Naturally amazing
Nothing can prepare you for the sight of the Grand Canyon – an immense gorge 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) deep and up to 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide. It’s so massive that wherever you stand to look into it, you’ll only see a fraction of the 277-mile (446-kilometer) length.
Where to get the best views
Why not join the 5 million or so people who look over its dramatic rim every year. Most of them do so from the South Rim, which provides the best views into the deep inner gorge of the Colorado River. Experience this for yourself with a Grand Canyon day trip to either the South or West rim.
What made the Grand Canyon?
Although no one knows exactly how the Colorado river formed the Grand Canyon, one thing most geologists agree on is that it has only cut the majority of this magnificent ravine within the last 5 to 6 million years. In the geological history of the Grand Canyon this is considered to be very recent, as there are rocks at the bottom of the Canyon that date back 1.8 billion years. You can even enter the depths of the Grand Canyon by Helicopter for a once in a lifetime experience.
The air around the Grand Canyon is some of the nation's cleanest. This means that on a clear day you can see a distance of between 90 and 110 miles (145 – 177 kilometers). Better take your binoculars.
Other interesting facts about the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas
- Many people consider the Grand Canyon to be one of the 7 wonders of the natural world
- Although magnificent, it cannot lay claim to being the widest, longest nor deepest canyon in the world
- John Wesley Powell led the first expedition down the Grand Canyon in 1869
- Ruins and artifacts from inhabitants dating back nearly 12,000 years have been found within the Grand Canyon
- Hiking here can be hard work, which is why many people choose to ride the famous Grand Canyon mules down to the bottom
