Day Trips
Flying M Air is pleased to offer the following day trips to exciting destinations throughout Arizona:
- Waters-Sunset Mill Site
- Downtown Prescott
- Henry Wickenburg’s Legacy
- Swansea Town Site
- Ghost Towns and Mines Day Trip
- Sedona Day Trip
- Grand Canyon Day Trip
- Meteor Crater/La Posada
Have something else in mind? Contact us to discuss it.
Waters-Sunset Mill Site 
Explore an abandoned mill site on the banks of the Santa Maria River!
Originally worked in the late 1800s and early 1900s, this site is virtually inaccessible by wheeled vehicle. Surrounded by pristine BLM land and the nearby Arrastra Wilderness, you’ll find the ruins of stone and tin buildings, mine shafts, and machinery. The Santa Maria River, which flows year-round in this area, sparkles with silica and bits of what certainly looks like gold.
After a 30-minute flight to the site, your pilot will land right in the middle of the area so you can take your time, exploring on foot. Imagine how things were over a hundred years ago, when men worked the mine and lived in tents and primitive buildings there. Spend an hour or two hiking, exploring, gold panning, or just enjoying the sound of the river as it runs past.
Your pilot will set out a snack with some cold beverages for you when you want to take a rest. When you’re ready to leave, your pilot will lift off for an exciting ride up the canyon and back to civilization in Wickenburg.
Trip Price: $495 for up to 3 people (from Wickenburg; pricing from other airports available on request)
Trip Length: Approximately 3 hours (or longer, if you like); with 50-70 minutes of flight time.
Price Includes: Flight as described for up to three people, visitation fee payable to land owner, and refreshments for all passengers
Important Note: The Waters-Sunset Mill Site is on rough terrain. Passengers should wear good walking or hiking shoes, appropriate clothing, and sunscreen. Sandals are not recommended unless you plan to wade into the river. Temperatures at the site are generally 5 degrees warmer than in Wickenburg, so dress accordingly. This tour is not available from June 1 through September 30.
Customize Your Flight
Camp out for one or more nights. Two passenger maximum per flight so there’s room on board for camping equipment and supplies. Add $10 per person per night visitation fee plus $345 aircraft ferry fee.
Downtown Prescott
Visit the first territorial capital of Arizona!
Once the seat of Arizona’s government, Prescott is full of history. And with Flying M Air, it’s less than 30 minutes away. Depart Wickenburg and head due north, over the Weaver Mountains near Yarnell. We’ll fly near the towns of Peeples Valley, Kirkland Junction, Kirkland, and Skull Valley before crossing the northern end of the Bradshaw Mountains near Granite Mountain. The terrain will change from Sonoran desert at Wickenburg to high desert to tall pine forest.
On landing at Prescott Municipal Airport, a taxi will take you to downtown Prescott. Spend a few hours walking around the square surrounding the impressive Territorial Courthouse. There’s plenty of shopping and dining at the famous Whiskey Row. If it’s a weekend flight, there may be an art fair in the square. The Charlotte Hall Museum is just a short walk away on Gurley Street. Take a cab back to Prescott Airport where your pilot will be waiting for your return flight to Wickenburg. You’ll fly right over downtown Prescott, then follow the road out of town into the heart of the Bradshaw Mountains. Along the way, we’ll pick up the Hassayampa River near its source and follow it through the valley and canyons all the way to downtown Wickenburg.
Trip Price (per flight; up to 3 people):
From Wickenburg: $595
From Glendale, Phoenix (Deer Valley), or Scottsdale: $1,095
From Phoenix (Sky Harbor), Mesa, Chandler, Buckeye, or Avondale: $1,295
Trip Length:
4-5 hours; with 1 to 1-1/2 hours of flight time.
Price Includes:
Flight as described above for up to three people and ground transportation in Prescott. Price does not include lunch or museum admission.
Customize Your Flight
Instead of going downtown, have breakfast or lunch at the Prescott Airport Cafe. Deduct 2 hours and $50. Lunch is not included.
