Helicopter Tours Over National Parks: The 15 Best Flights

1.ATV Tour of Lake Mead National Park with Optional Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $350Our pick

Start at 7:00 am for a guided three-hour ATV ride near Lake Mead, with hotel pickup from select Strip hotels, safety gear, lunch, and water. You’ll ride your own ATV, even as a first-timer. Add a 90-minute Grand Canyon helicopter flight with a champagne landing, subject to weight and seating rules.

“The ATV ride was fantastic. Our guide, Brett, was charismatic, knowledgable and incredibly patient with all members of our group and their varying skill levels. He took the time to make sure each rider was comfortable and prepared for the ride. One of the best parts of the entire experience was Brett sharing the history of Las Vegas with us and telling us about the different landmarks and their history. I would highly recommend the ATV experience as must do while in Vegas if you are wanting to get out of the city for a bit.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.55 Mile – Helicopter Tour Around Zion National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $299

Take a 30-minute helicopter flight from Virgin around Zion National Park, Kolob Canyon, Smith Mesa, and Canaan Mountain Wilderness. Your pilot points out the red-rock geology, 2,000-foot cliffs, and park history from the air. Flights carry up to six people, with several departure times available.

“The pilot was great, the view and route was incredible! We’ve been on a few tours and no questions this one is the best! Definitely would recommend this company.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Denali National Park: Helicopter Flight with Glacier Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 2h 15m · from $609

Meet TEMSCO Helicopters for a 135-minute Denali flight with about 50 minutes in the air and 20 minutes on Yanert Glacier. Your English-speaking pilot points out tundra, peaks, glaciers, and possible wildlife. The group is limited to six, with over-boots supplied, but you must bring warm clothes, gloves, and a hat.

“Amazing!! Don't miss this! Beautiful views and amazing glacier walk”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Zion National Park: 10- or 20-Minute Scenic Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 10 - 20 minutes · from $125Best value

Choose a 10 or 20-minute helicopter flight over Zion’s southwest side with an English-speaking pilot. You’ll see the Virgin River valley, West Temple, and Crater Hill Volcano from above, with a small group of up to six people. Pilot Kevin has received especially warm praise for his clear, informative guiding.

“Zeer leuk en heel veilig vooral. Als ik kon boekte ik een langere vlucht. Heel professioneel en super…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.35 Mile – Zion National Park Panoramic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 20 minutes (approx.) · from $199

Fly 35 miles along Zion National Park’s edge from a private heliport near Springdale. Your pilot points out Red Butte, Kolob Canyons, Smith Mesa, and the geology behind Zion’s dark red rock. The flight lasts about 20 minutes, carries up to six people, and offers an intimate view without hiking.

“Our pilot was professional and really described the geology well throughout the flight. This made an amazing experience even better.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.100 Mile Zion National Park Panoramic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $499

Fly a 100-mile loop around Zion National Park from Virgin, Utah, in a helicopter carrying no more than six people. See Kolob Canyons and the Red Butte range from the park’s perimeter, with pilot commentary. Upgrade for a butte landing, short hike, picnic, or champagne.

“The views and the shear ability of the maneuverability of the helicopter were spectacular. It was also very cool to see a frozen lake on top of a mountain.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Zion National Park and Canaan Cliffs: Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 22 reviews · 30 min · from $299

Fly 55 miles over West Zion, Kolob Canyons, Smith Mesa, Red Butte Mountain, and Canaan Mountain Wilderness. Your English-speaking pilot provides geology and park history during this small-group flight for up to six people. Arrive 30 minutes early, bring ID and a camera, and plan ahead if motion affects you.

“Kyle is an amazing tour guide, he was very knowledgeable and entertaining as well. The staff was also very friendly, helpful, and welcoming. We had accidentally booked wrong and they helped us correct our mistake in such a great way that put us at ease. P.S. Make sure to take some type of anti-nausea or motion sickness medicine if you get a little queasy, there’s some pretty strong winds so it’ll help you out tremendously.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Phoenix: Grand Canyon National Park Tour & Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 13 hours · from $599

Travel from Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tempe in a small group of up to 13 with a guide such as Nathan, Jason, or Robert. You will visit South Rim viewpoints and fly by helicopter over Marble Canyon, Imperial Point, the Dragon Corridor, the North Rim, and the Little Colorado River.

