Palm Springs Helicopter Tours
  1. Palm Springs Helicopter Tours
  2. Experiences
  3. Desert Rider

All flights depart from Atlantic Aviation at PSP, our operational hub

Golden light across a boulder-strewn desert hillside
Desert Rider

Desert Rider

Our most popular flight

Most popular

$749 per guest

Two-guest minimum. The third seat is open to other guests unless you make it private.

Your party
2

$1,498 for 2 guests

Each helicopter seats three guests.

Make it private

The whole helicopter for your group, third seat 25% off. From $2,059

Book now
  • 45 minutes in the air
  • Check in 30 minutes early at Atlantic Aviation FBO
  • Upgrade at checkout: 60 minutes, +$250 per guest

Route

  • Pioneertown rocks
  • San Gorgonio
  • Morongo Valley
  • San Jacinto Mountains

Duration

Flight
45 minutes
Check in
30 minutes early, Atlantic Aviation FBO
Minimum
2 guests
Landing
None. A continuous flight from PSP and back.

Departure point

Atlantic Aviation at PSP
145 N Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Our operational hub is the Atlantic Aviation terminal at Palm Springs International Airport, minutes from downtown Palm Springs and easy to reach from anywhere in the valley.

Open in Google Maps

Desert Rider

Pioneertown's boulder fields, the San Gorgonio Pass, Morongo Valley and the San Jacinto Mountains.

View flight route

the route

Flight route

The planned route. Press play to fly the route, or pick any waypoint to see what is below.

Palm SpringsPalm DesertIndioLa QuintaDesert Hot SpringsYucca ValleyJoshua TreeLandersCoachellaJoshua Tree National ParkMt. San JacintoCoachella ValleyMorongo BasinSan Bernardino MtnsSanta Rosa MountainsN HAtlantic Aviation at PSPDepart & returnPioneertown rocksMorongo ValleyWindmillsSan Jacinto Mountains © OpenStreetMap

Select a waypoint

A dense hillside of granite boulders

Stop 1 of 4

Pioneertown Mountains Preserve

Boulder country above Pioneertown

Boulder-strewn high country in the hills above Pioneertown: piled granite, pinyon and juniper that few people ever see from the ground.

A protected preserve run by The Wildlands Conservancy.

For your safety, flight routes may change with weather, air traffic and other conditions on the day.

Experience the Desert Rider

Pioneertown rocks · San Gorgonio · Morongo Valley · San Jacinto Mountains.

A stacked granite outcrop above desert scrub under a big sky

On this flight

What you'll fly over

The desert this flight covers, from the ground.

  • A road running straight across the desert toward the mountains
  • A storm cloud lit orange above a desert road
  • A narrow passage between giant boulders

Frequently asked questions

01Where does the Desert Rider depart from?

From Atlantic Aviation FBO at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), 145 N Gene Autry Trail, minutes from downtown Palm Springs. Please check in 30 minutes early.

02How long is it?

45 minutes in the air. Please check in 30 minutes before your flight at Atlantic Aviation FBO, Palm Springs International. You can upgrade to the Desert Rider Grand at checkout for +$250 per guest.

03What does it cost?

$749 per guest, with a two-guest minimum, so the smallest booking is $1,498. The third seat is open to other guests unless you make it private: the whole helicopter for your group, with the third seat 25% off, from $2,059.

04Does it land anywhere?

No. It is a continuous flight from Palm Springs and back.

05What should I bring?

Sunglasses and a phone or camera. In the cooler months, a light layer. Leave large bags behind; there is very little room in the cabin.

06Will the route always be the same?

Routes are planned around these sights, but your pilot may adjust for weather, air traffic or other conditions on the day.

See all FAQs

Before you book

Cancellations
You can cancel up to 24 hours before your flight. Cancellations within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable.
Weather
We fly in good visibility only. If we cancel for weather, you get a full refund or a new date.
Children
No minimum age. Guests two and older need a ticket; under twos fly free on a lap.
Weight
299 lb per passenger, including everything you bring aboard. We ask each passenger's weight when you book.

Book your flight

Book online

Pick a date and time

Choose your flight time and pay securely in our booking system. You'll get a confirmation email as soon as you check out.

Check dates & book

Prefer to talk it through? Call (760) 528-8676.

  • Two to three guests per helicopter
  • Children under two fly free on a lap
  • We'll ask each passenger's weight (299 lb limit)

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