Grand Canyon, AZ

America’s Natural Treasure

Over millions of years, the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon, one of the most extraordinary natural wonders of the world. The Grand Canyon extends for 277 miles and its rim spans from just ¼ mile to more than 18-miles wide. Its elevation ranges from nearly 2,000 feet and rises to over almost 7,000 feet. Set in the Arizona Desert, the Grand Canyon and the land surrounding is influenced by the Mojave Desert on its western end and the Sonoran Desert at its eastern end. The canyon gives visitors a view into the geological history of the land, built over millennia to create a place that is nearly impossible to accurately describe. And being such an extreme landscape gives the Grand Canyon varying temperatures and conditions where it may be snowing at the north rim while at the same time, hot and dry down at the Colorado River.

There are many ways to visit the Grand Canyon, and the area is full of expert outfitters. Because of the rugged and challenging terrain, guided trips in, around and through the canyon are recommended for all but the most experienced hikers. For those wishing to kick back and take in the scenery in a less-challenging fashion, sitting on the back of a mule while you traverse the canyon walls is a unique and very fun way to take it all in. To get above it all, airplane and helicopter flightseeing tours are available that let guests see the Grand Canyon from above, providing an experience than cannot be had any other way. Seeing the canyon from the Colorado River is on a guided whitewater rafting trip lets guests experience it from an exciting and unique perspective. And while it is not the biggest or deepest in the world, it is certainly the grandest and one that can’t be missed.