Overview of the Sedona Helicopter Tour Experience
This helicopter tour with Guidance Air lifts you above Sedona's iconic red rocks to reveal a landscape most visitors never see from the ground. The video follows Jamaica Burkstrom, the base manager and chief pilot, as he guides viewers through canyons and ruins accessible only by air or multi-day hikes. You'll soar over Secret Canyon, Long Canyon, and Boon Canyon—wilderness areas dotted with 700-year-old Native American cliff dwellings—while gaining a true sense of how vast the Sedona region actually is.
This experience suits adventurous travelers visiting Sedona for multiple days who want to maximize their sightseeing without spending hours on hiking trails. Whether you're concerned about missing hidden landmarks or simply want a thrilling perspective, a helicopter tour delivers both discovery and convenience. The video emphasizes that many visitors end up booking this as an afterthought on their final day, then wish they'd done it first to better plan their remaining itinerary.
Key Moments
Highlights You'll See on This Sedona Flight
- Secret Wilderness Area canyons with 700-year-old Indian cliff dwellings nestled in rocky cliff faces
- Robert's Ruth and ancient ruin sites that would require 1–2 days of hiking to reach on foot
- Jerome, an old mining ghost town visible on the mountainside near Cottonwood
- Seasonal lighting effects—fresh snow dusting the red rocks after winter storms, or dramatic sunset colors
- Doors-off photography option for unobstructed side-angle vistas and the sensation of open-air flight
- The full scale of Sedona's hiking trails, mountain bike routes, and jeep trails from above
What to Know Before Booking Your Sedona Helicopter Tour
- Best timing for first-time visitors: Book the tour early in your stay so you can identify places you want to explore further during the remainder of your trip.
- Lighting conditions matter: Sunset flights offer dramatic colors, but morning flights are equally beautiful; the day after fresh snow provides spectacular views if weather cooperates.
- Photography equipment: Smartphone cameras work fine for most shots, but DSLR cameras like Nikon or Canon allow you to zoom in closer on cliff dwellings and ruin sites.
- Doors-off option available: Standard tours have doors on, but you can request doors-off flights for unobstructed photography and a more immersive open-air experience—hold onto your hat and camera.
- Safety concerns are overblown: Many passengers expect vertigo or turbulence, but the video shows most visitors leave with "ear-to-ear smiles" and find the experience less scary than anticipated.
- Book in advance: Helicopter tour spots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons; reserve early to secure your preferred date and time.
Common Questions About Sedona Helicopter Tours
How much ground can you cover on a helicopter tour?
The video shows that what would take 1–2 days of hiking to reach on foot can be surveyed in a single flight. Visitors repeatedly express surprise at how vast the Sedona wilderness actually is, realizing they could spend a month exploring and still not visit all the trails, canyons, and sites visible from the air.
Will I feel scared or dizzy during the flight?
According to the video, many people expect a vertigo-like feeling similar to standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, but passengers consistently report the opposite—they find the experience exhilarating rather than frightening, with no unexpected bumpiness.
What's the difference between doors-on and doors-off flights?
Doors-on flights provide standard window views. Doors-off flights eliminate the window barrier, giving you straight-down views below the helicopter, side angles out the window, wind in your hair, and a more immersive sense of being in nature rather than inside a machine. The trade-off is you must be comfortable with height and secure your camera.
When is the best time of day to fly?
The video notes that sunset flights offer exceptional lighting, but morning flights are equally beautiful. For a truly epic experience, book the day after fresh snow falls—the white dusting on red rocks creates a visual effect the pilot describes as unlike anything you've seen before.
Can I take photos with my phone?
Yes. The video confirms that modern smartphone cameras work well for most photography. If you own a dedicated camera like a Nikon or Canon, you'll have better zoom capability to capture detailed shots of the ancient cliff dwellings and ruin sites.
