Scenic Helicopter Tour

There are many ways to experience the Grand Canyon South Rim and while individual desires, time and season play a role in what activities you will do, the experience will be one to remember.  Whether you choose to hike, take a mule ride or a scenic helicopter tour, you will have wonderful memories to take with you. At Maverick, we often are asked about other points of interest besides our South Rim tours that they can do during their visit.  We have compiled a list of what we consider our top 10 activities at the Grand Canyon. 
 

1. Maverick Helicopter tour. We offer 2 helicopter tours that depart the Grand Canyon Airport. One is 25-30 minutes long and the other is 45-50 minutes long.  Depending on your schedule for your stay, you will be able to accommodate it with one of these two tours that takes you over the Grand Canyon scenery.
2. Bright Angel Trail. A wonderful hike that you can tailor to your abilities and desires.  The length of the trail is just over 12 miles and it is not suggested that you do that in one day. 
3. Grand Canyon Village. Cute shops and restaurants populate this area.
4. Mather Point. This is the most popular vantage point for the Grand Canyon.  Located closest to the park entrance and right off the main road, Mather Point is very convenient.
5. Grand Canyon Deer Farm. Kids will especially enjoy this farm and petting zoo.  40 years old this farm features dozens of deer that you can pet and feed as well as buffalo, a pot-bellied pig, peacocks and llamas.  Miniature horses, donkeys, and goats also road the farm.
6. Grand Canyon Railway. The train departs from Williams, Arizona and takes a scenic tour to the Grand Canyon and is complete with a staged hold-up of the train as well as song and story about the history of the Grand Canyon.  The Polar Express is quite popular during the holiday season.
7. Grand Canyon Rim Drive.  Relax and take in the views of the Grand Canyon as you take this scenic drive around the rim.
8. Phantom Ranch.  Situated at the bottom of the canyon, this rustic complex features cabins and dorms made of native stone and wood. Reservations are required and are often booked years in advance for popular dates.
9.  Yavapai Point and Observation Station. Offering some of the most spectacular views of the inner canyon, as well as the Colorado River and Bright Angel Canyon.  Check out the observation station, where exhibits explain the geological process that formed the canyon.
10.   Desert View and Watchtower.  Featuring a restaurant, general store and service station.  The highlight is the watchtower that was built in 1932.  Great views of the canyon can be viewed from here.

If you're visiting a city in the Southwestern U.S.A., the Grand Canyon will never be far away from you.  Located in the northwest corner of the state of Arizona, the Grand Canyon National Park is so big that it covers more than 1,900 square miles.  Thus, you can access this awe-inspiring natural wonder from a host of nearby cities.  To make it a little easier for you to plan a Grand Canyon excursion, we're compiled a chart of the most common gateway points.  We've also roughly extimated the distances and driving times from each to the Grand Canyon's three rims.  Of course, if you are in Las Vegas, remember that Maverick Helicopters can save you the long drive by providing helicopter transport to the West Rim or direct jet service to the South Rim.
 

Grand Canyon

                                    South Rim                    North Rim                 West Rim
Flagstaff, AZ                81 miles                        207 miles                 216 miles
                                   1 hr 30 min                   3 hrs 45 min             3 hrs 55 min

Phoenix/Scottsdale      231 miles                     351 miles                  263 miles
                                    3 hrs 30 min                6 hrs 15 min              5 hrs 20 min

Sedona, AZ                 119 miles                       240 miles                  249 miles
                                   2 hrs 10 min                  4 hrs 55 min             4 hrs 20 min

Williams, AZ                 63 miles                         243 miles                 186 miles
                                    1 hr                               4 hrs 15 min            3 hrs 15 min

Los Angeles, CA           510 miles                     532 miles                  387 miles
                                    8 hrs 15 min                 8 hrs 50 min              5 hrs 50 min

Albuquerque, NM         412 miles                       522 miles                  549 miles
                                    6 hrs                             8 hrs 10 min              9 hrs

Las Vegas, NV              278 miles                       282 miles                   121 miles
                                    4 hrs 25 min                  4 hrs 40 min              2 hrs 30 min