Henry Wickenburg’s Legacy
Henry Wickenburg, an Austrian immigrant, came to Arizona in the 1860s, looking for gold. He found it at the present-day site of Vulture Mine. The town that bears his name, Wickenburg, AZ, was founded in 1863 to support the area’s gold mining activities. Situated along the banks of the Hassayampa River, approximately 50 miles northwest of central Phoenix, the town has a rich western heritage that is still evident today.
Flying M Air is pleased to offer a day trip to Wickenburg from the Phoenix area. Start at a Valley airport (see list below) for a 20- to 40-minute flight across the outskirts of Phoenix to the Hassayampa River. As you follow the river upstream, you’ll learn about its underground flow and catch glimpses of where its waters rise to the surface. After a brief circuit of the town, you’ll head southwest for a landing at the historic Vulture City ghost town. Take up to 2 hours for a self-guided tour of the remaining structures and artifacts.
From there, its a short ride to Wickenburg Municipal Airport. Your pilot will provide transportation into town. You’ll start your visit with a trip to the excellent Desert Caballeros Western Museum, where you can take your time among the history, geology, and art exhibits. Afterwards, you’ll have up to 2 hours in town to have lunch, take the self-guided walking tour of historic buildings, and shop in the town’s gift shops and galleries.
When you’re ready to end your day in Wickenburg, your pilot will provide transportation back to Wickenburg Airport. Your return flight will tour some of the mine sites east of Wickenburg and overfly beautiful Lake Pleasant.
Trip Price (per flight for up to 3 people):
From Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix (Deer Valley), or Scottsdale: $995
From Phoenix (Sky Harbor), Mesa, Chandler: $1,195
Trip Length: 4-6 hours; with 1 to 2 hours of flight time (depending on starting point).
Price Includes: Flight as described above for up to three people, admission to Vulture Mine, admission to Desert Caballeros Western Museum, ground transportation in Wickenburg, light refreshments at Vulture Mine.
Important Note: This day trip requires extensive walking, some of which is on uneven terrain. Wear proper footwear and sunscreen. This trip is not intended for individuals who have difficulty walking or getting around.
Customize Your Flight
Here are some options for customizing your flight:
- Add a Phoenix tour. Expand your flight time in the Phoenix area with a complete circuit of the area. Add $250.
- Spend a night in Wickenburg! Stay at the Best Western Rancho Grande downtown, within walking distance of most shops and restaurants. Call for pricing and availability.
- Make it a dude ranch getaway! Stay at Rancho de los Caballeros, Wickenburg’s premier guest ranch. Enjoy golf, horseback riding, tennis, and a wide variety of other activities. Packages include all meals and most activities. Call for pricing and availability.
Download a PDF Info Sheet about this Day Trip
Other day trips that might interest you:
Swansea Town Site
Let us take you to a remote desert ghost town!
Swansea Town Site is three hours from Wickenburg by 4-wheel-drive vehicle, but only 40 minutes away by helicopter. We’ll fly west, over open desert, between the Harcuvar and Buckskin Mountains, crossing over only two paved roads in 50 miles. This is the area where Patton trained his tank crews for World War II and you might just see traces of their activity as we fly over the desert.
Just when you think you’re further from civilization than possible, we’ll descend on the remains of Swansea, a mining town that had its heyday in the early 20th century.
The town site, which is preserved and protected by the Bureau of Land Management, has many interesting ruins along its seven-stop walking tour.
While you’re taking in the sights, your pilot will set out some refreshments in the shade. Return when you’re ready and enjoy a snack.
The return to Wickenburg will be by way of the Bill Williams River, Alamo Dam, and Alamo Lake.
You can learn more about Swansea at the following Web sites:
Trip Price (per flight for up to 3 people):
From Wickenburg: $795
From Prescott, Glendale, Phoenix (Deer Valley), or Scottsdale: $1,195
From Phoenix (Sky Harbor), Mesa, Chandler, Buckeye, or Avondale: $1,395
Trip Length:
Approximately 4 hours; with 1-1/2 to 2 hours of flight time (depending on starting point).
Price includes:
Flight as described for up to three people, BLM permit fee, walking tour map, and refreshments for all passengers.
