United States Arizona Best Grand Canyon Tours From scenic flights to camping trips, here are the best Grand Canyon tours By Stefanie Waldek Stefanie Waldek Instagram Twitter Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. She covers various destinations, hotels, and travel products for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/13/22 Fact checked by Sean Blackburn Fact checked by Sean Blackburn LinkedIn Sean is a fact checker and researcher with experience in sociology and field research. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Whether you see it from your own two feet, through a vehicle window, or from the skies in a helicopter, the Grand Canyon is a spectacle that everyone should witness at least once in their life. For a deeper look into the canyon, book a guided tour, where experts not only ensure your safety but enrich your visit with their knowledge of the site. There are many ways to tour the Grand Canyon; you'll want to assess your physical condition, budget, and starting location before you make a booking. Hiking or backpacking is, of course, far more physically demanding than a helicopter ride. And a private tour will be more expensive than a large group tour. Some tours start as far away as Las Vegas, while others meet within the boundaries of the national park. To help you plan your trip to this American landmark, here are seven of the best Grand Canyon tours. Best Grand Canyon Tours of 2023 Best Overall: Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris – Grand Sunset Tour Best from Sedona/Flagstaff: Redstone Tours – Grand Canyon Explorer Tour Best from Las Vegas: Grand Canyon Destinations – Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour Best Day Hike: All-Star Grand Canyon Tours – Grand Canyon Day Hike Best Backpacking Tour: Wildland Trekking – Autumn Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon Best Helicopter Tour: Maverick Helicopters – Canyon Spirit Best Train Tour: Grand Canyon Railway – Grand Canyon Railway Adventure Package Best Grand Canyon Tours View All Best Grand Canyon Tours Our Top Picks Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris – Grand Sunset Tour Redstone Tours – Grand Canyon Explorer Tour Grand Canyon Destinations – Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour All-Star Grand Canyon Tours – Grand Canyon Day Hike Wildland Trekking – Autumn Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon Maverick Helicopters – Canyon Spirit Grand Canyon Railway – Grand Canyon Railway Adventure Package See More (4) Final Verdict Methodology Best Overall : Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris – Grand Sunset Tour See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This is a time-conscious small-group tour that hits the highlights of the South Rim. Pros and Cons Pros Doesn’t require a full-day commitment Bypasses the entrance line via back roads Affordable Cons No meals or snacks included Tour Overview For visitors who only can or want to dedicate a few hours to the Grand Canyon rather than a full day or even multiple days, this tour in open-sided safari-style vehicles hits the highlights in only three hours. Tours are limited to just 12 guests, so you'll never feel cramped, and there's even a chance you might end up with a private experience (the minimum number of guests for the tour to run is two). The trip starts with a pickup in Tusayan before heading into the national park via back roads, avoiding the long lines at the entrance gate. It stops at three viewing locations; the last stop, at Grandview Point, is timed for spectacular sunset views. Best from Sedona/Flagstaff : Redstone Tours – Grand Canyon Explorer Tour Getty Images See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Operating out of Sedona and Flagstaff, this small-group tour hits many Grand Canyon highlights, plus some bonus stops outside the national park. Pros and Cons Pros Includes lunch and park admission Pickup from Sedona or Flagstaff hotels Stops at Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki national monuments Cons Long day (10+ hours) At maximum capacity, the van can feel crowded Tour Overview If you don't have a rental car or you simply don’t want to be hassled by the long drive from Flagstaff or Sedona, you can leave all the logistics to someone else when you book this small-group tour. With a maximum of 14 guests, it provides a pretty intimate experience, allowing you plenty of time to ask your guide questions. We love that the tour doesn’t just stop at the Grand Canyon; guests visit Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument, too. We also appreciate that lunch is included. Best from Las Vegas : Grand Canyon Destinations – Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour UNITED STATES - 2015/08/07: View of the Grand Canyon from the Yavapai Point area on the South Rim with clearing clouds after a thunderstorm in the Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, USA. