Grand Canyon Tours & Things to Do

How Much Time Do You Have to Spend Visiting the Grand Canyon?

If you only have a few hours to see the Grand Canyon, consider booking an air or helicopter tour. Quick airplane tours are widely available Grand Canyon (Tusayan) Airport. Because airplane tours can accommodate 6-8 passengers at a time, they tend to be relatively affordable and are a prime way to see the Grand Canyon in a short amount of time. These short, non-landing air tours provide aerial views only, flying over the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert and the Kaibab Plateau on a circuit from the South to the North Rim and back.

Similarly, helicopter tours are an excellent choice for those short on time. These tours range in duration and price, but there is something for almost every pocketbook and schedule. If you only have a few hours, you will want to choose a helicopter tour that takes off from the South Rim airport near Tusayan, and opt for a 25-to 45-minute tour. Either way, you'll marvel at the pilot's expert narration, personalized attention, and stunning aerial views, a perspective you can only get from a helicopter or airplane.

Half-day tours to the Grand Canyon are widely available from Las Vegas to the West Rim. With 5–6 hours to spend, you can travel by airplane or helicopter, landing at the West Rim and either step off the aircraft to ride the hop-on-hop-off shuttle around Grand Canyon West, including the Grand Canyon Skywalk and Guano Point, or take a helicopter below the Rim landing on the Canyon floor for a champagne picnic.

With a full day to spend visiting the Grand Canyon, the array of options opens up as wide as the Canyon itself. Choose from ground tours from Las Vegas, Flagstaff or Sedona or air/ground combination tours from Las Vegas or Phoenix. Typically, full day tours pickup from your departure city hotel in a comfortable van, bus or coach and offer visitors anywhere from 11 to 16 hours to travel in stress-free comfort, stopping at all the best viewpoints and attractions along the way.

Combination tours, like airplane and helicopter tours that fly out from Las Vegas, land at either the West Rim or the South Rim. At Grand Canyon West, you can spend the rest of the full day utilizing the hop-on-hop-off shuttle to tour Eagle Point, the Grand Canyon Skywalk, Guano Point and Grand Canyon West Ranch. With extra time to spare, fill your itinerary with horseback riding along the rim, a helicopter landing on the floor of the Canyon, or a boat ride on the Colorado River. Full-day tours like this generally last 11–13 hours.

If your combo tour is headed for the South Rim, you'll land in Tusayan at the Grand Canyon Airport, then be whisked away in a touring van to visit the National Park. With several hours dedicated to allowing leisurely visits to all the viewpoints around Grand Canyon Village, you'll get to see "the real Grand Canyon" without feeling rushed or shortchanged.

One of the most popular full day tours is the Grand Canyon Railway. Depart the train depot in Williams in the morning, and enjoy an outstanding ride right to the South Rim. Take several hours to explore Grand Canyon Village and its many scenic overlooks, visitor centers, gift shops, and museums before climbing aboard the train for a late-afternoon return trip to Williams.

If heart-pounding whitewater action is your thing, but you don't have a week to spend going down the Colorado River, check out 1-day river rafting from Peach Springs to Grand Canyon West. The Hualapai River Runners are the exclusive provider of 1-day white river rafting at the Grand Canyon, and you can book these tours through a tour broker like Rivers and Oceans, or directly with the Hualapai tribe. Expect to spend the night before at the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, and be on the river from dawn 'til dusk. A shuttle will take you back to Peach Springs at the close of the day.

Finally, if you're starting from Phoenix, you'll need a full day to take a ground tour to the South Rim. Choose a tour that picks up at your Phoenix area hotel in the early morning, and enjoy a relaxing day of expert narration, scenic views and fully guided fun. Plan on about 16 hours start to finish, with about 9 hours of driving round trip.