Kanab, UT                    212 miles                       68 miles                     324 miles
                                    3 hrs 30 min                  1 hr 40 min                 6 hrs 10 min

St. George, UT             296 miles                       156 miles                   242 miles
                                    5 hrs 20 min                  2 hrs 55 min               4 hrs 15 min

The Grand Canyon is not a sight to be missed so if you take a South Rim tour or any other Grand Canyon tour, a helicopter is the way to go to see the most of this natural wonder.  Maverick Helicopters provides daily helicopter tours from Las Vegas to the West Rim.  In addition we provide airplane service to the South Rim with a scenic helicopter tour from the South Rim.  Grand Canyon helicopter tours are very popular and is really the only way to experience the grand size of the canyon.  

If you would like to know more about Maverick's helicopter tours, please contact us.

As the wedding Coordinator for Maverick Helicopters I have received requests from my previous blog on "Commitment Ceremonies on the Rise" so here is a bit of information you might find interesting.

Maverick Helicopters offers a commitment ceremony and can accommodate the Grand Canyon weddings, Valley of Fire and Las Vegas Strip ceremonies.  Let us be a part of your special day.

I have had the privilege of assisting with gay and straight commitment ceremonies and find I am receiving more and more inquiries regarding our helicopter wedding/commitment and charters to accommdate this segment of our customers.

Domestic partnership certificates issued in Nevada

By The Associated Press
10.02.2009 8:38am EDT

(Carson City, Nev.)  Nevada’s secretary of state issued domestic partnership certificate No. 1 at the state Capitol on Thursday as a state law providing many of the same legal rights as marriage to gay and straight partners went into effect.  

The first couple to be issued the certificate – Lee Cagley and Larry Davis – shared tears and laughter and were congratulated by Secretary of State Ross Miller.

“This gives us the legal rights to act for each other’s benefit,” said Davis, a funeral home director. “It’s a wonderful privilege and we’re grateful.”

While Nevada’s constitution bans same-sex marriage, the domestic partnership law extends rights similar to those held by married couples – including community property and the right to seek financial support after a breakup – to cohabitating couples.

Nevada’s law permits, but doesn’t require, employers to extend insurance benefits to domestic partners.

The measure was vetoed by Gov. Jim Gibbons, but overridden by lawmakers in May. Couples, both gay and straight, were allowed to pre-register between Aug. 24 and Sept. 24 to receive their certificates on Oct. 1. Registration is ongoing, and about 750 couples had applied as of midday Thursday.

In southern Nevada, Joleen Toves, 28, and Lisa Villagomez, 25, of North Las Vegas said they considered their partnership a positive step in a personal and political struggle. Their legal status as partners will help them through medical emergencies and other issues married couples commonly face, Toves said.

“It’s such a great thing to be able to make decisions for each other and have each other on very important life-changing decisions,” Toves said, as she held a white envelope containing their certificate. “She’s going to be, of course, my next of kin.”

The couple were joined by Toves’ 4-year-old daughter Leilei.

Toves, a bank manager, said they considered getting married in California before an amendment banning gay marriage was passed last year. She said she believes the Nevada law passed in part because it also provides partnership rights for straight couples who choose not to marry.

Nevada joins 16 other states that have laws recognizing domestic arrangements outside of marriage.

State Sen. David Parks, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, said Thursday was a big day for Nevada...(continued)

The Grand Canyon Sunset helicopter wedding/ceremony is by far the most popular of all our helicopter packages and does include the Vegas Nights Helicopter tour over the strip on your return flight and here is a recap of the helicopter wedding packages we offer at Maverick Helicopters:

Thanks to Maverick, I was able to take a Grand Canyon helicopter ride. Having never flown on a helicopter, I really didn’t know what to expect. Although I will say that it wasn’t that I was scared, but just anxious as to how it will feel flying in such an agile aircraft.

We arrived at the Las Vegas terminal armed with our camera, identification and a small water bottle. After our quick check-in we were escorted out to our helicopter by our pilot, Rick. Making small talk with the other passengers, we found out that we were the only couple from the United States. After our safety briefing, we all took individual pictures with the pilot in front of the helicopter then we boarded for the flight of our life!

