Moab Canyonlands Airplane Tour: Must-Read Review & Tips

Thinking about seeing Canyonlands from the sky on an airplane tour? You’re not alone. This area, with its crazy cool rock formations and seemingly endless canyons, is seriously prime for an aerial view. It’s almost the sort of thing you just have to see to believe, too. But is an airplane tour the way to do it? I mean, are these tours actually worth the money? What should someone keep in their thoughts before you book? This review will share my experiences, what I think, and really helpful tips so you, too, can get a lot from your flight.

Why Choose an Airplane Tour of Canyonlands?

So, why even bother with an airplane tour instead of sticking to the ground? I believe there really are a few convincing reasons. You get such a vastly different perspective. On the ground, you might be looking up at these massive walls of rock, yet, from the air, you see how all the pieces connect, this huge, sprawling puzzle spread out far below. It’s almost like seeing the bigger picture, literally. A place like Canyonlands actually covers so much land and the airplane becomes such a time-saver, so it can be just impossible to see a whole lot in one trip otherwise. I mean, a quick flight can show you way more than days of driving and hiking ever could.

The view is breathtaking. Really, it’s something that photos struggle to do justice to. Getting up above it all brings out this feeling, maybe that the earth is big, wild, and way bigger than what we tend to think. I, as a matter of fact, remember this feeling when I went. The sunlight, too, paints the rocks in ways you just don’t see from down below, making everything look really rich and different. I believe this is why the tours tend to cost a little bit more, since they give a super unique experience, not something you can find somewhere else, to be honest.

Booking Your Flight: What to Keep in Mind

Okay, that said, let’s talk about booking the actual flight. Where to start? Well, first, give thought to timing. The time of year makes all the difference, honestly. Spring and fall usually have a good balance of comfortable temperatures, is that right? In the summer, it can get very, very hot, and that might affect flight conditions, or your enjoyment of activities before or after your flight. Winter could bring about its own challenges with weather, yet a snowy landscape might look stunning from above, maybe. In the middle of the day, the light can be harsh. Early morning or late afternoon, so too, often offers softer, warmer light which, really, makes the canyons glow.

Pick a solid operator. Read some reviews and search around. Not all flight tour companies are created equal, clearly. Some are, obviously, way better at customer service or have more experienced pilots. Safety is just the name of the activity here. Verify they have a sound safety record and good maintenance for their aircraft, okay? What kind of aircraft are they using? Smaller planes give more intimate views, or in other words you can see better, yet bigger planes can offer a smoother ride. Many of the tour operators, similarly to ground tours, talk about which routes they think are very cool and pretty special. See if what they mention grabs your attention, such as seeing specific landmarks or maybe flying over certain parts of the park.

My Experience: A Flight Over Canyonlands

As I was saying, I took my Canyonlands flight tour a couple of years back during the spring, actually. I almost didn’t book it. That time of year usually tends to be a popular time to see Canyonlands from above. The flight itself? Seriously breathtaking! We took off from a small airfield just outside of Moab, and in just minutes, so we were above this huge expanse of rock and canyon. The pilot was genuinely awesome, so I had that going for me. They had a lot of information about the area’s background, geology, and some interesting stories. I got to learn a little bit about the history and geology from back when everything was still taking place.

We soared over the Island in the Sky district, as a matter of fact, one of the most recognizable areas, probably, since you look straight down into deep canyons from above. Next was the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers, a really spectacular sight and, honestly, really a contrast of colors and shapes carved by both waterways. One of the neat parts, is that it seemed that all passengers had a window seat, something I now wouldn’t even go without if I ever booked another flightseeing tour.

What You’ll See: Key Highlights from Above

On a Canyonlands airplane tour, what all can you expect to see, really? Dead Horse Point is nearly something not to be missed and is quite spectacular, really. Even from the ground, the view from there is crazy, yet seeing it all fit into the bigger geography is fairly mind-blowing, very nearly. The Maze District, also, is so cool and remote that you only begin to realize how untamed it might be when you get up above. If your flight path allows it, so flying over the Needles District showcases these really tall, colorful spires that, I think, stand out against the landscape very wonderfully, at least for me anyway. Mesa Arch, honestly, looks quite different from above. If the light hits it a certain way, you may almost find it just glows, casting such an amazing shadow. That is really awesome!

Keep your camera super ready! You will really want to grab every photo you get since you could even say these views might happen once in a lifetime, possibly. Pro-tip: many tourists find that darker clothes work way better, since they help with the glare coming in through the window of the airplane, okay? That stated, ask if there’s anything you should consider beforehand. Some flights even tend to offer in-flight narration pointing out the sites. Make sure to clarify, that is that, since it will probably help enrich the journey as a whole.

Tips for an Unforgettable Experience

Okay, want your tour to be more than “just okay?” Here are quick pointers that many past flyers find can make your whole flight a ton better: Bring a decent camera. Your phone, frankly, may not cut it for capturing the far off views with a whole bunch of clarity, and honestly might only make the pictures more grainy and harder to look at. Stabilize the camera, since, for some folks, plane turbulence can almost make photos really tough. In particular, make sure to not wear clothes which are white. Lighter colors will almost reflect around the airplane’s inside, or so I’ve heard.

Discuss window cleanliness with the tour guide or office or company booking the day. Clean windows result in that much better picture quality! Also, give consideration to bringing something for potential ear-popping or dizziness due to turbulence, and you, too, can have a much more cozy and comfy ride. Make certain to also speak about altitude challenges or possible remedies. You’ll probably have more fun without pressure, literally. When they let you, really soak it all in! The whole point is the landscapes and perspectives. Turn the screens off, so to speak. Just chill, kick back, and simply take every gorgeous sight in.