Multi-day ground tours to the Grand Canyon are the ideal solution for visitors who do not want to drive themselves but want to see as much of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Las Vegas and/or Phoenix as possible. These tours also have the added bonus of building in Grand Canyon-area lodging to your trip itinerary, which makes the planning process that much easier. Check out multi-day trips that start in Las Vegas, touring the Grand Canyon and Sedona and ending in Phoenix, or vice versa. There are also longer tours that actually hit 8 National Parks and monuments of the Grand Circle, spanning thousands of miles of Arizona and Utah over a several-night excursion.

Another common type of multi-night Grand Canyon adventure is the Colorado River whitewater rafting trip. Choose from the Upper Canyon or Lower Canyon, spending 3–7 days on the river, or really go for the gusto and spend a couple of weeks rafting the entire length of the Canyon. These trips are typically once-in-a-lifetime adventures, need to be booked about a year in advance and require a significant budget, but the payoff is a memorable experience of epic proportions.

Finally, outdoor enthusiasts may want to hook up with a professional backpacking guide to lead them on a multi-night hiking trip down into the Grand Canyon. The benefit of doing a backpacking trip with a pro is that all of the equipment, meal planning and logistics are taken care of for you. If you're doing a rim-to-rim trip, the guides will arrange one-way transportation back to your starting point, and professionals also manage the entire backcountry permit process.


RECOMMENEDED GRAND CANYON TOURS

Arizona Private Tours

Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and
Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and up to 6 guests on a completely customizable tour of Northern Arizona. For majestic private Grand Canyon tours to Verde Valley Wine tours & ghost towns in the Sedona area, we cover it all. Let us create the custom tour of your dreams and know that we want to make this a day that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Day Tour

Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest- Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend! Our Lower Antelope Canyon Tours take you into the heart of one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world. Afterward, we visit the famous Horseshoe Bend, where yo

Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest- Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend! Our Lower Antelope Canyon Tours take you into the heart of one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world. Afterward, we visit the famous Horseshoe Bend, where you can peer off the edge at the mighty Colorado River!


Western River Expeditions

Discover the Grand Canyon, endless in scenic wonder, rich in Native American history and loaded with fun and adventure, Western River Expeditions' Grand Canyon tours are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Exploring the Grand Canyon by river is an experience unlike any other. Discover hidden
Discover the Grand Canyon, endless in scenic wonder, rich in Native American history and loaded with fun and adventure, Western River Expeditions' Grand Canyon tours are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Exploring the Grand Canyon by river is an experience unlike any other. Discover hidden waterfalls and paradisiacal side canyons - areas of Grand Canyon National Park that are accessible only by river.

Maverick Helicopter Tours

Maverick Helicopters offers tours of the Grand Canyon West Rim and South Rim. Maverick brings VIP service to the canyon with climate-controlled helicopters and unobstructed views perfect for sightseeing. They give you an adventure of a lifetime and not just another tour of the Grand Canyon
Maverick Helicopters offers tours of the Grand Canyon West Rim and South Rim. Maverick brings VIP service to the canyon with climate-controlled helicopters and unobstructed views perfect for sightseeing. They give you an adventure of a lifetime and not just another tour of the Grand Canyon.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

World's Largest and Most Experienced Helicopter Sightseeing Company! Daily multilingual tours of Grand Canyon departing from Grand Canyon Airport at the South Rim near Tusayan. Choose from a variety of Helicopter Tours, whether you have 1 hour or several to see the Grand Canyon.

Best Grand Canyon Day Tour

Voted on Trip Advisor as the most popular Grand Canyon day tour. This is the best way to enjoy the Grand Canyon without doing any strenuous hiking. Nearly five million people come to see the Canyon each year and many spend much of their time trying to figure out what to do. Our professi

Voted on Trip Advisor as the most popular Grand Canyon day tour. This is the best way to enjoy the Grand Canyon without doing any strenuous hiking. Nearly five million people come to see the Canyon each year and many spend much of their time trying to figure out what to do. Our professional guides will make sure you get the most out of your trip. While touring in comfort you will learn about the geology and history of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The day tour includes short walks to some incredible "less-used" outlooks, a looking into some of the areas most impressive historic buildings, and time to browse resident art galleries and gift shops.


