Papillon Helicopters: South Rim

Keith Kravitz on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour"Papillon Helicopters' South Rim flights are ideal for National Park visitors on a budget. Trips range up to 50 minutes in length. Remember, South Rim helicopters are not allowed to land at the bottom. If you want a flight that includes a ground segment, check out Tour #3." - Keith

South rim helicopter 30 minutes

30-Minute Flight
Tour #1

This flight departs from Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCA) and goes from the South Rim to the North Rim and back. In between, you'll fly through the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest section of the Canyon, and you'll see all the major landmarks in that area. Includes all taxes/fees. Guests must provide transportation to heliport.

Departs: South Rim/Tusayan.
Duration: 30 mins.
Hotel Transfer: No.
Meal: No.
Helicopter: EcoStar 130 (6 people).
Refunds: 100% bad weather or cancel w/in 24 hrs.
Price: Includes all taxes, fees, fuel surcharges.

$249 per person

South rim helicopter 50 minutes

50-Minute Flight (#Best value)
Tour #2

Take off from the South Rim airport and go over Kaibab National Forest to the Park's eastern border. Fly from South Rim to the North Rim while going over Desert Watchtower, the Colorado Confluence, Point Imperial and much more. Cross through the incredible Dragoon Corridor before flying past historic Grand Canyon Village and landing. This flight lets you cover up to 75% of the National Park in under an hour. Includes all taxes/fees. Must provide own transportation to the heliport.

Departs: South Rim/Tusayan.
Duration: 50 mins.
Hotel Transfer: No.
Meal: No.
Helicopter: EcoStar 130 (6 people).
Refunds: 100% bad weather or cancel w/in 24 hrs.
Price: Includes all taxes, fees, fuel surcharges

$299 per person

Helicopter sunset jeep

30-Minute w/ Jeep
Tour #3

This tour combines air and ground into one irresistible package. Starts with a 30-minute rim-to-rim helicopter flight & ends with a Jeep (totally modified for your comfort) tour that covers everything from Grand Canyon Village to Grandview Point. IMAX movie tickets included.

Departs: South Rim/Tusayan.
Duration: 3 hrs.
Hotel Transfer: No.
Meal: No.
Helicopter: Bell Ranger (6 people).
Jeep: Custom 4x4.
Refunds: 100% bad weather or cancel w/in 24 hrs.
Price: Includes all taxes, fees, fuel surcharges.

$304 per person

Keith Kravitz on a Grand Canyon helicopter tourHelicopter tours often sell out. Purchase tickets 1-2 weeks in advance. Book online for lowest price. Must complete booking on Web to qualify for Internet discount rate. Prices subject to change. Cancel 24 hours prior to flight time for full refund. Questions? Call 702-530-8687 or start a Live Chat (right side of page) - Keith



About Papillon Helicopters at the South Rim

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters is one of the longest-operating helicopter tour companies at the Grand Canyon, with flights departing daily from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, Arizona. The company runs both aerial-only tours and combination packages that pair a helicopter flight with a ground segment — ideal for visitors who want to stand at the canyon rim with a naturalist guide after seeing it from the air.

All South Rim flights use the EcoStar 130 helicopter, a six-passenger aircraft with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and a noticeably quieter cabin than older helicopter models. Guests don't need their own transportation to reach the West Rim or Las Vegas for a bottom landing — these tours are specifically for visitors who are already at or near the South Rim and want the aerial perspective without a separate trip.

The Aerial Tours

30-Minute Tour: This flight covers the South Rim to North Rim route through the Dragoon Corridor, the widest and deepest section of the canyon. It includes views of Bright Angel Trail, Phantom Ranch at the canyon floor, the Colorado River, and the North Rim. The Dragoon Corridor is where the canyon's geology is most exposed and where the 2-billion-year-old Vishnu Basement Rocks are visible at the innermost canyon walls. This is Papillon's entry-level South Rim flight — a complete experience in its own right.

50-Minute Tour: Papillon's recommended South Rim option extends the route eastward to include the Desert Watchtower, the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers, and a much larger cross-section of the National Park. The extended flight covers approximately 75% of Grand Canyon National Park by air — territory that most visitors on a standard ground-level trip never reach. The additional 20 minutes is the most straightforward way to significantly expand your aerial view of the canyon.

The Jeep Combination Tour

Papillon's 30-Minute Helicopter and Jeep tour pairs the aerial flight with a guided 4x4 excursion along the South Rim. After landing from the helicopter flight, guests join a guide for a ground-level exploration of sections of the rim accessible only by 4x4 vehicle. This combination is well-suited for visitors who want both the aerial perspective and the experience of being at the canyon's edge with local narration — a different kind of detail and intimacy than the helicopter provides.

What to Know Before You Go

South Rim helicopter tours depart from Tusayan, not from Las Vegas. Guests must provide their own transportation to the Tusayan heliport — there is no hotel pickup for South Rim departures. The airport is on Highway 64, about one mile from the park's main entrance, with parking available at the terminal. Plan to arrive at least 20–30 minutes before your scheduled flight for check-in and the pre-flight briefing.

Papillon's South Rim tours do not include a canyon floor landing. The National Park Service prohibits commercial helicopter landings within the canyon on the South Rim side. For tours that include a landing, those depart from Las Vegas to the West Rim, which is operated independently under Hualapai Tribal authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Papillon's South Rim and Las Vegas tours?
Papillon's South Rim flights are aerial-only tours departing from Tusayan, Arizona, directly at the canyon. The Las Vegas tours involve flying from Las Vegas to the West Rim and can include a landing at the canyon floor. If you're already at the South Rim, the Tusayan flights are far more convenient. If you're in Las Vegas and want a bottom landing, those tours depart from the Las Vegas area.

Which tour does Papillon recommend?
The 50-minute tour is generally considered the best value among the aerial-only options — it covers significantly more of the National Park and gives you a far more complete sense of the canyon's geography. The 30-minute tour is a good choice for visitors with limited time or budget.

Can I see the Skywalk on a Papillon South Rim tour?
No. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is located at the West Rim, which is a separate location from the South Rim. To visit the Skywalk, you would need a West Rim helicopter tour departing from Las Vegas.

What is the cancellation policy?
Tours cancelled due to weather receive a full refund. Guest-initiated cancellations within 24 hours of the flight are generally eligible for a full refund as well. The booking confirmation will include the specific policy for your reservation.