Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon: history

The Colorado River cut the Grand Canyon over about five to six million years. The rocks at the bottom are nearly two billion years old. The canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep.

Native peoples, including the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi and Navajo, have lived here for centuries. John Wesley Powell led the first boat expedition through it in 1869. It became a national park in 1919 and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

The Grand Canyon: tourist attractions

• Mather Point & Yavapai PointThe first great views of the South Rim, and a small geology museum.
• Desert View DriveViewpoints along the rim, ending at the 1932 Watchtower.
• Hermit RoadA shuttle bus to more viewpoints. Hopi Point is the best for sunset.
• Bright Angel TrailWalk a short way down into the canyon. The climb back is steep.
• Rim TrailA flat, paved walk between the viewpoints.
• Helicopter flightOver the widest and deepest part of the canyon.
• Grand Canyon SkywalkA glass bridge at Grand Canyon West, on Hualapai land. Cameras and phones are not allowed on it.

The Grand Canyon: excursions nearby

• Williams about 60 milesA Route 66 town and the Grand Canyon Railway.
• Sedona about 115 milesRed rock country.
• Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon about 135 milesA famous river bend, and a narrow canyon seen with a Navajo guide.
• Monument Valley about 180 milesThe sandstone towers of the old Western films.
• Hoover Dam on the road from Las VegasA natural stop on the way.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.