Helicopter, Picnic At Willow Beach

A 10-hour helicopter and raft day from Las Vegas: a flight over the Grand Canyon, a river float below Hoover Dam, a picnic lunch at Willow Beach and hotel transport.

Overview

This tour pairs two very different views of the Colorado River: a helicopter flight down into the Grand Canyon, and a smooth water float along the same river from the base of Hoover Dam. The full day runs about 10 hours door to door, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Las Vegas included. It runs Thursday through Sunday, with closures over Thanksgiving, Christmas week and New Year's Day.

The morning starts with a short coach ride from your hotel to the helicopter terminal. From the air you pass Hoover Dam, the Bypass Bridge and Black Canyon, circle Fortification Hill, an extinct volcano, and then drop into the Grand Canyon itself, following the Colorado past layered rock walls and colored pillars. The pilot narrates throughout. Back on the ground, a coach takes you to Hoover Dam Lodge in Boulder City, where the raft portion begins at the launch point below the dam.

The raft drifts 14 miles through Black Canyon with a guide, pausing at quiet river beaches where you can swim or wade. Desert bighorn sheep, osprey and great blue herons are the wildlife to watch for. A picnic box lunch is served along the way, and the float ends at Willow Beach in Arizona, with a chance to browse for souvenirs before the drive back. It suits travellers who want the canyon from above and the river from water level in one day, without any whitewater.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup is offered from a long list of Las Vegas hotels, with the specific point confirmed at booking. A coach takes you toward the air terminal.
2. Coach to terminalA bus or coach transfer of about 30 minutes from the Strip area to the helicopter terminal, where complimentary water is available.
3. Helicopter flightThe flight covers Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Black Canyon, Fortification Hill and the Grand Canyon before returning, with pilot commentary and forward-facing seats.
4. Coach to Hoover DamAfter landing at Harry Reid Airport, a coach ride of about 1 hour takes you to Hoover Dam Lodge in Boulder City and the raft launch area below the dam.
5. River raftingA guided 14-mile smooth water float through Black Canyon, about 4 hours, with beach stops for swimming and a picnic box lunch along the way.
6. Willow BeachThe float ends on the Arizona side at Willow Beach, where souvenirs can be purchased at your own expense.
7. Return transferA coach ride of about 1 hour returns you to Las Vegas, with drop-off at the same range of hotels.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how this day goes, from what to pack to how the weight policy works.

• What to bring. The listing recommends sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a camera, sunscreen, water and comfortable clothes. You will want the swimwear for the beach stops on the river, where the water is cool and clear.
• Pace and fitness. This is a smooth water trip, not whitewater. The day is long, roughly 10 hours, so plan for a full outing.
• Food and drink. A picnic box lunch is included, along with water at the air terminal. Any other food, drinks or purchases, including souvenirs at Willow Beach, are on you.
• Weight policy. Passengers over 250 lbs (112 kg) need to buy an additional seat. If that applies to anyone in your group, factor it into the budget before booking.
• Photography. The listing specifically suggests bringing a camera for the towering walls of Black Canyon. The helicopter has 180-degree panoramic views from forward-facing seats.
• Timing. The tour only runs Thursday through Sunday, and the listing directs travellers to select the 7.00 AM departure time for this raft combination. Plan the day around an early start and a late return.

Common issues. Gratuities are not included, and neither are extra food, drinks or purchases at Willow Beach. Passengers over 250 lbs (112 kg) must pay for an additional seat, which can add real cost for larger travellers. The tour does not operate Monday through Wednesday, and it closes over Thanksgiving, Christmas week and New Year's Day, so midweek travellers will need a different option. Pets, smoking, alcohol and weapons are not permitted.

Before You Book A Raft