Why Nature Vacations Create the Strongest Memories
Starting to plan your 2026 vacation? Skip the chaos and expense of resorts, theme parks, and big cities and instead create lifelong memories at some of the most incredible nature in the United States. National parks offer far more than just sightseeing and hiking; in fact, you can enjoy a variety of exciting activities and tours to enhance your experience amongst the stunning nature.
National Parks Are More Accessible Than You Think
One of the main reasons that travelers say they haven’t checked a national park off their bucket list is because they believe it is difficult to reach or too far away. This is absolutely not the case if you plan to visit Las Vegas. There are several stunning national parks and natural landmarks that are within driving distance from the Strip. Additionally, daily airplane and helicopter departures can transport you there even faster!
How Affordable Are National Park Experiences?
A national park trip can be incredibly affordable compared to trips to theme parks or resorts. While several parks charge entry fees, there are typically discounts for military members and veterans, seniors, and several days throughout the year where entry is free. Some natural landmarks charge visitors nothing at all. National parks also offer plenty of free activities like hiking trails, scenic drives, wildlife and birdwatching, ranger programs, and more.
Closest Outdoor Destinations to Las Vegas
If you’re looking to escape the crowds wandering the Strip and connect with nature, there are many nearby destinations that are perfect for a day trip from Las Vegas:
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon National Park, also known as the South Rim, is approximately 277 miles from Las Vegas – or a 4.5-hour drive. Cut down on your travel time and instead fly to the South Rim aboard a sightseeing airplane tour! You’ll also have the opportunity to bundle your flight with a Grand Canyon helicopter tour or a ground excursion to various lookout points.
Grand Canyon West
Independent from the Grand Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon West offers an entirely different sightseeing experience. This region of the canyon is property of the Hualapai Tribe and is also home to the world-famous Skywalk, a glass-bottomed bridge that extends past the canyon’s edge. Instead of driving two hours to reach the Grand Canyon West, you can depart from Las Vegas in a helicopter tour and arrive in just over an hour. Best of all, you can even experience a helicopter landing on the canyon floor and a boat ride on the Colorado River!
Antelope Canyon
Also near to Las Vegas is the world-famous Antelope Canyon, located on Navajo territory in Page, Arizona. Join one of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters’ daily flights to Page and enjoy a guided tour into the depths of this otherworldly slot canyon. Your Navajo guide can even help you capture photos of the light beams that radiate through the rocks onto the sand floor. Your Antelope Canyon tour also includes a stop at Horseshoe Bend for even more sightseeing and photos.
Lake Mead
At nearly 250 square miles, Lake Mead is the largest manmade reservoir in the world. Created by runoff from Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a hot spot for outdoor recreation including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and even scuba diving. At just about 30 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Mead is ideal for a daytime getaway or even an overnight camping trip.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip and features a 13-mile scenic loop, dozens of hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and even seasonal waterfalls. Entry into Red Rock Canyon is free and a fantastic opportunity for families, friend groups, and solo adventurers to explore the otherworldly red rock formations and mountains.
Mount Charleston
Approximately 45 minutes northwest of the Strip lies Mount Charleston, providing a stark contrast to the local desert scenery. Here the mountainous landscape is covered in dense forestry, creeks, and seasonal waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy a variety of hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty, enjoy a meal or stay the night at the Mount Charleston Lodge, or hit the slopes at nearby Lee Canyon Ski Resort.
Overnight National Parks Trips from Las Vegas
For an ultimate sightseeing adventure, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime multi-day national park tour. You can fly in a sightseeing airplane from Las Vegas to destinations including:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Monument Valley
- Zion National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Antelope Canyon
- Horseshoe Bend
- Sedona, Arizona
- Bryce Canyon National Park
These 3-day excursions include airplane transport to each destination included in your tour, ground transport to included activities and guided tours, overnight accommodations, and meals to energize you for each action-packed day.
Fear of Missing Out? Book a Papillon Adventure Today!