Lifting off from the terminal was the coolest feeling, the helicopter reacts so quickly to the pilot’s movement and it seems to just glide across the taxiway as we prepare for clearance from the control tower. Did I mention the perfectly timed I-Pod Nano that played all the classics that had anything to do with Las Vegas or flying?! That definitely made the flight more interesting and fun.

As we lifted up over the Las Vegas strip, the city disappeared beneath us and we could see for forever! Having lived in Las Vegas for almost 4 years, I didn't realize that there was such greenery!  Once we were out of the Las Vegas airspace, the pilot began his narration of the points of interest we passed.  Flying by Lake Las Vegas on the way to Hoover Dam provided for a nice scenic helicopter tour.  We flew over Lake Mead and within 40 minutes of taking off from Las Vegas, we had come upon the Grand Canyon!   The West Rim of the canyon is very different than the South Rim and it offers a different kind of beauty that is surely appreciated by all that visit.  We flew through the canyon beneath the rim and felt like the size of an ant among giants! 

Arriving at Maverick's private landing site, we were speechless at the pristine surrounding.  Once we got out of the helicopter, Rick our pilot got to work setting up our snacks and popping the bubbly!  Since it was before noon, we opted for a mimosa and enjoyed a pastry. 

This was my husband's first trip ever the the Grand Canyon so we had to make sure that we took plenty of pictures to remember this trip.  We even got to meet the local wildlife... chipmunks that is. 

Our helicopter ride back to Las Vegas detoured over the downtown Fremont Street area as well as the Las Vegas strip. Looking down on the strip from the helicopter provided for a new perspective on city.  

On our arrival back to the Las Vegas terminal, we were greeted by the friendly staff that ended the best helicopter tour!  

Having taken many Las Vegas sightseeing trips over the years, I would have to rank Maverick Helicopters as #1! 

If you are interested in taking a helicopter tour with Maverick Helicopters, feel free to contact them today!

Planning a trip to the Las Vegas area? One of the places you should be planning a sightseeing tour to is the beautiful Valley of Fire. We want to provide you with some facts, figure and history on this state park to help you decide on why your should experiecen this wonder.

Formed more than 150 million years ago, the Valley of Fire certainly provides you with a glimpse back in time. It’s also a place of rare beauty where the rocks take on every possible shade of red imaginable. Here’s some trivia about this natural wonder located in the Mojave Desert just 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas—so you’ll be well informed when you join all the other visitors who flock to it annually. 

By The Numbers

·        At 36,000 acres, theValley of Fire is Nevada’s largest state park.

·        Don’t get the Valley of Fire in Nevada mixed up with the Valley of Fires in New Mexico, which is a popular recreational area comprised of many miles of black lava fields.

·        The bright red colors at the Valley of Fire are a side effect of iron oxide (better known to many as rust!) found in the rocks. Manganese and other oxides are responsible for the black pigmentation, called “desert varnish,” that you’ll see on other rocks.

·        You’ll want to bring water with you because you won’t find much of it at the Valley of Fire. The area receives only four inches of rain each year—and often that comes from a single thunderstorm in July or August.

·        You can get some water from the Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center. A well was drilled 1,500 feet beneath the ground. Power lines that provide electricity to the center are also buried 940 feet underground.

·        Among the species of wildlife you can see in the Valley of Fire are bighorn sheep, badgers, coyotes, white-tailed antelope squirrels, rattlesnakes, ring-tailed cats, desert tortoises, ravens and lizards.

·        There are nearly 20 miles of roadway in the Valley of Fire. The main road runs from west to east. You can enter on either side and the drive is gorgeous in both directions. A scenic six-mile loop also forks northward from the visitor center, where you’ll find viewpoints and the most popular trails.

·        When the Valley of Fire first opened as a state park, it averaged 9,000 visitors each year. Today, about 250,000 people visit annually.

By The History

·        Petrified logs and stumps from ancient forests that existed 225 million years ago—before the Valley of Fire was formed!—can be seen at two locations in the state park.

