Balloon rides · SUNRISE BALLOON FLIGHTS IN THE USA
One morning of a trip buys one flight, so it is worth spending it well. These 15 sunrise balloon flights in the USA are compared on price, basket size and what happens after the landing, from a certificate and a glass to a full breakfast.
Meet Rainbow Ryders before dawn for a shared hot-air balloon flight above Albuquerque. Your pilot, such as Alfred, Brad, Anthony, Kris, or Troy, guides you over the Rio Grande Valley, explains the terrain and ballooning, and finishes with sparkling wine, snacks, and a flight certificate.
“Wear warm clothing gloves and a hat, you will be high up in the sky. Experienced pilot and a great crew”
Meet Rainbow Ryders in Glendale before dawn, then ride with a pilot such as Kyle, CJ, Jon T, or Jesse N. to a wind-selected launch site. Expect a shared basket flight over the Sonoran Desert, live commentary, optional balloon inflation help, snacks, and a Champagne toast after landing.
“It’s was a beautiful scenic ride! Kyle was an amazing host. It was a smooth take off and landing! 10/10”
Meet at 5:15 a.m. for a California Dreamin’ balloon flight over Temecula Wine Country. Your FAA-licensed pilot, possibly pilots such as Josh, Dylan, Dave, or Dillon, guides a one-hour ride above vineyards and citrus groves, followed by champagne or cider and a two-for-one Vindemia wine tasting.
“Everything was well organised. Timing was perfect. Our pilot was so charming. I had a great experience”
Meet before dawn in north Phoenix for a roughly four-hour balloon outing over the Sonoran Desert. Your pilot may include Shane, Matthew, or Michelle among the crew, with views of McDowell Regional Park and Camelback Mountain, desert commentary, bottled water, and a postflight champagne toast.
“Well worth it Customer service was amazing My favorite part was landing We went just enough to where I wasn't afraid”
Meet at Europa Village before sunrise for a shared 60 to 75 minute balloon flight over Temecula Valley. Pilots such as Bill, Rusty, Pete, and Will provide lively commentary, followed by a champagne toast, wine discounts, and a flight certificate.
“Amazing experience! Appreciated starting and ending at Europa. It felt like a treat within a treat. Bill, Martine and Wesly were great. 10/10 would recommend.”
Meet Four Corners Balloon Rides at Paradise Hills Shopping Center for an early morning flight above Albuquerque. Pilot Daniel and his crew provide a small-group ride for up to 12 people, with views of the Sandia Mountains, Rio Grande, and desert scenery, followed by light snacks and bubbly.
“It’s really worth it😊 the people are so kind and they are friendly and the ride was so good better than other riders”
Rise before dawn for a roughly three-hour Rainbow Ryders flight over Colorado Springs. Meet at Hurts Donut Company, ride to the launch site, and look for Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the Rockies from a basket holding no more than six people. Pilots such as Jon, Jesse, Troy, and Patrick lead the flights.
“We scheduled our trip as a first time adventure, unfortunately the trip was cancelled due to inclement weather. However Greg was our guide and explained the reason for the cancellation. He was pleasant and well explained our safety was priority. He did offer next day balloon ride, unfortunately we weren’t able to sign up. I would recommend him if we were to visit Colorado Springs again.”
Meet outside the Mangy Moose in Teton Village before sunrise, then fly for about an hour with up to 16 passengers. Your pilot may point out elk, moose, waterfowl, and raptors below as the sun reaches the Tetons. Andy, Lisa, and Richard are among the named pilots praised for clear, lively commentary.
“The experience was good and very peaceful. However we stayed pretty much over one field and didn’t go over the snake River or over the mountains as expected. Overall, it was a good trip and the staff was very professional and very experienced. If this is your first ballon ride, I definitely recommend”
Rise before dawn for a roughly one-hour balloon flight over the Colorado Springs area with Adventures Out West. You may spot wildlife, watch the Rockies brighten, and land in time for a light breakfast, champagne toast, and flight certificate. Pilots such as Greg and Terry have earned warm praise for calm, clear guidance.
“This was an amazing experience! Our pilot Greg went way above and beyond to make every moment memorable!! This is a bucket list experience- don’t miss it!!! This was the highlight of our trip to Colorado Springs!”
Meet Rainbow Ryders at Hurts Donut before sunrise, then ride in a small group of up to six people above Colorado Springs. Your FAA-certified pilot, including Jon or Morgan on some flights, points out Pike’s Peak, Garden of the Gods, and nearby birds before a champagne toast and flight certificate.
“My family enjoyed this event, the employees were friendly and fun. We look forward to trying other things like this”
Join Black Hills Balloons for a one-hour sunrise flight above the southern Black Hills and Custer State Park. Pilots such as Mike and Damien share local points of interest while you look for bison, elk, deer, lakes, and rock formations. The three-hour outing ends with champagne, snacks, and a flight certificate.
“Would recommend Damien and crew of Black Hills Balloons to everyone. Fun, exciting, informative, chance of a lifetime.”
Meet the Firebird Balloons crew near Dunkin, watch the balloon inflate, then rise over the Sonoran Desert with no more than six people in the basket. The 210-minute outing includes setup, flight, landing, and pack-up, but the actual time in the air may be about 30 to 50 minutes.
“We have always wanted to do a hot air balloon ride, and now we have. We enjoyed the company of our guide and felt safe with the hot air balloon team. I wish the sights were a bit more scenic, but that is just the area. I also wished we would have been up for a few more minutes (I think we were in the air for only about 30 minutes), but maybe that is just standard? Regardless, we enjoyed this experience with this guide and would recommend.”
Meet at the Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport before dawn, then watch the balloon inflate before a calm, hour-long flight over Colorado’s plains and mountain ranges. Captain T-Dog has earned praise for his calm guidance. Finish with fruit, pastries, orange juice, champagne, and a flight certificate.
“My husband and I had a wonderful time celebrating our 27th anniversary up high in a hot air balloon ride. The whole team was super kind and knowledgeable. We would definitely do this again”
Meet Seattle Ballooning before dawn for a 150-minute hot air balloon flight over farmland, lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound. At 3,000 to 5,000 feet, you may see Mt. Rainier and Mt. Saint Helens. The small group is limited to 10, with an English-speaking guide, water, a ballooning history lesson, and champagne after landing.
“This hot air balloon ride was INCREDIBLE. I'd never been for a hot air balloon ride before, and it's a completely serene flying experience. The sunrise was beautiful and the whole team running the tour was welcoming, friendly, and festive - they clearly really enjoy what they do. The pilot was very good and made me feel safe, while giving us plenty of opportunity for fun and excitement. As a single woman, I was a bit nervous about meeting a bunch of strangers in a casino carpark at 4.45am for the pickup - but the area is very well lit, the staff at the casino are friendly, and I felt…”
Meet your English-speaking pilot and crew at Bolero at Europa Village before a shared 60 to 75 minute balloon flight over Temecula Valley. Expect sunrise mountain views, vineyards, lakes, citrus groves, champagne, and a winery celebration afterward. Groups hold 8 to 16 passengers.
“These guys were legit! They knew exactly what they were doing and I knew I was in good hands! If you are considering this adventure I highly recommend you do it! I love being in the air this way and will treasure this memory!”
Pick a valley, a river or a desert.