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters offers daily departures to the Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon West, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and exciting overnight adventures to multiple national parks across the American Southwest. As the world’s largest and longest-operating air tour company, we proudly offer the most competitive rates on our air tours and superior safety ratings that surpass industry standards. If you’re in the beginning stages of planning your 2026 vacation to Las Vegas, let us enhance your trip with an unforgettable visit to the Grand Canyon and beyond.
Nature Vacation to the Grand Canyon FAQs
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The Grand Canyon receives the most visitation during the spring and fall months. The weather at the Grand Canyon tends to be much more mild in the spring and fall, whereas winters can be chilly and summers can be very warm. Papillon offers daily departures to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas and helicopter tours at the Grand Canyon, so no matter when you plan to visit, you can experience the sights from the sky.
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We certainly think so! Even if you only have one free day or afternoon in your Las Vegas vacation, you can experience the Grand Canyon aboard an air tour with Papillon. We offer daily helicopter flights directly to the West Rim, which even land on the bottom of the canyon floor. We also operate daily sightseeing airplane flights to the Grand Canyon National Park. We offer a range of departure times and flight durations, and the most competitive pricing in the industry.
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Both the Grand Canyon South Rim and the West Rim offer equally exciting, but different, sightseeing experiences. The South Rim contains some of the most world-famous views of the park, as well as shopping, dining, and a variety of hotels. The West Rim is a more rugged and natural location, and is home to the Skywalk Bridge, two unique lookout points, and a nearby Native American cultural center to explore. The West Rim is also the only region where helicopter tours land on the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
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Your Grand Canyon helicopter tour will show you incredible aerial sights of the South Rim, including the widest and deepest rock gorges in the park. You'll also see the Kaibab Forest and the Colorado River beneath you. If you are flying to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, you'll see Hoover Dam en route to the park as well as expansive desert scenery.
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The best time for a Grand Canyon helicopter tour really depends on your own schedule! Papillon offers daily helicopter tours with departures from the early morning to the late afternoon, so you'll can experience the Grand Canyon from the sky with plenty of time left to enjoy your vacation.
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There are many ways to sightsee across the Grand Canyon, including hiking, mule rides, and bike tours. However, we think the best way to experience the best views is aboard a Grand Canyon helicopter tour! Youll see aeril sights of the huge canyon expanse and the Colorado River beneath you. Papillon offers daily Grand Canyon helicopter tours at the South Rim and helicopter flights from Las Vegas to the West Rim. Here, you can even land on the very bottom on the canyon floor!
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We always make every attempt to keep a party together during their air tour. However, due to weight restrictions and party sizes, there is a possibility that your group may be divided into two separate aircraft.
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There are no age restrictions to participate in an airplane or helicopter tour. Children age 0-1 are considered lap children and can fly for free with a parent's ticket; children over the age of 2 must have a purchased seat. Tours that include visits to Antelope Canyon require children to be over the age of 8 to participate.
There is no maximum age cut-off for any tour; however mobility restrictions may limit elderly passengers in certain activities.
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No - Infants (0–23 months) fly free and must sit on a parent or guardian’s lap during the flight. Under Arizona law, any tours including a Hummer ground excursion require children to use a carseat. Buck Wild Hummer Tours provides car seats and booster seats for no extra charge, be sure to choose them during your reservation process. You are also welcome to use your own car seats or booster seats. Seat requirements include:
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- Younger than 8 years old, or
- Shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches tall (57 inches)
- Infant/Toddler Car Seats required for ages under 5
- Booster Seat required for ages 5-7
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For helicopter tours, we recommend that a pregnant woman in her 3rd (last) trimester check with her doctor before flying; however, due to the lower altitudes of our flights, we do not have any restrictions.
For airplane tours, we require that a pregnant woman in her 3rd (last) trimester have a doctor's note signed within 3 days of departure providing consent to fly.
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Strollers/prams cannot be brought about a helicopter due to space limitations; however, strollers can be stowed in an airplane. Contact our reservations department before your flight so we can prepare in advance to accommodate your stroller/pram.
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Car seats cannot be accommodated on the aircraft; children under 2 years of age may sit on their parent or guardian's lap during the flight.