·        About 200 million years ago, a deep ocean basin covered the area that would become the Valley of Fire.

·        The Valley of Fire was formed about 150 million years ago, during the age of the dinosaurs. First, the floor of the ocean rose, and in the years that followed, a great shifting of sand and shaping due to the geological process of wind erosion took place.

·        Among the prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire were the Anasazi Pueblo peoples. They visited from 300 B.C. to 1150 A.D. for the purposes of hunting, gathering food and conducting religious ceremonies. Since there was little water, it was impossible for them to settle in the area.

·        In the 1890s, a renegade Paiute Indian named Mouse worked on a ferry that crossed the Colorado River. After a drunken episode where he shot up an Indian camp, his employers fired him and dumped him off in Arizona, where he killed two prospectors. Intensive searches for Mouse were conducted, but he hid in a natural basin in the rocks at the Valley of Fire. On July 11, 1897, a posse finally tracked Mouse down and he was shot and killed. His hiding spot, now known as Mouse’s Tank, is located at the end of the most popular trail at the Valley of Fire.

·        A large brick monument of a cross was erected at the Valley of Fire in June of 1949. It honors pioneer travelers including Captain John J. Clark. The retiree of the 13th New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment had been driving a wagon along the Arrowhead Trail and died of thirst in June of 1915.

·        The Valley of Fire State Park was established in 1935. It is Nevada’s oldest state park.

·        You don’t need a horse and buggy to get to the Valley of Fire today. Every mode of transportation is possible. You can go by car or bus or even by helicopter - where you can land on top of a remote plateau.

·        The Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center was built in the late ’60s. It was remodeled in the late ’80s and features the same red color as the sandstone cliffs behind it. There are plans to remodel and expand it in the near future.

·        Since 2005, every year in November, the annual Valley of Fire Marathon is held.

 
Maverick helicopters know first hand the beauty that surrounds the Las Vegas area. We have created the best helicopter tours that include the amazing red rock formation for you to expereience. Plus, our wonderful in-house wedding planner has created a helicopter wedding package where mother natures handy work is a backdrop for your special day.

The Valley of Fire Tour: Truly Amazing!
The most beautiful drive I’ve ever taken was on State Route 169—or more specifically, the part of the highway that went through the Valley of Fire State Park. It was breathtaking! I’m telling you, as far as state parks go, this one is a must-see—especially if you’re visiting Las Vegas, where it’s situated only 55 miles away. That’s less than an hour by car, and even quicker by a sightseeing helicopter tour.

The most memorable thing from my trip to the Valley of Fire was being greeted by amazing rock formations—the likes of which I’ve never seen before. I felt as if I were getting the red carpet treatment, but here, instead of flashbulbs, everywhere I looked there were rocks gleaming in a variety of gorgeous shades of red. And would you believe these beautiful rocks are always changing? With the movement of the sun, their colors deepen and their shadows alter, making the formations take on totally different appearances from sunrise to sunset.

My first stop was to the Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center. The staff is very friendly and I got a little inside information about the park’s background and geology. I always find I enjoy things more when armed with knowledge. I also discovered there are a ton of things to do at the Valley of Fire—from hiking and picnicking to camping. You can even cool off with a swim at Rogers Springs or Lake Mead, which are located nearby.

Another highlight of my visit to the Valley of Fire was doing the short, fairly easy White Domes loop trail. It’s just over a mile long, and I remember passing through several unique settings during the trek. I navigated rocks on a dry wash bed, scuttled on soft sand and even entered a narrow canyon—where the red rocks dazzled me yet again. About halfway through, I came across the remains of the film set from The Professionals, which was shot at the park in 1966. That was much better than viewing movie memorabilia at a museum and it cost less!

Of course, I highly recommend a drive on the six-mile scenic loop where you’ll find that many of the Valley of Fire’s most popular rock formations (like Arch Rock) are just steps away. It’s a somewhat rough unpaved road, but well worth the bumpiness as you can drive right up to most of them. Many are named for animals or other objects—such as the Beehives, Atlatl Rock and Elephant Rock—although in some cases the resemblance is a bit of a stretch. I did like the Seven Sisters formation, which is a beautiful grouping of tall, red boulders in the midst of the flat desert. These rocks had an eerily sacred presence that gave me a feeling of inner peace and tranquility.

