Should I Visit the West Rim or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon?

The most difficult part about picking a Grand Canyon tour is opting to check out the South Rim or the West Rim. Both are fantastic places. So, in an effort to break this tie, I'm going to do a short rim-by-rim comparison that will make certain you're paired with the place that's best for you.

Do you want activities or scenery?

The West Rim excels in things to do. It's the only place where you can ride a chopper 4,000 feet to the bottom. Then, if you're so inclined, you can walk upstream and river raft the Colorado River.

The world-famous Grand Canyon Skywalk is based here. This attraction is a superbly designed glass walkway that allows you to walk 70 feet beyond the edge as it lifts 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 flight to a working cattle ranch, ATV trail rides, Hummer off-road adventures, and horseback riding. One of my favorite things to do at the West Rim is the Hoover Dam smooth-water rafting trip to Willow Beach.

Grand Canyon National Park (a.k.a. South Rim) is tame compared to the West Rim. What it lacks in "thrills" it makes up in natural beauty. This is the section of the National Park that even the rangers allude to as the "real" canyon.

There are no heli tours to the base at the South Rim. If you want to get to the base, you have to walk. Having said that, the air tours here are excellent. The chopper ride from Tusayan goes straight into the center of the Dragoon Corridor, the broadest, deepest section of the Grand Canyon, while plane excursions cover the South, East, and North rims.

There's also the amazing 1-day canyon water-rafting journey that operates from April to November. Options include taking a coach or plane to Page, AZ, and then transferring to a river raft. This is a smooth-water trip so there is no whitewater. Kids ages four years and up are allowed.

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

From whence are you starting from?

The West Rim is just 120 miles from Sin City. Choppers, airplanes, and coaches can do the trip in 45 minutes, 25 minutes, and 2.5 hours, respectively. Grand Canyon National Park is too far for Las Vegas helicopters. Your only options are the plane or the tour bus.

I highly advise taking the 45-minute airplane flight from Vegas to the South Rim. It's fast, comfy, and one of the very best deals on the market. The coach is incredibly affordable, 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 South Rim in 4 hours and 2 hours, respectively. There are coach, plane, and chopper tours from those locales but it's far more affordable to drive yourself and do an air tour from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan.

How long do you plan to be at the canyon?

Grand Canyon West tours from Las Vegas are ideal day trips. The longest tour is a full day. Air-only trips are around 4 hours, including hotel pick up and drop off. The Ground Canyon South Rim car takes 15 hours minimum, which is why I advocate for the plane tour because it will have you back on the Vegas Strip in time for your evening reservations. Tours that begin in Northern Arizona are full-day trips. I often tell people to try to book a room inside the park and stay overnight. Easier said than done because Park accommodations are usually booked a year in advance.

How much can you spend?

Grand Canyon National Park and West Rim bus tours are the most economical and include lots of add-ons like water rafting, glass bridge passes and helicopter rides. Air tours are more costly, but you also see more of the Grand Canyon in less time. I estimate that what you see on a half-hour chopper flight is equivalent to a couple of days on the ground. Plus the airborne views are incredible.

Ready to travel?

Grand Canyon tours are filled with excitement and beauty. The two best areas are Grand Canyon West and Grand Canyon National Park. The dilemma is which rim to see. 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 advise doing the National Park for travelers starting out from Phoenix and Sedona. The key to ensuring you get the break of your dreams is too book ahead of time over the Internet. Adhere to this system and you'll get your Grand Canyon tour for a song.

Mr. Kravitz is a professional travel writer who reports on things to do at the Grand Canyon. If you are planning a canyon trip, check out his Top 3 Grand Canyon tour operators. His rankings are based on quality, safety and price. Spend several minutes on his page & there's a good chance you'll find the canyon tour of your dreams.