Important Note:
The walking tour includes moderate walking on varied terrain. Passengers should wear good walking or hiking shoes, appropriate clothing, and sunscreen. Sandals are not recommended. Temperatures at Swansea are generally the same as in Phoenix, so dress accordingly.
Customize Your Flight
Have lunch at the Wayside Inn on the way back. Add $50.
See a video for this day trip!
Our Video & Slide Shows video podcast includes images taken at Swansea Town Site during this day trip. You’ll need iTunes, QuickTime Player, or other compatible viewer software to watch it.
To automatically download all of our video podcasts as they are released, subscribe to the podcast.
Ghost Towns and Mines Day Trip
Combining the Best Ghost Town and Mine Destinations into One Day Trip!
Start at Wickenburg, Prescott, or any Phoenix-area airport and head west, over isolated Alamo Lake and the Bill Williams River to the Swansea Town Site, a remote ghost town at the base of a desert mountain range.
Take a self-guided tour among the ruins and read about how this town grew and then faded away to the ruins left behind. Flying M Air is the only helicopter charter company with a BLM permit to visit historic Swansea with passengers. Flying with us sure beats the three-hour drive from Wickenburg or four-hour drive from Phoenix!
The next stop is the famous Vulture Mine, founded by Henry Wickenburg in the 1860s. Now privately owned, this property features the ruins of the dozens of buildings that once made up Vulture City. Wander around the remains of this amazingly well-preserved ghost town and try to imagine thousands of people working in the hot desert sun to pull gold from the mine’s Glory Hole. Remember that it was this mine that led to the founding of Wickenburg and mining activity in the Wickenburg area that led to the founding of Phoenix all those years ago.
From there, we’ll overfly a number of nearby mining sites before heading back to our starting point. You’ll see more views of the desert that, like your trip, you’ll remember for a long, long time.
Trip Price (per flight for up to 3 people):
From Wickenburg: $895
From Prescott, Glendale, Phoenix (Deer Valley), or Scottsdale: $1,295
From Phoenix (Sky Harbor), Mesa, Chandler, Buckeye, or Avondale: $1,495
Trip Length: 4-6 hours; with 2-3 hours of flight time (depending on starting point). This is a full-day trip that departs between 9 AM and 10 AM and returns in the afternoon.
Price Includes: Flight as described above for up to three people, Swansea Townsite BLM use fee, Vulture Mine entry fee, snacks, and bottled water and Gatorade during the flights and on the ground.
Note: Be sure to wear good walking or hiking shoes. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Not recommended for people who have difficulty getting around; there is a lot of walking. This trip is only available October - May. Summer months are too hot!
Download a PDF Info Sheet about this Day Trip
Sedona Day Trip
Get to Sedona the fast and scenic way!
Our flight path takes us over beautiful and varied desert terrain that includes Sonoran desert, mountains, high desert, and canyons. Before landing at Sedona Airport, you’ll get a red rocks tour you won’t forget. Go down into town for shopping, dining, or other activities of your choice. We can even arrange for a Jeep tour for your party. Then return home on a slightly different route for another look at Arizona’s spectacular scenery.
Trip Price (per flight for up to 3 people):
From Wickenburg or Prescott: $995
From Glendale, Phoenix (Deer Valley), or Scottsdale: $1,195
From Phoenix (Sky Harbor), Mesa, Chandler, Buckeye, or Avondale: $1,395
Trip Length: 4-6 hours; with 2 hours of flight time.
Price Includes: Flight as described above for up to three people.
Customize Your Flight
Here are some options for customizing your flight:
- Have a picnic lunch at Slide Rock State Park. Flying M Air provides ground transportation, park entry fee, and box lunch. Add 2 hours time plus $75. Bring your bathing suit!
- Add a 2-1/2-hour Jeep Tour with Earth Wisdom Tours company. Add 3 hours time plus $75 per person. (Other tours with different pricing also available; call for details.)
Download a PDF Info Sheet about this Day Trip
Related Trips
You might also be interested in one of these multi-day excursions:
- Sedona Getaway - one- or two-night getaway
- Best of Arizona - three-day excursion
- Southwest Circle Helicopter Adventure - the ultimate 6-day excursion of the southwest
Grand Canyon Day Trip
Visit the Grand Canyon in style!