Maverick Helicopter tour company based in Las Vegas knows first hand the beauty the Valley of Fire has to offer. Maverick has created helicopter tours that include these inspirational red rock formation for you to experience. Plus, our talented in-house wedding planner has designed an amazing wedding package where mother's natures hand work is a bride's backdrop for this memorable day.


Overall, you cannot beat the natural beauty of the Valley of Fire. It’s a great place to visit. I know you won’t be disappointed.

Written by our Travel Gal, Renee Libutti

Sightseeing Tour Question on the Valley of Fire Helicopter

Can you describe the Valley of Fire?

The Valley of Fire is Nevada’s first and largest state park. Its name sounds passionate and dramatic—and with all the remarkable red sandstone formations and multi-colored hoodoos, the landscape certainly evokes both of these adjectives, too. The Valley of Fire is located just 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas. That’s a 40-minute drive via the I-15 North or a 20-minute helicopter flight. Some of the amazing rocks are named for their shapes—like the Beehives, the Seven Sisters, Elephant Rock, Arch Rock and Atlatl Rock. Another spectacular area is the White Domes, a cluster of rounded sandstone rocks with brilliant contrasting colors. Perhaps the most scenic point at the park is Rainbow Vista. The overlook offers a stunning panorama of the Valley of Fire, stretching out for miles in the distance. Mounds of pink, orange and yellow sandstone rocks rise like waves rolling on a rough ocean. Many of Maverick's helicopter tours go there around sunset because that’s when the rocks are most striking—and eerie, as the desert shadows lengthen around them. At the Valley of Fire, you can also see ancient petroglyphs as well as lizards and other desert wildlife out sunning themselves. The park is accessible year round, and you can learn all about its history at the visitors’ center, which is open daily from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

We have complied a list of suggested items to bring with you on your rafting trip with Maverick Helicopter Tours. 

Keep in mind that the water temperature averages 50°F. Check the weather at the Grand Canyon before your trip since it can vary throughout the year. Remember that the Grand Canyon West Rim temperature varies approximately 5-10°F from Las Vegas.

So here is the count down of rafting items:
 

·         Quick-drying shorts. Nylon is the preferred fabric and jeans are not recommended since they can weigh you down and do not dry quickly. The key is to have fabric that will dry quickly.

·         Cotton T-shirt. It’s a great way to stay cool and keep the sun from burning you. Avoid heavy cotton shirts with longer sleeves that would make it difficult to swim.

·         Hat with Brim. It can be either a baseball cap, bucket hat, or a sun hat with a wide brim. Just make sure that it will shade your face from the sun.

·         Tennis shoes. If you have some old athletic shoes with laces or Velcro closing, that is preferred. You want to make sure that they are secure and won’t slip off. Do not wear flip flops or boots.

·         Sunglasses. Don’t bring your designer frames in case they get damaged during the trip and we also recommend having a retention strap on your sunglasses to make sure you don’t lose them.

·         Sunscreen. No matter what time of day or type of weather, we always recommend using sunscreen with a SPF 30+ to protect your skin.

·         Swimsuit. Many people find it easier to wear as undergarments in case they get wet or want to take a dip in the cool water One of the most amazing ways to experience the Grand Canyon is with a helicopter and landing tour with the added bonus of river rafting through the scenic Black Canyon on the Colorado River.

With Maverick's Rafting tour you will enjoy a Grand Canyon helicopter adventure and see awe-inspiring scenery at one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Following the best helicopter tour through the Grand Canyon, you will land at the Boulder City Airport and meet up with the rafting crew.

Your fully motorized and narrated river rafting voyage will depart from the base of Hoover Dam and float 12 miles down the grand Colorado River. The Colorado River rafting tour includes several stops along the river and lunch served upon reaching Willow Beach, Arizona.
 
This is an amazing air and water adventure that is waiting for you. If you are looking for more information visit Maverick Helicopters.