On The Fly With Maverick Helicopters

It’s sure to happen. You’ll fall in love with the Grand Canyon during your air tour with us and want to go back for more! And there are so many things to see and do that you can easily make a whole vacation out of visiting this awe-inspiring natural wonder.

At the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, you can stay overnight in a cabin at the Hualapai Ranch and enjoy the feel of cowboy hospitality, while learning about Native American culture. Horseback rides are offered, as well as Hummer off-road adventure tours. You can board a pontoon boat and enjoy a smooth ride on the Colorado River. There’s even a hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus that will transport you to the area’s most popular viewpoints and stops—such as Guano Point and Eagle Point, where the famed Skywalk is located. And, of course, don’t forget that you can always take another helicopter flight or a one-day whitewater rafting trip with us! For more information on planning your Grand Canyon West excursion, visit http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/.

At the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, you’ll have many choices for accommodations. “In-park” lodging, which is located within walking distance of the rim, includes the El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins, Kachina Lodge, Yavapai Lodge, Maswik Lodge and the Thunderbird Lodge. If you’re fit and dream of hiking to the canyon floor, you can make arrangements to camp there or stay in the legendary Phantom Ranch—just be aware that it’s hard to get reservations, and you’ll likely have to book as much as 13 months in advance. You’ll also find lodging in Grand Canyon Village, a small town with a population under 2,000 that dates back to 1901. There are many historic buildings and landmarks located in its boundaries. Otherwise, the nearby towns of Williams and Tusayan offer a wealth of hotels and motels that will fit any taste or budget.

The hardest part of visiting the South Rim will be narrowing down what you want to do. There are just so many interesting options! The inner canyon, which includes everything below the rim, offers endless opportunities for hiking and backpacking. Those who are more adventurous might want to ride a mule to the canyon floor, or take a rafting trip on the Colorado River, which can last anywhere from a few days to three weeks. A more easygoing option is journeying to the national park from Williams aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. The restored locomotive and passenger cars carry more than 230,000 people there each year. If you want to expand your mind, you might consider participating in a Grand Canyon Field Institute Learning Adventure. These are guided educational tours led by expert instructors. They cover topics such as geology, history, archaeology and photography and are often combined with activities that include backpacking, camping, hiking and whitewater rafting. You’ll also find a variety of interpretive ranger programs offered at the Canyon View Information Plaza, the Yavapai Observation Station, Verkamp’s Visitor Center, Phantom Ranch, the Indian Garden Campground and various trailheads and lodges. All of these are free of charge. Plus, if you desire another 25- or 45-minute helicopter tour, our Maverick Helicopters South Rim terminal is conveniently located at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. For a helpful tool in planning your visit, go to http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/index.htm.