Wildland Trekking

Go on an epic journey to the Grand Canyon! Services include 1 to 8 day hiking adventures, tasty backcountry cuisine, and quality gear served up by America's most experienced and knowledgeable Grand Canyon guides. 25+ years experience in adventure travel.

Self-Guided Driving Tour of Hoover Dam from Las Vegas

Visit the mighty Hoover Dam not as a tourist but as an expert! This self-guided driving tour leads you from either Las Vegas or Arizona to the Hoover Dam and reveals the dramatic story behind its construction along the way. Discover a tale of desperation, high-flying acrobatics, and sheer
Visit the mighty Hoover Dam not as a tourist but as an expert! This self-guided driving tour leads you from either Las Vegas or Arizona to the Hoover Dam and reveals the dramatic story behind its construction along the way. Discover a tale of desperation, high-flying acrobatics, and sheer human ambition as you drive. Then, walk along the dam itself and admire this amazing feat of engineering up close! Listen to over 50 stories that will keep you engaged as you drive to Hoover Dam.

Grand Canyon South Rim Self-Guided Driving Tour

Witness one of the natural wonders of the world in all its glory. The Grand Canyon is so massive, and awe-inspiring that you simply must see it with your own two eyes to truly understand its scale. This value-for-money self-guided tour takes you to all the best vistas and hiking trails. Ex
Witness one of the natural wonders of the world in all its glory. The Grand Canyon is so massive, and awe-inspiring that you simply must see it with your own two eyes to truly understand its scale. This value-for-money self-guided tour takes you to all the best vistas and hiking trails. Explore Grand Canyon at your own pace with over 60 stories laid out on a 45-mile route.
  • Fully Guided Personal Tours
  • Professionally Narrated Stories
  • Tour Valid Forever
  • Works Offline
  • Fun Facts
  • Tour At Your Own Pace
  • Location Aware, Plays Automatically
  • Don’t Miss Any Sightseeing Points
  • No Groups. No Tips

  • Ultimate Arizona Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tours Bundle

    Experience Arizona’s stunning natural beauty with this GPS-guided tour bundle. This bundle takes you through the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Instagram-famous Horseshoe Bend so you can get the most out of your time in this unique state. Take your time explore this incredible state, at your ow
    Experience Arizona’s stunning natural beauty with this GPS-guided tour bundle. This bundle takes you through the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Instagram-famous Horseshoe Bend so you can get the most out of your time in this unique state. Take your time explore this incredible state, at your own pace with our tour app. More than 120+ stories to keep you engaged as you drive along or visit some of the most famous sightseeing points in all of Arizona.
  • Fully Guided Personal Tours
  • Professionally Narrated Stories
  • Tour Valid Forever
  • Works Offline
  • Fun Facts
  • Tour At Your Own Pace
  • Location Aware, Plays Automatically
  • Don’t Miss Any Sightseeing Points
  • No Groups. No Tips

  • Sedona & Red Rock State Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

    Tap into the energy of the Earth in beautiful Sedona! Locals call this a cathedral without walls, and it only takes one look to understand why. Surrounded by towering buttes and spires of bold red rock and bisected by a canyon that’s green all year-’round, Sedona is like nowhere else on th
    Tap into the energy of the Earth in beautiful Sedona! Locals call this a cathedral without walls, and it only takes one look to understand why. Surrounded by towering buttes and spires of bold red rock and bisected by a canyon that’s green all year-’round, Sedona is like nowhere else on the planet. Explore Sedona at your own pace with over 53 stories laid out on a 15-mile route.
  • Fully Guided Personal Tours
  • Professionally Narrated Stories
  • Tour Valid Forever
  • Works Offline
  • Fun Facts
  • Tour At Your Own Pace
  • Location Aware, Plays Automatically
  • Don’t Miss Any Sightseeing Points
  • No Groups. No Tips

