There numerous West Rim heli tours readily available, with departures from Las Vegas, Nevada. Some companies offer hotel pick-ups and drop-offs. Apart from providing awe-inspiring views of the Grand Canyon, many tours also fly over other popular attractions, such as the Hoover Dam, Iceberg Canyon, Lake Mead, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Valley of Fire.
The Grand Canyon Parks western region is the only place in the whole park where helis can land. It is situated approximately 120 miles east of Las Vegas. These aircraft can go down into the Inner Canyon, and land along side Colorado River. They provide amazing views of this park's ancient strata.
The Grand Canyon's western portion features the glass walkway. Launched in 2007, this attraction is owned and managed by members from the Hualapai Native American tribe. the glass walkway consists of a a 70-foot horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that stretches out from a sheer cliff. From this viewpoint, guests have spectacular views of the Colorado River, which is located 4,000 feel below.
This section of the park also features The Indian Village, which contains authentic dwellings constructed by indigenous people. The village consists of five buildings, and a 250-seat amphitheater. Also, Eagle Point, Guano Point, and Hualapai Ranch are part of this region's leading visitor hotspots. The Hualapai Ranch includes cowboy cookouts, covered-wagon rides and horseback rides, and live shows featuring professional gun-fighters.
Grand Canyon National Park is a well-known, popular national treasure. It was chosen as a preserve after a 1903 visit from United States President, Theodore Roosevelt. He was so impressed by the fascinating geological features and unique varieties of wildlife that he named the area as one of the country's first national parks. On November 28, 1906, it was formally designated as the Grand Canyon Game Preserve. During the following years, the Roosevelt administration added adjacent lands to this park. On January 11, 1908, it was re-designated as a United States National Monument.
This massive park includes various major ecosystems. It is home to a great diversity of animals and plants. Of the seven life zones identified in the world, five are contained within the park. They include the Canadian, Transition, Upper Sonoran, Lower Sonoran, and the Hudsonian. All environments from Mexico to Canada are represented. The region's numerous elevations come with a wide range of climates. The diverse climate-zones are the main factors that form the varied life zones. The region features 34 different species of mammals, 48 bird species, and 129 vegetative communities.
The park's wildlife includes bighorn sheep, bats, canyon tree frogs, coyotes, red-spotted toads, and Rocky Mountain toads. Also, moutain lions, weasels, gray foxes, bobcats, ring-tails, pocket mice, antelope squirrels, beavers, bald eagles, and 6 species of rattlesnakes make their homes in this environment. Insect colonies include midges, mayflies, butterflies, fire ants, beetles, honeybees, wasps, tarantula hawks, stoneflies, moths, and mites. Numerous scorpions and spiders also inhabit the park. They include the tarantula and black widow spider.
West Rim helicopter tours offer a number of tours into this beautiful park. Many fly from Las Vegas, with hotel pick-up and drop-off options available. Experiencing the park by air offers the most tremendous, panoramic views of this significant national treasure.
