July 4th is going to be the first major summer holiday of the year, and that means that you should make the most of it. If you're going to be in Las Vegas, then you will have a great opportunity to do some airplane sightseeing over the Grand Canyon. Just make sure that you book within the next few days, as tickets are selling out fast and you don't want to miss out!
There are flights at the West Rim, and also the South Rim. Flights operate all day during daylight hours, and the weather should be clear during the holiday, allowing for some awesome views.
Flight Leaving from Las Vegas
Flying out from Vegas, you will first head over the engineering marvel of the Hoover Dam, and the reservoir of Lake Mead. This is a great introduction to your sightseeing adventure, but the best is still yet to be seen. Once you reach the canyon, you will perform a stunning scenic flyover, and then head back to Vegas. However, if you go for a landing tour – and I recommend that you do – then you will be able to explore the West Rim and all that it has to offer.
When you land, you can hit some of the walking trails and check out some of the fantastic lookout points. There's also the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the famous glass and steel platform that is more than 4000ft above the bottom of the Canyon.
The best adventure, in my opinion, is at the bottom of the Canyon. You can get tickets for a landing helicopter ride that will take you from the top of the West Rim, right down to the bottom, next to the Colorado River. Here you can enjoy a picnic, and even a riverboat tour. The West Rim has so many options, so just make sure that you choose the most that you can for your budget, and you'll have a fantastic time.
South Rim Tours
From Las Vegas, you can take a direct flight to Tusayan in Arizona. This is the gateway to the Grand Canyon National Park, being right outside of the entrance to the South Rim.
Like the West Rim, there are plenty of options. You could choose to take a bus tour inside the park, which will take you to all of the major landmarks and points of interest. There's also a fantastic helicopter tour that will take you to the remote North Rim, and back to Tusayan.
Alternatively, there's an extensive airplane tour, which provides 50 minutes of epic sightseeing at the South Rim. It goes from Tusayan, all the way to the North Rim, and even out to the eastern boundary of the park grounds. On this tour, you will get to see over 75% of the entire National Park!
Book Early!
I recommend booking two weeks in advance, which means that you should book as soon as you've finished reading this guide. The reason for an early booking, is that these tours are extremely popular. They routinely sell out, and you wouldn't want to miss out on getting your tickets. You should book online with your credit card, because you'll enjoy the cheapest prices, and you will have confirmation of your seats. Even if you need to wait a few days before booking, just make sure that you don't book any later than 5 days before you intend to fly. The discount rates won't apply for last minute bookings, so you'll end up paying a premium over the standard ticket prices.
Conclusion
I hope this has provided you with a good idea of what is on offer at the Grand Canyon. Flying from Las Vegas is affordable when you choose airplane tours, and they're even suitable for larger groups of friends, families, or colleagues. I recommend the landing flight at the West Rim, and the extended 50 minute flight at the South Rim. Just be sure that you make the most of your budget, and you'll be in for a fantastic sightseeing trip that will make your 4th of July extra special.
Martin Wynn