  • Colorado River & Trail Expeditions Grand Canyon Rafting

    Colorado River & Trail Expeditions offers rowing, paddle, motor, kayak support, and hybrid all-inclusive rafting trips. We offer a variety of trip lengths and options. We specialize in taking our clients to the best spots in the Grand Canyon. We pride ourselves in having friendly experi
    Colorado River & Trail Expeditions offers rowing, paddle, motor, kayak support, and hybrid all-inclusive rafting trips. We offer a variety of trip lengths and options. We specialize in taking our clients to the best spots in the Grand Canyon. We pride ourselves in having friendly experienced guides, serving great food, and supplying our customers with the most modern equipment and gear. In addition we are a member of various environmental groups and do our best to take care of the Grand Canyon and our Earth. We are a family business celebrating 50 years in 2021!

    Grand Canyon Railway

    Visit the official website for Grand Canyon Railway. Book your reservation online for a train tour on one of five classes of service on our vintage train to the Grand Canyon. Or,select a vacation package that includes lodging at our own Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and in Grand Canyon Nation
    Visit the official website for Grand Canyon Railway. Book your reservation online for a train tour on one of five classes of service on our vintage train to the Grand Canyon. Or,select a vacation package that includes lodging at our own Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and in Grand Canyon National Park.

    Grand Canyon Expeditions

    The Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world, and what better way to see it than from its heart, on a Colorado river rafting trip? This unique trip down the Grand Canyon ranges from running world-class rapids to hiking and swimming in the side canyons to investigating the remains le
    The Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world, and what better way to see it than from its heart, on a Colorado river rafting trip? This unique trip down the Grand Canyon ranges from running world-class rapids to hiking and swimming in the side canyons to investigating the remains left by the first inhabitants of the Grand Canyon. Let our experienced guides show you the wonders of the Grand Canyon. This is not a tour of the Grand Canyon, it's an adventure!

    Advantage Grand Canyon

    As a central reservation service for all 16 Grand Canyon Rafting Outfitters, we can help you find your ideal adventure, at no additional cost! Our Trip Finder let's you browse all of the trips offered and compare them apples to apples! Not sure what questions to ask or where to start? No P
    As a central reservation service for all 16 Grand Canyon Rafting Outfitters, we can help you find your ideal adventure, at no additional cost! Our Trip Finder let's you browse all of the trips offered and compare them apples to apples! Not sure what questions to ask or where to start? No Problem! Contact us and our educated team will provide you with detailed information on river trips that fit within your travel preferences. Our goal is to create an enjoyable, free and unbiased experience for you while navigating the many options of traveling through one of America's most prized possessions. Take the Advantage!

    Canyoneers

    The ultimate getaway! Spectacular scenery, great side canyon hikes, ancient Indian ruins, splendid waterfalls, gourmet meals, and top notch guides. Come experience the adventure, the challenge, the serenity, the wildlife, the fun and exhilaration, and come away feeling on top of the world
    The ultimate getaway! Spectacular scenery, great side canyon hikes, ancient Indian ruins, splendid waterfalls, gourmet meals, and top notch guides. Come experience the adventure, the challenge, the serenity, the wildlife, the fun and exhilaration, and come away feeling on top of the world! Whether motorized pontoon or smaller rowing boats, Canyoneers does it best! This year, be a Canyoneer. We are a licensed concessionaire of the National Park Service.

    Pink Jeep Tours

    Enjoy first-class comfort with a passionate tour guide to the Grand Canyon's stunning West Rim. Travel by Tour Trekker and transform your trip into the experience of a lifetime, creating memories of the history, geology and more from expert guides.

