several times and this is the first time we've done the Dam tour. A must do.
Steve O'Connor
US

Steve

United States
Jan 2026
The views from inside the canyon were spectacular! The pilot Justin was excellent very professional and very informative! The whole experience will never be forgotten.
Anthony H

Anthony

Sep 2025
Pilot was great and was very informative. Great views and very clean and professional. Highly recommended if you only have a short time in the park

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What to expect on a Grand Canyon South Rim tour

Guests on the hummer tour, 45min Grand Canyon National Park Helicopter Tour with Optional Hummer Tour
Airplane flying over the Grand Canyon during Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park tour.
Red helicopter flying over the Grand Canyon.
Snow-covered cliffs at the Grand Canyon with a view of the expansive canyon landscape.
Guests seated on a cliff edge, viewing the Grand Canyon South Rim during a 45-minute airplane tour.
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Guided on-ground Hummer tours

Join a guided Hummer ride to explore viewpoints like Moran Point and Grandview Point, often timed for daytime or sunset. It’s a fun, open-air way to cover a lot of ground and learn from local guides.

Enjoy a helicopter or airplane tour

See the vast expanse of the canyon from above on a scenic flight. Aerial tours offer unmatched perspectives of the Colorado River, plateaus, and gorges that are hard to see in one go from the ground.

Add an aerial exploration of the North Rim to your itinerary

Multiple helicopter tours or airplane tours of the South Rim cover North Rim grounds as well, year-round, so you can see the vast expanse of the beautiful forested region by air, even if you cannot explore it on foot.

Explore the Grand Canyon any time of the year

If you want to avoid the peak season crowds, or want to witness the snowcapped peaks during the winter months, or simply want to visit on your own time, the South Rim tours run year-round, giving you the freedom to explore Grand Canyon whenever you’d like.

Enjoy time to make your South Rim exploration your own

Most of your South Rim tours are between 1 and 3 hours, so you can spend the day building your itinerary to your liking. The attractions, activities, and viewpoints make the South Rim fun and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Things to know before booking your South Rim tour

  • Timings: The South Rim is open to visitors year-round, though some sections might be closed in the winter months. Helicopter tours and airplane tours might be cancelled because of thunderstorms, harsh winds, or poor visibility, especially during the monsoon months (July and August).
  • Location and access: The South Rim can be accessed by bus from all nearby cities, Grand Canyon Railway (from Williams, AZ), and by car. Most visitors choose to drive down unless they choose a tour with round-trip transport
  • Entrance fee: The pass is valid for 7 days from the date of purchase: $20 per person, $35 per vehicle, or $30 for a motorcycle (includes the North Rim when accessible). 
  • Transport: Complimentary shuttle service is available around the South Rim, across multiple viewpoints and attractions (wheelchair accessible). 
  • Tours from Las Vegas: Choose between an airplane tour or a bus tour from Las Vegas for round-trip comfort and sightseeing along the way, making the travel hassle-free, allowing you to fully enjoy your South Rim exploration. 
  • Short tours: You can also book a shorter helicopter tour (25/45 mins) of the Grand Canyon National Park, and a guided Hummer tour to combine aerial sightseeing with on-ground exploration with a guide of the iconic viewpoints and landmarks of the South Rim.
  • Aerial tour restrictions: All aerial tours have a passenger weight limit of 300 pounds (136 kilos). Those exceeding will have to purchase an additional seat to board.
  • Accessibility: The South Rim is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, with paved pathways, viewpoints, accessible shuttles, and multiple dining and stay options for added comfort.
  • Safety: Stay on marked trails, carry water, and be prepared for changing weather conditions. Do not feed or interact with any wildlife you may encounter on your way, and always keep offline maps downloaded in case you are traveling towards the canyon floor.

Learn more about the South Rim here >

Your Grand Canyon South Rim tours explained

TourTour typeDurationStarting pointSights coveredHighlightsInclusionsUpgradesTickets

25-min Grand Canyon National Park Helicopter Tour with Optional Hummer Tour

Helicopter tour

30 mins/3 hrs

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Airport

South Rim, North Rim, Kaibab Forest, Tower of Ra, Vishnu Schist, Dragon Corridor

Highlights tour of the Grand Canyon from a bird’s-eye view, ideal for short visits

Helicopter tour, multilingual narration

Choice of helicopter, Hummer tour, choice between daytime and sunset tour

From $289

From Las Vegas: Day Trip to Grand Canyon National Park via Airplane Plus Guided Hummer Tour

Day trip

9 hrs

Boulder City Municipal Airport

Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Mojave Desert, Colorado River, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Pipe Creek Vista, Duck on a Rock, Grandview Point, Yavapai Point, or Mather Point

Hassle-free trip from Las Vegas that combines aerial sightseeing with on-ground guided exploration

Airplane tour, multilingual narration, guided Hummer tour, round-trip travel from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, lunch

Add a helicopter tour

From $634

2-hour Grand Canyon National Park Hummer Tour

Hummer Tour

2/3 hrs

Buck Wild Hummer Tours (South Rim)

Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Grandview Point, optional Grandview Trail & stop for sunset

Guided tour with photo stops, wildlife spotting, sightseeing at popular viewpoints

Hummer tour, guide

Sunset tour, hiking below the rim

From $119

From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon National Park Tour

Bus tour/day trip

13 hrs

Las Vegas

South Rim, Mather Point, Bright Angel Lodge, Bright Angel Trail

Round-trip bus transport, tour of Grand Canyon, with 3 hours for self-exploration, with admission to the National Park included