“Robert was an excellent tour guide! He taught us many interesting things along the drive. Jeff was our helicopter pilot and also was excellent. This part of the tour was absolutely amazing and we are so glad we decided to do this. Breathtaking to see the canyon this way!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Bryce Canyon National Park: 15 Minute Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 9 reviews · 15 min · from $165

Fly over Bryce Canyon from Bryce Canyon Airport in a helicopter carrying up to six people. Your English-speaking pilot points out Boat Mesa, Sinking Ship, and Fairyland while explaining the park’s geology and history. The 15-minute flight is a fast, scenic choice, though it does not fly directly into the canyon.

“Purtroppo l'attività è stata annullata per non aver raggiunto il numero minimo di partecipanti”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Denali National Park: Helicopter and Hike Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 5 hours · from $528

Take a helicopter from TEMSCO’s riverside heliport to a remote hiking area just beyond Denali National Park. Your English-speaking guide leads a gentle, tailor-made trek above the tree line, explaining local plants and wildlife before you fly back. Groups are limited to 10, and hotel pickup is available.

“Great trip recommend to anyone, very knowledgeable and personal guide..”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Ultimate Small Plane Aerial Tour to See Badlands National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 1 hour 5 minutes (approx.)

Fly from Wall Municipal Airport with Ana of Fly Badlands for about 65 minutes above Badlands National Park. Expect wide views of ridges, valleys, Yellow Mounds, Sage Creek Wilderness, and more, plus a souvenir Polaroid, noise-dampening headset, ground and air photos, and a free branded T-shirt.

“Happened upon fly Badlands by accident, but so glad we did. IN about 15 minutes the owner went and got her keys , we signed paperwork and were off into the air. My wife and i had a great time and enjoyed the Hospitality of Ana as well as her knowledge of the area. Her friend Betty (1961 Cessna) gave us a great tour and it was great 60 minutes we spent on our cross country adventure.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Heli-Picnic Alpine Lake Kahurangi National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

You’ll fly from Nelson Airport with a pilot such as Tom or Theo over Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks. After about 50 to 60 minutes in the air, your helicopter lands beside a remote alpine lake. Enjoy the scenery, take an easy walk to a waterfall, and return to Nelson with your group.

“Best part of our honeymoon. Theo and the team were all incredible. Worked with us every step of the way to cater the experience and overcome weather conditions to adjust and come up with acceptable alternatives to ensure everyone’s Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Zion National Park, Canaan Cliffs: Extended Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 55 min · from $499

Fly 100 miles over Zion National Park and Canaan Mountain Wilderness in a small helicopter group of up to six. Your English-speaking pilot shares geology and local history as you pass Kolob Canyons and Red Butte Mountain Range. You can also choose an optional 30-minute butte landing.

“Phenomenal experience. I chose Zion Helicopters for my husband’s 65th birthday and we had the most incredible time. Our pilot Jordan played a killer playlist over our headsets, and told us all about the history and geology as we flew. The weather was perfect, the afternoon light was gorgeous, and the butte landing was the thrill of a lifetime. Jordan took lots of photos for us too. One hundred stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Abel Tasman National Park: Helicopter Flight with landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2h 30m

Take a private 150-minute helicopter flight from Nelson Airport over Abel Tasman National Park. Your pilot uses two-way headsets to point out golden beaches and turquoise water, then lands at remote Awaroa Bay. You can walk, swim, picnic, or visit Awaroa Lodge, which closes from late April to early October.

“Wonderful activity, great pilot & host. Magic part of the world to fly over & picnic at. Snack box just what we needed. Brilliant experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Bryce Canyon National Park 15-Minute Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $165

Take a small-group helicopter flight over Bryce Canyon National Park from Bryce Canyon City. In about 15 minutes of air time, you’ll see the park’s red rock spires, northern rim, Paunsaugunt Plateau, and Boat Mesa from a rare overhead angle. The full visit lasts about 45 minutes, with flights limited to six passengers.

“It was a great experience, my son is a helicopter pilot for the Navy. I have never been able to go up in the helicopter with him. It was a beautiful day and we got to see a lot.”

Check availability →Read our full review