When Should I Take a Helicopter Tour of the Grand Canyon?

There are plenty of options when booking your helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, as it is open year round and flights typically run from dusk until dawn. Summer months are probably your best bet for comfortable weather, but the Grand Canyon is typically dry and desert-like, so winter months aren’t necessarily bad. It’s always good to double check the forecast a few days in advance of your tour to make sure no heavy storms are coming through the area.

Dusk to Noon

Morning flights are probably the best to take for a few reasons — smoothness, visibility, and wildlife. At around 11 a.m., hot air begins to rise around the canyon and can cause occasional turbulence. Also, during the hot summer months, thunderstorms can quickly develop in the late-afternoon heat — something worth avoiding.

Dust and smoke are often in the air above the Grand Canyon. Smoke from summer wildfires and dust from the prairie winds. The combination of the two can affect the clarity of your visibility, taking away from the majestic beauty the site has to offer. A morning flight will increase your chances of avoiding the haze.

Common in nature, wildlife is most active at dusk and dawn. Your chances of spotting animals in their natural habitat will increase greatly with an early morning flight, as many are on the move and feeding.

Keep in mind that morning flights are in the highest demand and should be booked in advance.

Grand Canyon at dusk

Sunset

If you’d prefer a later flight, sunset is probably the next best option. The afternoon haze has a way of accentuating the sun’s rays on the canyon’s walls and cliffs, creating an awfully beautiful affect. Plus, on a clear day, it’s hard to go wrong with seeing the sun set behind just a majestic landscape. Just be aware of some of the pitfalls that can arise on an afternoon flight!