Things to Do in The Grand Canyon from Las Vegas
A glass walkway on the West Rim, the classic South Rim views, or both from the air.
See top-rated activities »About the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is close enough to Las Vegas for a day trip, but which part of it you visit makes a big difference. Grand Canyon West, on the Hualapai Reservation in Arizona, is the nearest rim, about two and a half hours by road. The South Rim, inside Grand Canyon National Park, is the classic view most people picture, but it is roughly four and a half hours each way, which makes for a very long day by coach.
Grand Canyon West is run by the Hualapai Tribe, and visits are sold as packages that include the shuttle between viewpoints. Its best-known feature is the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that opened in 2007 and extends 70 feet beyond the canyon edge at Eagle Point; personal phones and cameras are not allowed on it, and lockers are provided. Guano Point has wide views over the Colorado River, and helicopter tours here can land below the rim, something not allowed inside the national park.
The South Rim offers the deeper, wider panoramas from Mather Point, Yavapai Point and the historic Grand Canyon Village, along with the national park's visitor center, rim trail and free shuttle buses. Coach tours from Las Vegas usually stop at Hoover Dam on the way and spend a few hours at the rim. Small-plane and helicopter tours cut the travel time sharply, and some itineraries add a night near the park so you can see sunset and sunrise over the canyon.
Which should you choose? If time is short or you want the Skywalk and a helicopter landing, choose the West Rim. If you want the national park and the most famous views, go to the South Rim, ideally with an overnight stay. Summer heat at the bottom of the canyon is dangerous, so hikes below the rim are for prepared hikers only, and all rims can see snow and road closures in winter.
Don’t Miss
Eagle Point and its glass Skywalk, Guano Point and helicopter flights into the canyon.
Mather Point, the rim trail, the visitor center and historic lodges.
Most coach tours stop at the dam or the bypass bridge en route.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Grand Canyon
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Las Vegas may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in the Grand Canyon
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »the Grand Canyon — FAQ
Which part of the Grand Canyon is closest to Las Vegas?
Grand Canyon West, about two and a half hours by road. The South Rim is about four and a half hours away.
Can I take photos on the Skywalk?
Not with your own phone or camera; they must be stored in lockers. Photographers on the Skywalk sell pictures.
Is a helicopter tour worth it?
It saves hours of driving and shows the canyon from above, and at Grand Canyon West some flights land below the rim. Book morning flights for calmer air.
More of Las Vegas
