Lots of travelers are asking me if there will be Grand Canyon helicopter tours during the U.S. government shutdown. The answer is most definitely \”Yes.\”

Here\’s how it works…

The only part of the Grand Canyon that\’s affected by the congressional stalemate is the South Rim in Arizona. The West Rim is not affected because it lies outside the National Park\’s boundaries.

So, if you are planning a trip to the South Rim, you will not get past the front gates until a solution to the U.S. budget is passed. Therefore, the only way to experience the Park is by air tour.

How so? Well, as fortune would have it, Grand Canyon National Park Airport is in Tusayan, the small town that lies just outside the South Rim\’s front gates. As such, it\’s not federal government property. Nor are the skies above the Park.

South Rim air tours include helicopter and airplane tours. Helicopter tours are available as 30-minute and 50-minute flights. I prefer the later as you get to see up to 75 percent of the Park. Further, if you take the deluxe version, you\’ll be flying in an EcoStar 130, which is the best aircraft in sky today.

The South Rim airplane tour is 50 minute long and follows the same course as the helicopter in that it covers the South Rim, North Rim and everything up to the Park\’s eastern boundary. The other thing about these tours is that they are cheaper than helicopter rides.

Now for Las Vegas travelers…

Because the West Rim is not part of the National Park, it\’s business as usual. Everything, including helicopter tours, bus trips, airplane rides and rafting adventures (season ends mid-November) are going without a hitch.

The only issues for Vegas visitors are tours by plane and bus that go to the South Rim. Specifically, the Vegas-South Rim direct flight will remain unavailable until the budget is approved. Same goes for SR buses. That said, both tours are available for future purchase once the deadlock is undone.

Which brings me to my final point: cancellation policies. Here\’s where you don\’t want to deal with a cut-rate tour company. Why? Because there\’s a good chance there cancel policy is lousy and riddled special circumstances and fine print.

The companies you do want to partner with offer a full, 100 percent refund if the shutdown cancels your tour. For further protection, you can also cancel it yourself within 24 hours at not charge to you. Or you can upgrade it or downgrade it to a tour that is running on schedule. Find a company that puts your interests first and you\’ll have NOTHING to worry about as you book your tour in advance in order to get the Internet discount.

Conclusion

It’s unfortunate that the U.S. budget debacle has led to the closure of all national parks. Personally, however, I think it will get resolved and soon. Until then, travelers need to know that nearly 90 percent of all tours to the Grand Canyon are full operational and running as regularly scheduled. The only tours that aren’t running are bus tours from Las Vegas and Phoenix to the South Rim and airplane tours from Vegas to the South Rim that include a ground tour inside the Park. Thus seeing experience the canyon is very much a valid travel option.

Travel writer Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon tours. If you\’re looking to fly during the U.S. government shutdown, he recommends these South Rim flights http://www.grandcanyon123.com/best-grand-canyon-south-rim-helicopter-tours.html and these Las Vegas tours: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/what-are-the-best-grand-canyon-helicopter-tours-from-las-vegas.html

Travel writer Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon tours. If you\’re looking to fly during the U.S. government shutdown, he recommends these South Rim flights http://www.grandcanyon123.com/best-grand-canyon-south-rim-helicopter-tours.html and these Las Vegas tours: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/what-are-the-best-grand-canyon-helicopter-tours-from-las-vegas.html

Author Bio: Travel writer Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon tours. If you\’re looking to fly during the U.S. government shutdown, he recommends these South Rim flights http://www.grandcanyon123.com/best-grand-canyon-south-rim-helicopter-tours.html and these Las Vegas tours: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/what-are-the-best-grand-canyon-helicopter-tours-from-las-vegas.html

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, grand canyon tours, grand canyon helicopters, las vegas tours, south rim, travel