Grand Canyon - visit south or west rim?

Walter Sobchak

Walter Sobchak

Walter Sobchak

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Who's done the helicopter/plane trip from Las Vegas?

Now from what I've been reading the Sky Walk at the west rim is a bit **** and it's the south rim that I should visit?

South Rim takes 5 hours drive from Vegas so don't really wanna do that. I think the only option from Vegas to see the south rim is via plane. Helicopter trips from Vegas only go to the west rim. Have also read that the plane trip to the south rim from veags is brutal, due to the thermals from the canyon.

Has anyone done the plane trip to the south rim from Vegas? Or both even west and south rim? Is the South rim vistit really that much better?
 
SOUTH, SOUTH, SOUTH.

DO NOT visit the West Rim. It's just a huge, massive, money sinking con.

I did the South Rim from Vegas with Vision Airlines. It was perfect - 40 minute flight, proper, decent views of the Canyon, great tour guide, back in time for the evening.

It was, however, the most frightening flight of my life.
 
We drove it in 4-5 hours with a stop on Hoover Dam worth it as it totally different in respect to attitude its a nice small place on the widest deepest bit, well worth the visit, we stayed two nights then back to LV.

The drive is easy
 
SOUTH!

I did a road trip down the west coast and we spent two days in the canyon. We spent the night in this tiny village/town called Tusayan and got in time for sunrise. Incredible. We walked the trail to Hermits rest and watched the sunset off the main trail. No one around, don't think words can do it justice. I know I'm hardly unique in having seen it but it's amazing, something that will stay with me forever. The next day we were driving on to Salt Lake and spent some time at the watch tower which was also impressive. If you have the time, go south.
 
Walter Sobchak said:
Thats what I thought!

Was it a really rough flight? were you sick?
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I wasn't sick, no.

maccapacca said:
We drove it in 4-5 hours with a stop on Hoover Dam worth it as it totally different in respect to attitude its a nice small place on the widest deepest bit, well worth the visit, we stayed two nights then back to LV.

The drive is easy
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The drive is easy but not if you wish to go out and back in one day.
 
As said has to be the South Rim

the west rim is actually aplace called the west canyon rebranded as the grand canyon west rim by tour companies, it's over 100 miles from the real canyon

do a search for grand canyon west rim and all you will see is stuff from tour companies


if you want a smoother flight go early in morning
 
South - it's just about doable as a day trip if you set off early (it's more like four hours each way - speed limits on he I-40 aren't well observed). I would, however, recommend staying the night before and after in Williams. Sunset crater is also worth a detour.
 
We have 14 nights in Vegas coming up and are opting for the early morning trip to South Rim so as to maximise Vegas-time! You are back by lunchtime apparently.

We looked at driving to South Rim, staying over at Bright Angel Lodge also, then going back to Vegas via the huge meteor crater. Takes two days out of the trip so we thought against it.
 
Youstolemyname said:
We have 14 nights in Vegas coming up and are opting for the early morning trip to South Rim so as to maximise Vegas-time! You are back by lunchtime apparently.

We looked at driving to South Rim, staying over at Bright Angel Lodge also, then going back to Vegas via the huge meteor crater. Takes two days out of the trip so we thought against it.
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When are due to go? I'd be interested in how the flight was.

I've been told it can be horrendous.
 
Been a few times, in terms of visiting the canyon by road and going on a hike, I much prefer the North rim as it's much quieter - south rim can be like a rock festival in the middle of summer and absolutely jam packed..
 
V-Spec said:
Been a few times, in terms of visiting the canyon by road and going on a hike, I much prefer the North rim as it's much quieter - south rim can be like a rock festival in the middle of summer and absolutely jam packed..
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wasn't remotely packed when I was there, North Rim is supposed to be good but hard to get to at times
 
Walter Sobchak said:
When are due to go? I'd be interested in how the flight was.

I've been told it can be horrendous.
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Was absolutely fine in September last year. Get an early morning one if possible, it's worth the early start just to not be there in the sun at midday :D

Took Rotty's recommendation (cheers mate :) ) and did this one:

www.grandcanyontourcompany.com

Wouldn't hesitate to do it again, well organized, great tour guide, comfy flight.
 
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