Where to Find the Best Views of the Grand Canyon

Due to the sheer size and scope of the Grand Canyon, the best views undoubtedly come from the sky. Helicopter tours typically depart from Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon itself and can be packaged with other experiences, like a picnic or walking tour on the West Rim, a below-the-rim landing, or a Colorado River boat ride.

To get to the Grand Canyon in style (and enjoy some bird's-eye views along the way), hop aboard an flightseeing airplane for a day of sightseeing around the South Rim, North Rim, or West Rim. Alternately, take an hour-long flightseeing tour of the desert, with panoramic views of the Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the Colorado River.

For travelers on a budget, one of the most economical ways to gaze directly down into the canyon is on the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass-bottomed, horseshoe-shaped bridge extending 70 feet out over the edge of the West Rim. Admission to the Skywalk is typically available as an upgrade on Grand Canyon tours.

The Grand Canyon is undeniably beautiful from above, but to get a sense for how deep it really is, you need to see it from the bottom. Thrill-seekers can take on 40 miles of varied rapids along the mighty Colorado River during a white-water rafting tour through the Grand Canyon, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way.