100-Mile Zion Panoramic Helicopter Flight Over Canaan and Kolob
Difficulty
easy
Duration
50 minutes
Fitness Level
No special fitness level required, but mobility to board and step in/out of the helicopter is needed
Overview
Soar above Zion’s rim on a 50‑minute, small‑group helicopter loop that takes in Kolob Canyons, Red Butte and the remote Canaan Mountain Wilderness. Expect dramatic perspective shifts, practical weight limits, and an optional butte landing for a closer look.
100-Mile Zion Panoramic Helicopter Flight Over Canaan and Kolob
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The helicopter lifts off with a soft, reassuring hum and the canyon walls rearrange themselves beneath you—sudden, sheer cliffs giving way to patchwork mesas and the rusty veins of ancient rivers. From the Rivers Edge facility you climb above the scrub and cottonwoods of Virgin, then arc along the park’s rim for a 50-minute, 100‑mile loop that makes the scale of Zion feel newly personal: Kolob Canyons’ knife-edges, the broad shoulders of Red Butte, and the remote, folded plateaus of the Canaan Mountain Wilderness sliding past like a topographic map come to life.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive Early for Weight Checks
Operators require passenger weights for balance—arrive 30–45 minutes early with exact weights to avoid delays.
Bring a Windproof Layer
Temperatures can drop quickly in the helicopter and on any optional butte landing—pack a light windbreaker.
Protect Your Eyes and Camera
Use polarized sunglasses and a fast‑shutter camera setting to cut glare and capture sharp aerial shots.
Mind the Minimum Passenger Rule
Flights need a minimum number of guests; have flexible plans in case your flight is rescheduled or refunded.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Golden eagles soaring along canyon thermals
History
The canyonlands here were used by Southern Paiute communities long before modern roads; early Mormon settlers later mapped and named many features visible from the air.
Conservation
Strict flight paths and altitude limits protect park soundscapes and wildlife; choose operators that follow FAA and National Park Service guidelines to minimize disturbance.
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Adventure Hotspots in Springdale, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Windproof Jacket
Keeps you warm during the flight and on any exposed butte landing.
spring specific
Polarized Sunglasses
Reduces glare from rock and sky to help you see geological detail clearly.
summer specific
Compact Camera or Smartphone with Fast Shutter
Captures the rapid, sweeping vistas—use fast shutter speeds to avoid motion blur.
Light Daypack
Carry water, ID, and any upgrade picnic items if you choose a butte landing.
fall specific