Last Updated on September 2, 2024
Every year, an estimated six million people troop to the Grand Canyon to marvel at the landscape’s surreal beauty. That makes it the second-most visited national park in the United States, coming only behind the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. The majestic Grand Canyon offers views so impressive that many first-time visitors are always yearning for a second treat.
But what is it about this landscape that makes it such a top bucketlist destination?
That question shall be the focus of this post. We’ve prepared fantastic facts about the Grand Canyon to make you want to visit the site. The list ranges from fairly common to downright astounding Grand Canyon facts.
Grand Canyon Location and Size
1. The Grand Canyon is found in the state of Arizona, United States. The extensive canyon lies in the northwest corner of Arizona, near the state’s borders with Nevada and Utah.
2. In terms of coordinates, the Grand Canyon is situated within 36°18? North 112°36? West.
3. Tusayan is the nearest town to the Grand Canyon Village. Other towns located within various areas of the Grand Canyon include Sedona, Seligman, Marble Canyon, Peach Springs, Fredonia, Meadview, and Jacob Lake.
4. The Grand Canyon measures 277 miles (446 km) long and 4 to 18 miles (6.4 to 29.0 km) wide.
5. The Grand Canyon has an estimated surface area of 1,901 square miles (sq mi) or 4926 square kilometers (sq km).
6. Comparatively, the Grand Canyon is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island has a surface area of around 1,212 square miles compared to the Grand Canyon’s 1,901 square miles.
7. The Grand Canyon has a floor elevation of 2,600 feet (800 m).
Grand Canyon Origin and History
8. The Grand Canyon is over six million years old. However, that means the landscape was non-existent during the age of the dinosaurs, considering that the last dinosaurs roamed the planet some 65 million years ago.
9. The Grand Canyon is a product of massive erosion. The site was formed as a result of geological activity and soil erosion triggered by the Colorado River.
10. While the Grand Canyon has been around for millions of years, archaeological findings indicate that the first human activity around the area took place some 10,500 years ago.
11. Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the Grand Canyon. Their population also spread through what’s present-day Grand Canyon National Park.
12. The Grand Canyon was inhabited by many indigenous communities at different times in history. Notable ones include the Ancestral Puebloans (also known as the Anasazi), the Cochimi, Paiute, Cerbat, and the Navajo.
13. The original Grand Canyon inhabitants were predominantly hunters and gatherers. Extremely arid conditions likely drove them out of the area.
14. Spanish Captain García López de Cárdenas and his group of about 13 soldiers were the first non-Native Americans to discover the Grand Canyon. The captain was acting under the direction of renowned conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado to find the mythical Seven Cities of Gold.
15. United States Army Major John Wesley Powell led The Powell Geographic Expedition of 1869 through the canyon of the Colorado River. This expedition became the first in a series of geological studies of the Grand Canyon.
16. Before it became the famous tourist site it is today, the Grand Canyon was mostly a beehive of mining activities. Copper and asbestos were the top mineral resources in the vast canyon.
17. The Grand Canyon Railway was formally launched 1901, opening up the site for more potential tourists.
18. The Grand Canyon was first afforded federal protection as a forest reserve in 1893. It was later identified as a U.S. National Monument, eventually attaining U.S. National Park status in 1919.
19. The Grand Canyon was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
20. On February 26, 2019, the Grand Canyon celebrated its 100th anniversary. The much-publicized celebrations renewed interest in the canyon and saw thousands troop to it.
Grand Canyon Etymology
21. The name ‘Grand Canyon’ was coined and popularized by Major John Wesley Powell following his 1869 exploration of the vast landscape.
22. Before it came to be known as the Grand Canyon, the site was informally called ‘the Great Canyon’ or ‘the Big Canyon’ by its early visitors.
Grand Canyon Geography
23. The Grand Canyon’s general geographical outlook resembles that of a typical canyon. A canyon is essentially a deep, narrow valley bounded by steep sides.
24. The Grand Canyon itself lies on the Colorado Plateau. The plateau has sections in all four corner states of the United States – Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.
25. The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon. The river originates in the Rocky Mountain region and drains in the Gulf of California.
26. About one-fifth of the Colorado River meanders through the Grand Canyon National Park. The river has a total length of 1,450 miles (2,334 km), 277 miles (446 km) of which flows through the extensive park.
27. The section of the Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon averages 300 feet (91 meters) across and 40 feet (12 meters) wide.
28. However, certain sections of the Colorado River that flow through the Grand Canyon have pools that can reach depths of up to 110 feet (34 meters).
29. The Colorado River typically has a flow rate of 12,000 to 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). However, the flow rate can increase dramatically during a flood, sometimes hitting 300,000 cfs.
30. The Grand Canyon displays a geographical phenomenon called the Great Unconformity, which describes the fact that 250-million-year-old rocks lie directly against 1.2 billion-year-old rocks. Scientists have been scratching their heads for years trying to make sense of the missing layers of rocks.
Grand Canyon Attractions
31. The Grand Canyon’s greatest attraction is its layered bands of red rock. The red color is due to the high concentration of the mineral iron.
32. Although predominantly appearing in red, the Grand Canyon rocks may also look reddish-brown, yellow, and even green. The landscape’s appearance depends primarily on the prevalent weather, time of day, and observation point.
33. The Colorado River is the second-biggest natural attraction of the Grand Canyon.
34. The Grand Canyon and its immediate surroundings (which also include the Grand Canyon National Park) is rich in animal diversity. Common inhabitants include the desert bighorn sheep, mountain lions, mule deer, gray fox, coyotes, and numerous bird, reptile, and rodent species.
