No matter if it’s your first time visiting the Grand Canyon or your trip to northern Arizona is akin to an annual pilgrimage, it’s difficult to beat the experience of exploring the many majestic landmarks of the Grand Canyon from the air. For those visitors hoping to maximize the amount of time they can spend basking in the area’s glorious scenery from above, Maverick Helicopters offers the Canyon Spirit Tour. This 45-minute helicopter tour is the longest of its kind; throughout its breathtaking route you’ll soar above many of Grand Canyon National Park’s most fabled sites in one of Maverick’s safe and luxurious helicopters.
Canyon Spirit Tour Details
Maverick Helicopters’ Canyon Spirit Tour operates out of Grand Canyon National Park Airport, usually departing around a half-dozen times each day of the week—there are often more flights during peak season, frequently less when it’s the off-season. An individual ticket typically costs about $400; however, morning flights on weekdays are sometimes available for $20 cheaper, and afternoon flights commonly cost as much as $420 per person.
The Canyon Spirit Tour is a 45-minute outing that provides participants with spectacular views of prominent landmarks like Kaibab National Forest, Desert View Watchtower, Point Imperial, Marble Canyon, Dragon Corridor, and the Painted Desert. You’ll even soar above the confluence of the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers—a lovely spot famous for the memorable way in which the blueish water of the Little Colorado mixes with the greenish water of the Colorado.
Canyon Spirit Tour Highlights
Kaibab National Forest: As soon as your Canyon Spirit Tour takes off, you’ll find yourself enjoying remarkable views of the sprawling Kaibab National Forest. Managed by the United States Forest Service, this 1.6-million-acre landscape is home to a wide range of fauna and flora.
Painted Desert: Famous for its striking red rock formations, the Painted Desert is a beautiful and colorful stretch of badlands that runs from the eastern edges of Grand Canyon National Park south to Petrified Forest National Park.
Desert View Watchtower: This landmark stone building has stood for nearly a century now along the South Rim, some 20 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. The handiwork of architect Mary Colter, Desert View Watchtower is approximately 70 feet tall; it’s home to a gift shop and observation deck.
Point Imperial: Standing almost 9,000 feet above sea level, Point Imperial is the highest point found anywhere along either rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s also the northernmost boundary of Grand Canyon National Park.
Marble Canyon: At river level, Marble Canyon is renowned as a popular whitewater rafting destination. From the air, you’ll be able to admire the multicolored layers of limestone and sandstone rock formations that form the steep sides of this scenic gorge.
Dragon Corridor: Dragon Corridor is considered the widest, deepest segment of the whole Grand Canyon, and your Canyon Spirit Tour will fly straight through its picturesque expanse.
Is the Canyon Spirit Tour for You?
If you’re looking to go on a comprehensive helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, then Maverick Helicopters’ Canyon Spirit Tour is a great choice. At 45 minutes, it’s almost twice as long as the Canyon Dancer Tour—in fact, Maverick Helicopters proudly describes the Canyon Spirit Tour as the longest flight route offered over the Grand Canyon. As a result, the Canyon Spirit Tour covers vast stretches of this magnificent attraction. You’ll see significant portions of the popular South Rim, naturally; you’ll even travel all the way to the northern boundary of Grand Canyon National Park, too. This amount of guided sightseeing comes with a price, of course, as the Canyon Spirit Tour is slightly more expensive than many other helicopter tours. Still, the tour is a very well-regarded experience and you see about twice as much Grand Canyon as any other tour. The vast majority of participants report back that they were quite satisfied with their excursion. If you are looking to save a little money while on this tour try the Maverick Canyon Dancer helicopter tour. Its a strait out and back to the North Rim.
