Grand Canyon: Day Trips and Tours from Las Vegas

Some places simply need no introduction, and the Grand Canyon is certainly one of those. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, its vast crevices cover over 1 million acres, although when you're there, they seem to never end.

On a Grand Canyon day tour from Las Vegas, you can have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of walking along the Grand Canyon's ever-changing landscape as the sunlight illuminates it from different angles throughout the day.

You can admire this stellar view from the much trodden South Kaibab Trail or stroll across the Grand Canyon Skywalk situated 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. Explore thousands of exotic archeological sites where the Indian tribes journeyed eons back in 1200 BCE, and snap shots of rare wildlife basking in the sun or perched in a tree.

Check out our complete guide on visiting the Grand Canyon, certainly the most awe-inspiring day trip from Las Vegas.

How can you get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?

From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car

The closest section of the Grand Canyon is the West Rim, which takes a little over 2 hours by car. However, the most popular and impressive section is the South Rim, which takes a little over four hours, not including the worthwhile stops by Hoover Dam and Boulder City if you wish to take detours.

From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by helicopter

While it costs more money, taking a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular means of travel. It’s also very quick. Instead of a 4-hour ride in a car or bus, you'll arrive in a speedy 45 minutes.

From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by airplane

Another fast way to reach the Grand Canyon from Vegas is by airplane. This will get you to the West Rim in only 35 minutes, where you can do the Skywalk or even take a helicopter to the floor of the Grand Canyon.

Guided tour to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas

A Grand Canyon day trip from Las Vegas by bus or private vehicle takes you to the natural wonder without having to worry about navigating the roads, so you can enjoy the scenery instead.

How long does it take to get from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon?

It takes a little over four hours to reach the Grand Canyon's South Rim by car or bus from the Las Vegas Strip. You travel south through Henderson before passing through turn-offs to Hoover Dam/Lake Mead. Boulder City is also on the way.

Highway 93 proceeds to take you south toward you merge with I-40 east. Once you reach a turn off north at Williams, the drive from there takes you to the South Rim of the canyon.

The only way to reach the north rim from Las Vegas is by leaving the city on I-15 east. Shortly after St. George, Utah, you take a diversion toward Colorado City. After passing Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, you’ll take a remote highway to the north rim.

The north rim is far easier to access by helicopter or airplane. Flights from Las Vegas reach the Grand Canyon eliminate hours spent on the road. It’s also a once in a lifetime experience seeing the Grand Canyon from the sky.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Grand Canyon cost?

If you're traveling with a private vehicle, you need to pay US$35 for a 7-day visitor's pass. However, if you take a guided tour to the Grand Canyon, this fee is included with the cost of the tour.

Is it possible to visit the Grand Canyon for free?

Yes, there are quite a few holidays throughout the year where the Grand Canyon entrance fee is waived. The upcoming entry fee free days for 2023 are:

• Monday, January 16 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Saturday, April 22 — First Day of National Park Week
• Friday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 23 — National Public Lands Day
• Saturday, November 11 — Veterans Day

What are the most popular Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas?

There are several types of tours available for a Grand Canyon day trip from Las Vegas:

Bus Tours

Bus tours are probably the most famous way to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. Grand Canyon bus tours start around US$100. Additional stops at important destinations like the Hoover Dam and Boulder City make the day trip more like US$150. Visit all the important stops inside the national park.

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter tours are the best way to see the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. You arrive at the national park sooner and get to see all the wonders from above in the sky. Helicopter tours range between US$300 to US$600 depending on the package and what is all included. Airplane tours are also worth considering starting at US$200.

Hummer Tours

Hummer tours combine the land access of a bus tour along with more rugged and remote access of the canyon. It makes for a more exclusive experience in small groups with family and friends. Hummer tours from Las Vegas average US$150.

Combined Tours

Another excellent incentive is to combine your Grand Canyon day trip from Las Vegas with other offers in the area. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Hoover Dam, or explore deeper and see the Antelope Canyon or Zion National Park.

When is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon receives five million visitors a year, making it the third most popular national park in the United States and one of its most popular attractions overall. Consequently, it is impossible to avoid crowds completely.

However, since the national park is spread out, there are opportunities to get away from people. The best time of the year to visit is March through May and September through November. Temperatures are far cooler compared to the heat of the summer with fewer people off from school or work.

Grand Canyon National Park receives its highest concentration of people between late-May and mid-August.

What are the best things to do at the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest marvels in the world. The natural wonder exists less than a few hours from Las Vegas, making it a worthwhile day trip from The Strip.

The drive wanders through other famous landmarks in the area like Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, as well as Boulder City. Upon arrival, you’ll get treated to sights that will leave your jaw dropping to the floors of the canyon over a mile below.

There are plenty of pull-offs to grab your attention of the steep-sided canyon, which stretches nearly 280 miles and has portions of the canyon that are nearly 20 miles wide. The Colorado River carves out the canyon with activities to do both on the canyon rim as well as near the body of water.

The most famous things to do at the Grand Canyon are hiking, admiring the view from the Skywalk, going on a helicopter tour, rafting on the Colorado river, skydiving for the adrenaline seekers, and camping for those who want to stay overnight in the Grand Canyon.

The national park attracts five million visitors a year and the most popular activity is sightseeing on the South Rim. The river floor is accessible but not on day trips because of time and elevated dangers.

Most travelers schedule helicopter or bus tours to reach Grand Canyon as it is located in a remote part of Arizona. Las Vegas is the nearest city to the Grand Canyon, aside from Phoenix.

Are there any other places to visit on the way from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon?

Scheduling a day tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon is an outstanding way to see multiple landmarks such as the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Boulder City.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area contains the largest human-made reservoir in the country based on water capacity. The body of water was created after the iconic Hoover Dam was completed in 1935.

Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is one of the finest engineering achievements in the world, especially considering when it was built. The Hoover Dam not only created Lake Mead but also supplies most of the electricity to Las Vegas through hydroelectric power.

Boulder City

Boulder City is a popular tourist stop in Nevada. The city exists about 25 miles outside of Las Vegas. The historic town was created overnight to provide a place of residence for the thousands of workers at Hoover Dam. Its downtown is a popular place to dine and shop.

Travel Tips

• If you are not on a tight budget, consider booking a helicopter tour. It is the fastest way to reach the Grand Canyon from Vegas, making it the most suitable for a day trip. Helicopter tours also provide unprecedented views of the canyon.
• Avoid peak travel season. Grand Canyon National Park gets extraordinarily busy during peak season between late-May and mid-August. If possible, avoid this time of year.
• Prepare for the weather. A Grand Canyon day trip from Las Vegas takes the entire day. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks. The Grand Canyon gets hot in the middle of the summer. Make sure you bring appropriate clothing, footwear, and face protection.
• Don’t forget your camera. There are numerous opportunities for photographs that you’ll want to share with family and friends.