I need to make a decision for a wedding gift: Friends of mine are supposed to fly out of Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon on a day-trip.
They can

- either fly to Grand Canyon West, take a helicopter to the bottom of the Canyon and take a raft ride before going back the same way

- or fly to Grand Canyon South and just take a helicopter ride.

I take it scenery is more spectacular at Grand Canyon South, but how does it compare to West and would the raft ride compensate for a possibly less spectacular scenery?

Also: Where is the new Skywalk platform located and could that be incorporated in either tour?

Thank you.

The scenery at the South Rim blows away that of the West -- which is no snub at the scenery of the latter, it's just that the South's is so spectacular.

The raft ride on the West Rim is not white-water; you just get to see this (far inferior) scenery from a different angle.

The Skywalk happens to be at the West Rim. Whether it's worth $50 per person for a short walk is a matter of opinion. I have no doubt that, if you go there instead of to the best scenery, the Hualapai will take your money.

Very helpful. I would amost have figured as much. Thank you.

Grand Canyon West is considered "Grand Canyon Lite" in Arizona, set up by the local Indian tribe to fleece vacationeers coming from Las Vegas for the day. The real Grand Canyon can be found on the north or south rims.

Also: Where is the new Skywalk platform located and could that be incorporated in either tour?

This is most def part of the West Rim scam, it costs $80 ($50 parking/entrance plus $30 for the Skywalk) for a 15 minute walk over a side canyon (not the main canyon). This is the biggest tourist trap in Arizona. There are a lot of unhappy people feeling pretty sheepish once they step off.

The Phoenix newspaper had a feature article on the West vs North/South split last weekend and mentioned that on TripAdvisor the Skywalk is rated # 760 out of 781 in "Arizona Attractions". I can only wonder where the 21 'attractions' rated lower are.

Basically the West rim is for people coming from Vegas who don't know any better and go there because it's closer than the south or north rims.

Bill

I agree with everything above. Many people have been disappointed by the over-hyped GC West visit.

Your friends will surely enjoy the flight to GC South Rim, and a helicopter ride from there. I believe the tours may also include some time n the ground" so they can stand at the rim and be amazed at the beauty and enormity.

What a wonderful wedding present.

Thanks everyone for helpful insights. As the vote is unanimous, South Rim it is.

Here's a link to the newspaper article I mentioned earlier, the one describing the 'rivalry' between GC West vs the more traditional GC north and south rims. It's pretty balanced ...

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...nfeud0608.html

At one point the marketing manager of the West rim says the following:
Pointing out Native American dancers performing to Amazing Grace at the Eagle Point viewpoint near the Skywalk, he said pointedly, "Did you see that at the South Rim?"

If your reply would be "Thank God no!" then you'll be better off at the south rim ... if watching Indians dance to 'Amazing Grace' is appealing then head for the West rim.

Bill