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images) See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This is a budget-friendly option to which you can add some splurge-worthy upgrades, like a helicopter ride. Pros and Cons Pros Lunch and park admission included Bus has air-conditioning and a bathroom Can break off from the group once inside the national park Cons Pickup limited to certain Las Vegas hotels Large group, up to 77 guests Tour Overview It's about a three-hour drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, but when you book this budget-friendly tour, you get to make that journey in an air-conditioned bus with an entertaining guide leading the charge. You'll also get to make a quick photo stop at the Hoover Dam. Once you're at the Grand Canyon, the tour becomes a fully DIY adventure. You can choose to upgrade your experience with things like a helicopter ride, zip-lining, and a journey over the glass-bottom Skywalk, or you can opt for free hikes to scenic overlooks. Best Day Hike : All-Star Grand Canyon Tours – Grand Canyon Day Hike Michele Falzone/Getty Images See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Hiking at the Grand Canyon shouldn’t be taken lightly. This tour provides an expert guide, gear, and a picnic lunch. Pros and Cons Pros Private tour Hotel pickups from Flagstaff, Williams, Tusayan, or Grand Canyon Village Hike tailored to the group’s skill levels Cons Expensive Tour Overview While most visitors simply take in the view of the Grand Canyon from its rim, more adventurous types will descend part way down its walls — or even all the way to its floor. Trails are steep, of course, so if you’re keen to make the trek, we recommend booking a guided tour like this private one for some extra safety, not to mention expert narration on the canyon’s human and natural history. This tour stands out for its ability to tailor the hike to the participants’ skill level. We also love that this is an all-inclusive tour, from lunch and snacks to gear like hiking poles and microspikes if the trail is icy. Best Backpacking Tour : Wildland Trekking – Autumn Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon Wolfgang Kaehler / Contributor/Getty Images See Rates on Wildlandtrekking.com Why We Chose It This tour allows you to travel from rim to rim over four days during the cooler months of autumn. Pros and Cons Pros Includes meals, camping gear, and transportation from Flagstaff Guide prepares your meals Can accommodate dietary restrictions Cons Difficult to secure backpacking permits Very expensive Tour Overview For the ultimate Grand Canyon backcountry experience, book this rim-to-rim guided tour, which follows 24 miles of trails down the walls of the canyon, past waterfalls, and along the Colorado River. Though the journey is pretty intense, you'll be provided with all the gear you'll need, including tents and sleeping bags, and your guide will double as chef throughout the trek. Though this tour is offered year-round, we’ve selected the autumn tour, as weather conditions are milder than in summer or winter. Still, heat waves and snowstorms can always sneak up on you, so you'll want to be prepared for anything. Best Helicopter Tour : Maverick Helicopters – Canyon Spirit Peter Barritt / robertharding / Getty Images See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This is the longest helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon available, allowing you to see as much as possible. Pros and Cons Pros Dramatic views over the Kaibab National Forest Departs from Grand Canyon National Park Airport Free rebooking or full refund in the event of bad weather Cons No hotel transfers Canceled if minimum guest count isn’t met Tour Overview A helicopter ride is exhilarating in itself. But a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon? That's on a whole other level. This tour provides you with the most air time of any Grand Canyon helicopter tour — 45 minutes — allowing you to travel across both the North and South rims and see sights like the Desert View Watchtower, Nankoweap Mesa, Dragon Head, and the Tower of Ra. Flights depart from Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, but hotel transfers are not included. The departure location, however, is prime for guests who’d like to pair their helicopter journey with a hiking or driving tour. Best Train Tour : Grand Canyon Railway – Grand Canyon Railway Adventure Package Getty Images Buy on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This is a historic, family-friendly way to get to the Grand Canyon from Williams. Pros and Cons Pros Transportation in historic train cars Onboard musical performances Can split the journey up to include an overnight stay Cons Guided tours at the Grand Canyon aren’t included Most of the day isn’t spent at the Grand Canyon itself Tour Overview Guests have been taking the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the town of Grand Canyon Village since 1901. Today, there are six classes on the train, which range from more budget-friendly options to a swanky Luxury Parlor car with complimentary snacks and a sparkling wine toast. Musicians will roam up and down the train to provide onboard entertainment, though looking at the scenery outside might be entertainment enough. Once you get to the Grand Canyon, you're free to spend a few hours however you see fit. We recommend booking a guided tour, which can be added to your train journey. Final Verdict No matter how you want to experience the Grand Canyon — or what your budget is for doing so — there's a tour out there for you. We love Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris’ Grand Sunset Tour for its intimate size and midrange price point. It's particularly well suited for guests with limited time. For an even more immersive experience, we recommend a hiking or backpacking tour. All-Star Grand Canyon Tours’ Grand Canyon Day Hike is an approachable physical experience, while Wildland Trekking’s Autumn Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon is a fairly demanding multiday adventure. And if you're traveling in from Vegas, you can pick Grand Canyon Destinations’ Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour to hit some of the major highlights. Methodology We combed through dozens of tour operators to determine the best Grand Canyon tours. We evaluated factors like price, group size, mode of transportation, and destination to bring you a broad range of options. We also read through guest reviews of each tour to ensure the tour operators deliver on their promises. Theo Allofs / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit