One mile deep. Ten miles wide. One hundred and sixty miles long. Covering 1.2 million acres in northern Arizona, Grand Canyon is a breathtaking act of geology. Teddy Roosevelt called it "the one great sight every American should see." The panorama from the rim is one of the most impressive sights in the world, but Grand Canyon is much more than just a pretty view. Hidden within its depths are fascinating creatures, geologic marvels, the ruins of an ancient civilization, and some of the best outdoor adventures in North America.
Cut by the Colorado River over the past 5 million years, Grand Canyon is a colossal labyrinth of towering buttes and deep side canyons. Although massive, most visitors head to one of two developed areas: the South Rim or the North Rim. The South Rim, located two hours north of Phoenix, is by far the more accessible and popular of the two. Home to six of the park's eight lodges, it's what most people think of when they think of Grand Canyon. The remote North Rim, meanwhile, is located just south of the Arizona/Utah border—one of the least densely populated places in America. Its distant location means fewer crowds, but with equally stunning views.
Hiking trails descend from both rims to the bottom of the Canyon. Along the way the trails pass though 11 layers of ancient rocks, ranging in age from 250 million to 2 billion years old—nearly half the age of the earth! At the bottom of the Canyon, near the junction of three popular trails, lies Phantom Ranch, an overnight lodge offering comfortable beds and home-cooked meals. Guided mule rides are also offered on the trails, with both day and overnight trips available.
Twisting along the bottom of the Canyon is the Colorado River. Fed by Rocky Mountain snowmelt and passing through three of America's four great deserts, the Colorado is the grandest river in the West. Although currently plugged by dams along much of its length, the Colorado flows free in Grand Canyon, dropping 2,000 feet in 277 miles. Each year, 20,000 people embark on guided river trips through Grand Canyon—a number strictly limited by the park to preserve the pristine landscape. In addition to thrilling rapids (60 total), river trips provide access to spectacular hiking trails, stunning archaeological ruins, and hidden waterfalls. Without question, a river trip through Grand Canyon is one of the most incredible outdoor adventures on the planet.
Two thousand years ago, Anasazi Indians lived in and around Grand Canyon, flourishing for nearly 1,200 years before mysteriously vanishing. Modern tribes including the Hopi and Navajo later took up residence nearby. In 1540 a Spanish expedition from Mexico stumbled upon the Grand Canyon, making them the first whites to set eyes on the Canyon. But it wasn't until 1869 that John Wesley Powell led the first river expedition through Grand Canyon—a historic achievement that made international headlines at the time. By the early 1900s Grand Canyon had become a major tourist destination. Today it lures roughly 4 million visitors each year.
