Grand Canyon Tours During the U.S. Govt. Shutdown
The U.S. Government is still shut down so all of our National Parks are closed. What should you do if you have a trip planned to the Grand Canyon? Well, if you are planning on taking a tour, especially an aerial tour, it may not affect your plans at all.
The portion of the canyon around the South Rim is closed. That area is near Tusayan where the main gates are located. However, the West Rim is not situated on government land so tours are still operating as normal there.
West Rim Tours
If you plan to depart from Vegas and go to the West Rim, there will be no interruptions to your plans. It is just over 100 miles away, which is about 2 hours by motor coach or automobile. You could also go by plane and get there in thirty minutes or by chopper and get there in 45.
However, flights to the South Rim out of Vegas are grounded for the time being. There is no flight from the West Rim to the South Rim either. So, if your heart is set on seeing the South Rim, you will have to reschedule your trip when the government shutdown is over, or you can catch an air tour out of a city in Arizona. For example, if you plan to be in Sedona, Flagstaff, or Phoenix, you can arrange to take an air tour of the South Rim.
Touring The South Rim
There are two choices in South Rim aerial tours. You could take an airplane tour that flies over some very beautiful scenery that is between the North and South Rims and the east edge of the Park. You can also opt to take a helicopter ride that covers the same ground. If you want to take a shorter tour, there is a half-hour chopper tour too. You will see fantastic panoramic views and many unusual rock formations on these air tours. If you want the best view possible, choose the helicopter tour because the choppers fly lower and you are closer to the scenery. You have to pay more for a chopper tour though.
Fun Things To Do
There are all kinds of fun activities at the West Rim. Remember, since the West Rim is business as usual, you can take bus, chopper, and plane tours there from Vegas. You can even take landing tours there. Landing tours are fantastic fun because you get a personal view of the canyon and you get to visit fun landmarks like the glass Grand Canyon Skywalk. That's not to say the air-only tours are not any fun, because with them you get to see all the amazing rock formations from an aerial perspective, plus you get to fly over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.
Be sure to consider taking one of the most popular tours of the West Rim. It comes with a ride in a helicopter that descends to the canyon floor and once you get there, you get to enjoy a nice champagne picnic. You could also take an exciting airplane tour that stops at the Grand Canyon West Airport on top of the rim and gives you the opportunity to explore the area for about three hours. For instance, you can experience the Skywalk or descend to the floor of the canyon and take a raft ride along the Colorado River.
Recap
It is nice to know you won't have to worry about the tours in the Grand Canyon being shut down. Don't even worry about the government shutdown. Don't let it scare you into changing your plans. Before you go, understand how the tours are operating, especially if you want to go to the South Rim. Since the main gates to the Park are closed at the South Rim, if you want to go there, you have to do it by air. The tours going to the Grand Canyon are popular as always and the seats go fast. Get your seats early so you don't miss the chance to see this scenic wonderland. When you are ready to buy your tickets, do it on the tour operator's website so you can take advantage of the Internet rate and save some cash.
The portion of the canyon around the South Rim is closed. That area is near Tusayan where the main gates are located. However, the West Rim is not situated on government land so tours are still operating as normal there.
West Rim Tours
If you plan to depart from Vegas and go to the West Rim, there will be no interruptions to your plans. It is just over 100 miles away, which is about 2 hours by motor coach or automobile. You could also go by plane and get there in thirty minutes or by chopper and get there in 45.
However, flights to the South Rim out of Vegas are grounded for the time being. There is no flight from the West Rim to the South Rim either. So, if your heart is set on seeing the South Rim, you will have to reschedule your trip when the government shutdown is over, or you can catch an air tour out of a city in Arizona. For example, if you plan to be in Sedona, Flagstaff, or Phoenix, you can arrange to take an air tour of the South Rim.
Touring The South Rim
There are two choices in South Rim aerial tours. You could take an airplane tour that flies over some very beautiful scenery that is between the North and South Rims and the east edge of the Park. You can also opt to take a helicopter ride that covers the same ground. If you want to take a shorter tour, there is a half-hour chopper tour too. You will see fantastic panoramic views and many unusual rock formations on these air tours. If you want the best view possible, choose the helicopter tour because the choppers fly lower and you are closer to the scenery. You have to pay more for a chopper tour though.
Fun Things To Do
There are all kinds of fun activities at the West Rim. Remember, since the West Rim is business as usual, you can take bus, chopper, and plane tours there from Vegas. You can even take landing tours there. Landing tours are fantastic fun because you get a personal view of the canyon and you get to visit fun landmarks like the glass Grand Canyon Skywalk. That's not to say the air-only tours are not any fun, because with them you get to see all the amazing rock formations from an aerial perspective, plus you get to fly over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.
Be sure to consider taking one of the most popular tours of the West Rim. It comes with a ride in a helicopter that descends to the canyon floor and once you get there, you get to enjoy a nice champagne picnic. You could also take an exciting airplane tour that stops at the Grand Canyon West Airport on top of the rim and gives you the opportunity to explore the area for about three hours. For instance, you can experience the Skywalk or descend to the floor of the canyon and take a raft ride along the Colorado River.
Recap
It is nice to know you won't have to worry about the tours in the Grand Canyon being shut down. Don't even worry about the government shutdown. Don't let it scare you into changing your plans. Before you go, understand how the tours are operating, especially if you want to go to the South Rim. Since the main gates to the Park are closed at the South Rim, if you want to go there, you have to do it by air. The tours going to the Grand Canyon are popular as always and the seats go fast. Get your seats early so you don't miss the chance to see this scenic wonderland. When you are ready to buy your tickets, do it on the tour operator's website so you can take advantage of the Internet rate and save some cash.
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