    Bright Angel Trail Day Hike Tour

    Our Bright Angel Trail day hike offers a tour with many options for length and difficulty, and it has shade, water and bathrooms roughly every 1.5 miles up and down. On the longer side, we can hike to Plateau Point which is a wonderful option for the fittest and most adventurous of visitor
    Our Bright Angel Trail day hike offers a tour with many options for length and difficulty, and it has shade, water and bathrooms roughly every 1.5 miles up and down. On the longer side, we can hike to Plateau Point which is a wonderful option for the fittest and most adventurous of visitors. And on the shorter side, we can hike to one of the rest houses for a moderate, stunningly beautiful hike. So for families, couples, and solo travelers, of an adventure and fitness level, this hike has a lot to offer!

    Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas with Optional Upgrades

    Experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world from the land, air and water on this guided, full-day tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Travel through a Joshua Tree forest en route to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim for sightseeing how you wish. Upgrade to add a walk on the gla
    Experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world from the land, air and water on this guided, full-day tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Travel through a Joshua Tree forest en route to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim for sightseeing how you wish. Upgrade to add a walk on the glass-bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk and/or a thrilling helicopter flight into the canyon coupled with a pontoon boat ride on the Colorado River. A hot lunch at the Grand Canyon and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

    Grand Canyon Hike & Sightseeing Tour

    Enjoy a great tour with a knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic guide who loves what they do. We provide door-to-door service from your stay place with everything you need to have a great time. Grab your camera and leave the lunch, snacks, beverages, hiking equipment, and driving to us!

    Enjoy a great tour with a knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic guide who loves what they do. We provide door-to-door service from your stay place with everything you need to have a great time. Grab your camera and leave the lunch, snacks, beverages, hiking equipment, and driving to us! We pick up in the following towns: Flagstaff, Williams, Tusayan, and Grand Canyon.

    Currently, the Park Service is not allowing us to mix groups due to COVID-19 safety procedures, so we are unable to provide this tour for less than 4 people. If you have a smaller group, please reach out to our company directly to discuss other options. By far our most popular hiking tour, this hike and sightseeing tour offers guests varying views of the Canyon, from the inside out. This tour is for guests who want to enjoy an excellent tour of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, but also spend some time below the Rim.


    Small-Group Grand Canyon West Rim Day Trip from Las Vegas with Optional Skywalk

    Explore one of the seven wonders of the world—the Grand Canyon—on this day trip to the west rim from Las Vegas. With included transport to and from the Strip, you can easily plan this day trip into your Las Vegas getaway. Along the way, stop for photos at the Hoover Dam. Take in views of t
    Explore one of the seven wonders of the world—the Grand Canyon—on this day trip to the west rim from Las Vegas. With included transport to and from the Strip, you can easily plan this day trip into your Las Vegas getaway. Along the way, stop for photos at the Hoover Dam. Take in views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River at Guano Point and Eagle Point. Plus, for the more adventurous, choose to walk the edge of the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Skywalk for an added expense.

    South Kaibab Day Hike Tour

    Hike safely in a challenging environment without the risk of getting lost on this private guided hiking tour on the South Kaibab trail, Grand Canyon National Park. Learn about the geology, flora and fauna of the Grand Canyon from your guide while experiencing it up close. This private tour
    Hike safely in a challenging environment without the risk of getting lost on this private guided hiking tour on the South Kaibab trail, Grand Canyon National Park. Learn about the geology, flora and fauna of the Grand Canyon from your guide while experiencing it up close. This private tour can be customized to suit your needs, and you can expect to be outdoors for up to seven hours.

    Grand Canyon West Rim Bus or Private Tour

    Marvel at the incredible scenery of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim thanks to this 12-hour flexible sightseeing trip from Las Vegas. Take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour along the edge of the canyon, stopping at highlights like Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Cowboy Ranch. Optional trip upgra
    Marvel at the incredible scenery of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim thanks to this 12-hour flexible sightseeing trip from Las Vegas. Take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour along the edge of the canyon, stopping at highlights like Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Cowboy Ranch. Optional trip upgrades including a helicopter flight or access to the Skywalk viewing platform are also available.

    More TOURS IN Grand Canyon

    GRAND CANYON TOURS & ATTRACTIONS