Grand Canyon National Park entrance fee, bus transport to/from Las Vegas, South Rim tour with photo stops, free time for self-exploration

Box lunch, guided walking tour at the South Rim

From $74

45-min Grand Canyon National Park Helicopter Tour with Optional Hummer Tour

Helicopter tour

45 mins/3 hrs

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Airport

East Rim, North Rim, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Kaibab Forest, Colorado River, Painted Desert, Desert View Watchtower, Dragon Corridor

Aerial tour in an EcoStar helicopter with oversized windows and theater-style seating

Helicopter tour, multilingual narration

2-hour guided Hummer tour

From $399

45-min Grand Canyon National Park Airplane Tour with Optional Hummer Tour

Airplane tour

45 mins/3 hrs

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Airport

South Rim, Zuni Corridor, Imperial Point, Colorado River, Kaibab National Forest, Kaibab Plateau

More area covered, ideal for larger groups, higher altitudes offering a broader view of the Grand Canyon

Airplane tour, multilingual narration

Guided Hummer tour

From $189

25/45-min Grand Canyon National Park Helicopter/Airplane & Hummer Tour

Aerial and ground tour

3/4 hrs

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Airport

South Rim, North Rim, Kaibab Forest, Colorado River, Dragon Corridor, Imperial Point (aerial tour), Yavapai Point, Moran Point, Duck on a Rock (Hummer tour)

Combine sightseeing from multiple vantage points with a guided tour with photo stops, commentary, and exploration

Airplane/helicopter tour, Hummer tour, guide

45 mins tour vs 25 mins, airplane vs helicopter, day tour vs sunset tour

From $309

Grand Canyon South Rim map

Grand Canyon South Rim map highlighting trails and viewpoints.

Highlights of your Grand Canyon South Rim tours

Visitors at Mather Point enjoying the Grand Canyon's expansive view.
Snow-covered benches at Yavapai Point Amphitheater, Grand Canyon, with canyon view.
Grandview Point view of the Grand Canyon's layered rock formations and vast landscape.
Group enjoying a Hummer tour at Grand Canyon National Park.
Helicopter pilot flying over Grand Canyon during Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West tour.

Plan your visit

Guest viewing Grand Canyon from airplane window on South Rim tour.

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but the Visitor Center opening hours are limited.

  • South Rim Visitor Center hours: 
    May 23 to Aug 31: 8am to 4pm
    Sep 1 to May 22: 8am to 5pm

Please note: Grand Canyon operates on Arizona time, which does not observe daylight savings. Keep this in mind when planning your trip if you are traveling from a different state.

Find out more about the timings & best time to visit here

South Rim Visitor Center: AZ-67, North Rim, AZ 86023, United States | Find on Maps
Nearby landmark: Mather Point (0.3 miles)

Distance from South Rim Entrance Station: 10-minute drive (5 miles)
Distance from Grand Canyon National Park Airport: 15-minute drive (7.9 miles)
Distance from Las Vegas, NV: 4.5-hour drive (293 miles)
Distance from Page, AZ: 2.5-hour drive (131 miles)
Distance from Flagstaff, AZ: 1.5-hour drive (80 miles)

Parking: The Visitor Center has 4 major parking lots surrounding the Visitor Center.

Find the best ways to reach Grand Canyon
Wheelchair accessible route sign with arrow pointing right.
  • There are multiple shuttles with accessible seats for those with mobility issues, making it easy to explore the South Rim.
  • Multiple accessible viewpoints are available to choose from, with paved pathways and minimal walking involved.
  • Those with any cardiac, back, respiratory, or other similar ailments should refrain from participating in strenuous activities at the South Rim.
  • Hummer, helicopter, and aerial tours are all wheelchair accessible.
  • All aerial tours have weight limits, and visitors exceeding 300 lbs (136 kilos) need to purchase an additional seat to participate in the tour.
Open tent with view of Grand Canyon cliffs and sky.
  • Stay on designated trails and viewpoints to protect the environment and ensure your safety.
  • Do not feed, touch, or approach wildlife under any circumstances.
  • Drones are strictly prohibited within Grand Canyon National Park.
  • Camp only in designated areas and obtain proper permits for backcountry hiking.
  • Fires are only allowed in designated fire pits and may be restricted during dry seasons.
  • Pets must be on a leash and are only allowed on specific trails.
  • Follow Leave No Trace principles; dispose of waste properly, avoid littering at all costs.
Applying sunscreen outdoors.
  • If you plan on hiking or camping, make sure you have all the necessary backcountry permits needed to do so, and book your campground spot well in advance. The spaces are limited and can sell out quickly.
  • Carry ample water, food, and snacks, and keep an offline/physical copy of the map if you’re planning on hiking below the rim.
  • Carry plenty of sun protection, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and layered clothing, to keep you prepared for the changing temperatures.
  • Try to make time to visit sites like the Yavapai Geology Museum, Hermit’s Rest, and other cultural landmarks to gain a better understanding of the canyon’s geology and history.
  • Opt for aerial tours if you’re short on time and want to make the most of your visit. This way, you can see a lot more of the Grand Canyon in a short time period, and combine it with ground tours and other activities.

Frequently asked questions about South Rim tours of the Grand Canyon

Your tour duration depends on the type of tour selected. Hummer tours are typically 2-3 hours long, aerial tours last for about 30-45 mins, and tours from Las Vegas are for about 12-14 hours.

More reads

Grand Canyon National Park Tours

Grand Canyon National Park Tours

North Rim Tours

North Rim Tours

West Rim Tours

West Rim Tours