Closest Airport To Grand Canyon
If you're planning to visit the Grand Canyon, skip the cross-country road trip and save time by flying to one of several nearby airports, including Phoenix AZ, Flagstaff AZ, and Las Vegas. In fact, if you're flying into Las Vegas or are planning a Las Vegas vacation, you can enjoy a day trip to the Grand Canyon from the air terminal located just off the Strip or in nearby Boulder City, NV.
Read on to find details on all the major airports that offer service for tourists planning to visit the Grand Canyon, as well as the airport located right next to the national park itself!
Airports Near the Grand Canyon
Commercial airports including Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) are all a short driving distance away from both the Grand Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon North Rim, and the Grand Canyon West.
Other smaller airports also serve the immediate region and can get you to the Grand Canyon quicker than these major commercial airline hubs.
Best Flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
Harry Reid International Airport may not offer flights to the Grand Canyon, but Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters operates two local air terminals that offer daily departures to both the Grand Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon West, with options to bundle your flight with other exciting outdoor activities.
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon National Park, also known as the South Rim, is approximately 280 miles away from the Las Vegas Strip (or about a 4-hour 20-minute drive). Instead, you can fly from the nearby Boulder City air terminal and reach the South Rim in just 2 hours and 20 minutes aboard a sightseeing airplane. Along the way, you’ll see aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the wild desert landscape.
Flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park feature the option to include either a helicopter tour over the South Rim or a ground excursion aboard a military-style Hummer.
Grand Canyon West
Because the Grand Canyon West is the nearest region of the park to Las Vegas, it can actually be reached via helicopter. Helicopter tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West depart daily from both the Las Vegas Strip air terminal and the Boulder City air terminal.
Visitors also have the option to fly to the Grand Canyon West aboard a sightseeing airplane, featuring headset music and narration to describe the landscape and scenery beneath you.
Grand Canyon West tours from Las Vegas have many package options including a helicopter landing on the canyon floor and the All Access Pass to enjoy all of the activities on the surface, like the world-famous Skywalk.
Is There an Airport at the Grand Canyon National Park?
Grand Canyon Airport (GCN) is the closest airport to Grand Canyon National Park. It is located in Tusayan, Arizona, the resort town located only two miles from the South Rim entrance. It is the busiest tourist site in Arizona and the only state-owned airport.
The Grand Canyon Airport was originally built in 1925 and later upgraded in the 1960s. The current airport terminal was completed and opened for service in 1967. The single runway is 9,000 feet long and can support a wide variety of aircraft types, including fixed-wing aircraft, sightseeing airplane tours, and helicopter tours departing daily over the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Airport, Tusayan Arizona Address:
871 Liberator Drive
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
(928) 638-2446
GCN airport does not offer any commercial flights from major US airlines. However, it is the arrival point for flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim, giving visitors immediate access to the majestic beauty of the South Rim.
By flying directly to Tusayan, Arizona instead of making the drive, you save hours of time that can be used to see multiple points of the Grand Canyon. Flights to the South Rim also offer your choice of a Grand Canyon helicopter tour or a ground tour aboard a modified military-style Hummer.
Benefits of Flying Directly to Grand Canyon Airport, AZ
If you fly direct to GCN airport:
- You are minutes from the National Park entrance
- You’ll enjoy a scenic sightseeing flight en-route
- You’ll have more time to spend at your destination
- You can bundle your flight with a number of other Grand Canyon National Park tours.
Is There an Airport at the Grand Canyon West?
The Grand Canyon West Airport (GCW) is located 60 miles from Peach Springs, AZ. Owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe, this public airport receives daily arrivals from Las Vegas and Boulder City and also offers departures for air tours over the canyon landscape.
This small terminal offers a gift shop, restrooms, and is where visitors to the Grand Canyon West can purchase the All Access Pass (the only way to enter the park).
The single runway at the Grand Canyon West terminal is 5,000 feet long and receives daily arrivals from Las Vegas, both airplane flights and helicopter tours. The West Rim is also the only region of the park where helicopters can land on the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Independent visitors to the West Rim can also experience a helicopter landing upon arrival.
Grand Canyon West Air Terminal Address:
Grand Canyon West Airport
5001 Diamond Bar Road
Peach Springs, AZ 86434
Because the Grand Canyon West is the nearest region of the park from Las Vegas, it’s the perfect option to see the Grand Canyon even if you just have a few hours’ time in your Las Vegas vacation.
Benefits of Flying Directly to Grand Canyon West Airport
If you fly direct to GCW airport:
- You can reach the park via helicopter instead of airplane
- You’ll enjoy a scenic sightseeing flight en-route
- You'll land minutes from the park entrance
- You’ll have more time to spend at your destination
- Many flights include an All Access Pass to enjoy all activities throughout the park as well as complimentary shuttle transportation
Best Airports for a Grand Canyon Road Trip
Closest Major Airport to Grand Canyon South Rim
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the largest commercial airport in proximity to the South Rim.
Many Grand Canyon visitors choose to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport because of its convenience and efficiency as well as its distance from the Grand Canyon National Park (approximately 231 miles or a 3.5-hour drive).
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Information:
- Closest large commercial airport to the Grand Canyon National Park
- Offers the widest selection of times and prices for your trip
- Offer tons of international and domestic flight options
- Ample and affordable car rental options
Closest Airport to Grand Canyon West Rim
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the best choice if you are looking to fly into a commercial airport and drive to the Grand Canyon West. The drive from the Las Vegas airport to the Grand Canyon West is approximately 2 hours or about 123 miles.
Harry Reid International Airport Information:
- Closest large commercial airport to Grand Canyon West and North RIm
- Offers the widest selection of times and prices for your trip
- Offer tons of international and domestic flight options
- Chance to spend time in the ‘entertainment capital of America’
- Ample and affordable car rental options
Closest Airport To Grand Canyon North Rim
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is ideal for visitors who want to experience raw beauty and solitude. This secluded rim contains a variety of hiking trails, unique canyon viewpoints, and lush forestry. Located at more than 8,000 foot elevation, the North Rim is closed to the public in winter due to intense snowfall.
The Las Vegas airport is also the best airport to fly to if you want to journey to the North Rim. From LAS airport, it is a 275 mile drive to the North Rim entrance.
Skip the Drive and Fly to the Grand Canyon with Papillon
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters is the world's largest and longest-operating air tour company. We offer daily departures from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon West from our state-of-the-art air terminals located both near the Strip and in nearby Boulder City, Nevada. Guests visiting the Grand Canyon independently can also experience the sights from the sky aboard our airplane and helicopters that depart from both the South Rim airport and the West Rim air terminal.