35. The Grand Canyon Pink Rattlesnake is only found within the Grand Canyon National Park. The snake’s pink color allows it to blend seamlessly into the canyon’s colorful rocks.
36. Over 440 different bird species call the Grand Canyon home. Raptors like eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, ospreys, owls, and condors especially rule the canyon’s sky.
37. While the Grand Canyon is home to mountain lions, foxes, and coyotes, the most dangerous animal in the Grand Canyon National Park is the rock squirrel. This animal bites thousands of canyon visitors annually. However, these bites are largely avoidable as they tend to occur when visitors try to feed the squirrels.
38. The Grand Canyon also boasts massive plant biodiversity. Common plant species that thrive in the expansive landscape include the Colorado pinyon, Arizona walnut, Gambel oak, coyote willow, seep willow, alligator juniper, arrowweed, catclaw acacia, and corkbark fir, to mention but a few.
39. The Grand Canyon offers limitless camping opportunities. Tuweep Campground and North Rim of Grand Canyon are some of the top campgrounds in the park.
40. Cavers will also find a Grand Canyon trip an experience to relish forever. There are over 300 caves spread throughout the canyon. However, the Cave of the Domes located on Horseshoe Mesa is the Grand Canyon’s most popular cave and the only cave you can legally visit without a special permit.
41. Although the Grand Canyon boasts scores of trails, the Bright Angel Trail is the most popular one. The long and winding trail offers picturesque views of the rolling landscapes. It’s also beloved for its shades as well as water and bathroom services, most of which are located at an average of 1.5 miles apart.
42. Bikers aren’t left behind either. The Hermit Road Greenway Trail located between Monument Creek Vista and Hermits Rest is the best trail for Grand Canyon bikers. The 2.8-mile (4.5 km) trail is also the most convenient way for wheelchair visitors to explore the canyon.
43. Rafting is a common activity in the Grand Canyon too. Expectedly, much of the rafting takes place along the Colorado River.
44. It’s possible to explore the Grand Canyon from above. Although relatively costly, hot air balloon or helicopter rides offer the most beautiful and extensive views of the majestic canyon.
45. However, you can also have an aerial tour of the Grand Canyon without leaving the ground. That’s all thanks to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge with glass door and walkway located at Grand Canyon West.
46. Mule trips have been a popular Grand Canyon attraction for years. Although a risky quest, Grand Canyon mule rides are worth every penny, especially for those who wish to relive the canyon’s history.
47. Sunsets are also idyllic experiences in the Grand Canyon. Mohave and Pima Points are excellent places to marvel at the beauty of the sun dipping into the horizon.
Grand Canyon Climate
48. The Grand Canyon experiences all four seasons – summer, winter, spring, and fall/autumn. Expectedly, the summers are warm, dry, and mostly clear while the winters are freezing, snowy, and usually cloudy.
49. The Grand Canyon can get excruciatingly hot during the summers. The hottest temperature ever recorded at the canyon was 120 ºF/47 ºC at Phantom Ranch.
50. Winters can be unbearably cold in the Grand Canyon too. Temperatures are known to dip to subzero degrees, with the coldest temperature ever recorded being –22 °F on the North Rim.
51. But while the Grand Canyon can experience the extremes, the temperature typically varies from 16°F to 84°F throughout the year. Rarely does the canyon experience temperatures below 2°F or above 91°F.
52. The climate at the Grand Canyon varies considerably at various elevations. Some points can be several degrees colder or hotter. Ideally, the higher you get, the cooler it becomes.
53. Flash floods are common in the Grand Canyon, especially during the rainy seasons. The Colorado River is also known to burst its banks, flooding the adjacent stretch of the canyon.
54. The air at the Grand Canyon is among the cleanest on earth.
Grand Canyon Accessibility and Ideal Visiting Times
55. The Grand Canyon is accessible by rail, road, and air.
56. The Grand Canyon Railway is the first and only railway system to the Grand Canyon. The historic train departs from Williams, Arizona and travels to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, an estimated distance of 65 miles.
57. Various historical figures have ridden the Grand Canyon Railway. Examples include Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Muir, and William Howard Taft.
58. Driving to the Grand Canyon offers the ultimate road trip. Most tourists prefer roads that access the canyon via its South or West Rim.
59. Flagstaff/Pulliam is the nearest airport to the Grand Canyon. The airport is located some 62 miles/100 kilometers from the canyon.
60. Spring (March-May) is the ideal time to visit the Grand Canyon. That’s because the daytime temperatures tend to be moderate around this time. There’s also less crowding during the shoulder seasons.
Other Fun Grand Canyon Facts
61. The Grand Canyon has religious significance to the Hopi Tribe. The tribe considers this canyon a gateway to the afterlife.
62. Despite being the world’s most famous, the Grand Canyon isn’t the world’s deepest canyon. The Gandaki Gorge in Nepal and the Cotahuasi Canyon in Peru are considerably deeper than the Grand Canyon.
63. Supai Village is a census-designated village at the heart of the Grand Canyon. It’s considered the most remote location in the continental United States.
Summary
In spite of its charm and attraction, the Grand Canyon poses grave safety concerns. Scores of people have died by falling into the canyon. Others have succumbed to the searing heat and dehydration that’s the hallmark of this extensive landscape.
Therefore, it’s imperative to take all the precautionary measures while planning a trip to the Grand Canyon.
At the very least, consider a group tour as opposed to a solo trip. It would also be best to insist on guided tours to minimize the risks of getting trapped in some of the canyon’s perilous trails.