It’s a three-hour drive from Wickenburg and four hours from Phoenix by car but about an hour and a half by helicopter.
The Flight to the Grand Canyon
- From Wickenburg or Prescott, our 1 to 1-1/4 hour direct flight takes us over a wide variety of desert terrain with lots to see along the way.
- From the Phoenix area, we take a scenic route over Lake Pleasant and past the historic ghost town of Jerome. The flight takes approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the departure point.
At the Grand Canyon
At the Grand Canyon, we land at the airport and provide ground transportation and park entrance fees into the park where you’ll have up to 5 hours to walk along the rim, tour the historic buildings in Grand Canyon Village, visit shops, have lunch, take a short hike into the canyon, or ride the free park shuttle buses to other viewpoints or the visitor’s center. When you’re ready to leave, we provide transportation back to the airport.
The Return Flight
- Our flight back to Prescott is a direct flight that includes a quick tour of downtown Prescott before landing at the airport.The return flight is slightly longer for a total helicopter flight time of about 2 hours.
- Our flight back to Wickenburg overflies downtown Prescott, AZ and follows the Hassayampa River into town. The return flight is slightly longer for a total helicopter flight time of 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
- Our flight back to the Phoenix area takes a different route that includes a Sedona red rocks tour and Verde River overflight. The return flight is approximately the same length for a total helicopter flight time of 3 to 4 hours.
Pricing Information
Trip Price (per flight; up to 3 people; maximum total passenger weight 600 lbs):
- From Wickenburg or Prescott: $1,295
- From Glendale, Phoenix (Deer Valley), or Scottsdale: $1,695
- From Phoenix (Sky Harbor), Mesa, Chandler, Buckeye, or Avondale: $1,895
Trip Length: 6-8 hours; with 2 to 4 hours of flight time as described above.
Price Includes: Flight as described above for up to 3 people, airport landing fees, ground transporation into the park, park entry fee. Price does not include overflight of canyon, which is highly regulated and restricted to Canyon tour operators.
Add a Grand Canyon Overflight
Add a scenic flight over the canyon with Maverick Helicopters, one of the Grand Canyon’s three authorized helicopter tour companies.
- Canyon Dancer Tour - 25 minutes - Add $175 per person
- Canyon Spirit Tour - 50 minutes - Add $235 per person
Advance reservations are required.
Download a PDF Info Sheet about this Day Trip
Related Trips
You might also be interested in one of these multi-day excursions:
- Grand Canyon Getaway - one- or two-night getaway
- Arizona Red Rocks Excursion - three-day excursion
- Southwest Circle Helicopter Adventure - the ultimate 6-day excursion of the southwest
Meteor Crater/La Posada
See one of Arizona’s natural wonders!
Meteor Crater was formed by a meteor impact 20,000 years ago and remains one of Arizona’s most fascinating natural wonders. Take a scenic flight to Meteor Crater, located between Flagstaff and Winslow south of I-40. We’ll fly over desert and mountains before starting across what appears to be barren high desert plateau. Meteor Crater will appear suddenly as a giant hole in the earth. We’ll circle the crater once for a good look, then continue east to Winslow, AZ on historic Route 66.
After landing at the airport, we’ll go to historic La Posada Hotel on Route 66 for an excellent lunch and a relaxing walk around the grounds. When you’re ready to depart, we’ll head back to Wickenburg, with a scenic flight over Oak Creek Canyon and past the red rocks of Sedona.
Trip Price (per flight; up to 3 people):
From Wickenburg: $1,395
From Glendale, Phoenix (Deer Valley), or Scottsdale: $1,595
From Phoenix (Sky Harbor), Mesa, Chandler, Buckeye, or Avondale: $1,795
Trip Length: 5 hours; with 2-1/2 to 3 hours of flight time
Price Includes: Flight as described above for up to three people, ground transportation in Winslow, lunch. Alcoholic beverages not included.
Customize Your Flight
Spend the night at La Posada. Let us book a room in this newly restored hotel for you. You’ll enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the public spaces and gardens. Depart Winslow by noon. Add $300.
Download a PDF Info Sheet about this Day Trip
