Tours from Las Vegas to National Parks

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Landmarks and National Parks Near Las Vegas

In the late 1800s, the United States government began designating important areas of land as national parks, the first being Yellowstone National Park in 1872. These protected landscapes were selected based on their striking beauty or significance to the country's rich history. Other designations, such as national forests, national recreation areas, and national historical landmarks subsequently started being added to the growing list.

People travel from all over the world to visit Las Vegas, but many are unaware of their proximity to several breathtaking national parks. Our thrilling tours from Las Vegas can take you to once-in-a-lifetime destinations like the Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and other famously revered places like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. We even offer multi-day, overnight national park trips that visit several famous locations!

Grand Canyon National Park

In 1919, the dramatic landscapes of the Grand Canyon were honored and protected as a United States National Park. Visited by over 5 million people per year, the Grand Canyon is one of the premier natural destinations in the world. Many may not know that the entire Grand Canyon is not contained within the national park; in fact, the “Grand Canyon National Park” is a specific region also known as the South Rim.

Papillon offers daily flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim. Here you’ll find a variety of sightseeing opportunities and activities, including dozens of trails for hiking, bicycling, historic buildings and museums to explore, overnight hotels scattered across the canyon’s edge, and plentiful shopping and dining.

Your flight to the Grand Canyon National Park can also include a South Rim helicopter tour offering even more aerial views of the Colorado River, the incredible rock formations within the canyon walls, and the dense greenery of the Kaibab National Forest.

 Another flight package includes a ground excursion aboard a military-style Hummer vehicle to a variety of some of the most famous lookout points across the South Rim. Enjoy comfortable seating in this open-air vehicle and time to explore and take photos at each destination.

As the preferred provider for the Grand Canyon National Park Service, our helicopter tours are certified to fly the entire Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon West

Although it isn't a part of the National Park, the West Rim of the Grand Canyon offers an equally unique sightseeing experience. Owned by the Hualapai Native American tribe, the Grand Canyon West is home to the world-famous Skywalk Bridge – a 70-ft horseshoe-shaped bridge featuring a glass bottom, allowing visitors to experience standing in the air in the middle of the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon West Rim tours from Las Vegas can include entry onto the Skywalk, ground transportation to a variety of stunning lookout points, and West Rim helicopter tours that even land on the canyon floor! This is the only region of the Grand Canyon where helicopters can land on the very bottom, and Papillon has exclusive access to a unique landing spot near the bank of the Colorado River.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Located in southwest Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park contains some of the most otherworldly rock formations and nature in the world. You can drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon and experience the colossal stone amphitheaters, gatherings of massive rock spires called “hoodoos”, and even add a hike or bike ride to your adventure.

Zion National Park

Also a short distance from Las Vegas in southwest Utah, Zion National Park is a popular destination for nature lovers and explorers. You can visit Zion National Park on a two-hour drive from Las Vegas and enjoy limitless sightseeing opportunities of rock formations like Checkerboard Mesa, Angels Landing, and the Narrows. If you plan to visit Bryce Canyon, a stop at Zion National Park along the way is a worthy detour.

Hoover Dam National Historic Landmark

The Hoover Dam is a 726-foot-tall concrete structure that holds back the Colorado River and provides power to three separate states and is considered one of the engineering marvels of the modern world.

Before being registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1985, this massive concrete structure was also designated as a National Civil Engineering Landmark in 1984 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

If you fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon, you’ll discover aerial views of this incredible piece of architecture. When it comes to sightseeing near Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a spot you can't miss.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Created by runoff from Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is the largest man-made body of water in the United States, and one of the largest in the world. A favorite outdoor destination for Vegas locals, Lake Mead is famous for its offbeat landscape and wealth of recreational activities. Fishing, boating, hiking, cycling, swimming, and camping are just a few of the alluring opportunities available at this outdoor playground.

As a result of its popularity, Lake Mead was honored as America's First National Recreation Area in the mid-1960s. Today, it remains one of only 12 designated National Recreation Areas in the country.

You can see the colossal lake in all its glory aboard a helicopter or airplane tour en route to the Grand Canyon!

Antelope Canyon

Nestled within the depths of the Navajo Nation near Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the most sought-after destinations to visit in the United States. Because it is the property of the Navajo Tribe, it cannot be designated as a national park; regardless, its sandstone caverns and winding stone corridors have attracted visitors from around the world seeking to explore its depths.

Because of its sacred importance to the Navajo people, Antelope Canyon can only be explored through an official tour led by a Navajo guide. You can visit Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas or on a day trip from the Grand Canyon National Park and enjoy a guided tour through this famous slot canyon’s depths, with plenty of opportunity or photography. Your Navajo guide can answer questions and share the history of this ancient landmark. You’ll even get to stop at Horseshoe Bend for more pictures before your return flight to either Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon.

Types of Tours from Las Vegas to National Parks 

Helicopter Tours of National Parks & Landmarks

Because of its proximity to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon West can be reached in just over an hour via helicopter. En route, you’ll find aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the O’Callaghan-Tillman Memorial Bridge, and the Colorado River.

Flights to the Grand Canyon National Park can only be achieved via airplane; however, your flight can include a South Rim helicopter tour upon arrival. If you’re planning to visit the South Rim independently, you can also enjoy a Grand Canyon helicopter tour departing from Grand Canyon airport.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters also offers helicopter tours in Page, Arizona. You can fly over Horseshoe Bend for incredible aerial photography opportunities, see the dazzling waters of Lake Powell and its rippling shoreline, or even land on the very top of Tower Butte. In fact, Papillon is the only air tour operator with permission to land on top of this incredible natural rock formation.

Airplane Tours of National Parks & Landmarks

Enjoy the most remarkable aerial sights that the Grand Canyon National Park has to offer from the sky aboard a sightseeing airplane! From the air, you'll gaze across the vast expanse of the Grand Canyon National Park straight down to the canyon floor. Capture scenic views of the Kaibab National Forest and the Colorado River aboard your national park airplane tour.

These first-rate airplanes are specifically designed for sightseeing and are the perfect option for medium to large-sized groups. Each aircraft comes equipped with climate control and headset narration for each passenger available in a variety of languages.

Discover the spectacular bird's-eye views aboard a Papillon airplane national landmark and national park tour.

Overnight National Parks Tours from Las Vegas

Papillon has also partnered with Bindlestiff Tours to offer multi-day, overnight national park trips to a variety of nearby locations. Visit iconic natural destinations like:

• Grand Canyon National Park

• Bryce Canyon National Park

• Zion National Park

• Monument Valley

• Arches National Park

• Capitol Reef National Park

• Antelope Canyon

• Horseshoe Bend

• Sedona, Arizona

These 3-day excursions include overnight accommodations, meals each day, park entry, and guides to lead your tour through each location.

Visit a National Park from Las Vegas with Papillon

With more than 50 years flying the Grand Canyon and beyond, Papillon is the largest and most experienced helicopter tour operator in the world. As the preferred provider for the Grand Canyon National Park Service, we're certified to fly the entire Grand Canyon. Even better, our helicopters can touch down at exclusive landing sites at the bottom of the West Rim. We're also certified to fly closer to the Hoover Dam for breathtaking aerial views.