Do I Go To The West Rim Or The South Rim Of The Grand Canyon?

The toughest part about choosing a Grand Canyon tour is deciding to visit the South Rim or the West Rim. They are both fantastic destinations. So, in an effort to break this tie, I'm going to do a quick rim-by-rim evaluation that will ensure you're paired with the spot that's best for you.

Are you interested in activities or scenery?

The West Rim excels in activities. It's the only place where you can ride a heli 4,000 feet to the foot of the canyon. Then, if you're so inclined, you can walk upstream and river raft the Colorado River.

The internationally famous Grand Canyon Skywalk is here. This attraction is a superbly engineered glass-bridge that lets you walk 70 feet past the edge as it suspends you 4,000 feet over the river. Don't look down if you are vulnerable to vertigo.

More exotic things to do here include a heli journey to a ranch, ATV trail rides, Hummer off-road adventures, and horseback riding. One of my favorite things to do at Grand Canyon West is the Hoover Dam one-day, smooth-water float trip to Willow Beach.

Grand Canyon National Park (a.k.a. South Rim) is more serene when compared to the West Rim. What it lacks in "thrills" it makes up in natural splendor. This is the area of the National Park that even the rangers refer to as the "real" canyon.

There are no chopper rides to the bottom at the South Rim. If you want to get to the base, you have to hike. Having said that, the air tours here are excellent. The helicopter trip from Grand Canyon Airport goes straight into the heart of the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the Canyon, while airplane excursions cover the South, East, and North rims.

There's also the fantastic one-day Grand Canyon rafting trip that runs from April to November. Choices include taking a coach or airplane to Page, AZ, and then changing to a river raft. This is a smooth-water journey so there is no whitewater. Children ages four years and up are allowed.

The trails at South Rim are great. South Kaibab, Rim Top, and Bright Angel trails are the most in demand. For view points, go to Mather Point, Yaki Point, and Hopi Point. Most trips include guided tours to these points of interest.

Where's your starting point?

The West Rim is just 120 miles from Sin City. Choppers, planes, and buses can make the trip in 45 minutes, 25 minutes, and 2.5 hours, respectively. The South Rim is too far for Las Vegas helicopters. Your only alternatives are the airplane or the bus.

I highly advise taking the 45-minute plane flight from Las Vegas to the South Rim. It's quick, comfy, and one of the top deals on the market. The bus is astonishingly economical, but one-way drive time is 5.5 hours and total tour time is a whopping 15 hours.

Phoenix and Sedona travelers can drive to the National Park in 4 hours and 2 hours, respectively. There are bus, plane, and helicopter tours from those locations but it's far more affordable to drive and do an air tour from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan.

How long do you plan to be at the canyon?

West Rim trips from Las Vegas are ideal day trips. The longest tour is 1 day. Air-only trips are about four hours, including hotel pick up and drop off. The Ground Canyon South Rim car takes 15 hours minimum, which is why I cheerlead for the airplane tour considering the fact that it will have you back on the Vegas Strip in time for your evening reservations. Tours that start in Northern Arizona are full-day trips. I often tell people to try to book a room inside the National Park and stay overnight. Easier said than done as Park accommodations are generally booked a year in ahead of time.

What can you afford?

South Rim and Grand Canyon West bus excursions are the most affordable and include lots of add-ons like water rafting, Skywalk tickets and heli rides. Air tours are more expensive, but you also see more canyon in less time. I calculate that what you see on a 30-minute chopper flight is equivalent to a few days on the ground. Plus the aerial views are extraordinary.

Let's see the canyon!

Grand Canyon tours are loaded with adventure and beauty. The two best areas are the West Rim and Grand Canyon National Park. The dilemma is which rim to visit. If you are beginning from Las Vegas, the West Rim is your closest option. However, if your heart is set on Grand Canyon National Park, take the 45-minute airplane ride. I recommend doing the National Park for travelers leaving from Phoenix and Sedona. The key to making sure you get the break of your dreams is too book ahead of time and on the Internet. Adhere to this system and you'll get your Grand Canyon tour for a song.