The Grand Canyon is a popular tourist spot and a geological wonder. Its sheer size and the history behind it make it a fascinating feature of our great country. Even if you can’t take your students there on a field trip, learning about the Grand Canyon is a wonderful way to learn about geology, anthropology, and general geography. Check out our list of 46 incredible facts to pique your students’ interest in this natural phenomenon!
1. Formation of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River over a period of six million years. The river cut through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted by geological forces. This process created one of the most well-known examples of erosion in the world.
Learn More: National Park Service
2. Size of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is approximately 277 miles (446 kilometers) long, up to 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide, and over a mile (1,600 meters) deep. This vast size makes it a significant geological feature that can be seen from space. The scale of the Grand Canyon allows it to encompass several distinct ecosystems.
Learn More: A-Z Animals
3. Age of the Grand Canyon Rocks
The oldest rocks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, known as the Vishnu Basement Rocks, are estimated to be up to 1.8 billion years old. They provide important geological information about the early history of the North American continent.
Learn More: Grand Canyon Natural History
4. Human History of the Grand Canyon
Evidence of human occupation in the Grand Canyon dates back nearly 12,000 years. The area has been inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Pueblo people, who considered it a holy site. Today, the Grand Canyon is still considered a sacred place by the Havasupai and Hualapai tribes who live in the area.
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5. Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919 and is one of the oldest national parks in the United States. It receives approximately five million visitors annually. The park’s vast natural resources and scenic beauty make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Learn More: The Greatest American Road Trip
6. Discovery by Europeans
The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was the Spanish explorer García López de Cárdenas in 1540. He was part of an expedition led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado looking for the Seven Cities of Gold. However, the group did not explore the canyon further due to its size and complexity.
Learn More: Wikipedia
7. John Wesley Powell’s Expedition
In 1869, John Wesley Powell led the first recorded journey through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran, and his team navigated the treacherous whitewater rapids in wooden boats. This daring expedition brought back valuable information and increased public interest in the region.
Learn More: Free Range American
8. Unique Biodiversity
The Grand Canyon is home to over 1,700 plant, 450 bird, 91 mammalian, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, and 18 fish species. This biodiversity is due to the wide range of elevations and the variety of habitats found within the park. The canyon’s isolated waterways have also led to the evolution of species that are endemic to the region.
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9. The Great Unconformity
At the Grand Canyon, there is a significant geological feature known as the Great Unconformity. This is where younger rock layers rest directly upon much older rock layers with a significant time gap between them, whether because the layers eroded or were never deposited there in the first place. This gap in the geological record can be up to 1.2 billion years in some places. Many scientists have hypotheses for why this exists, but there is no clear consensus.
Learn More: IUGS
10. Skywalk Attraction
The Grand Canyon Skywalk, opened in 2007, is a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 70 feet out over the canyon rim. This attraction allows visitors to walk above the canyon and view the floor a mile below. The Skywalk is located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation and offers a unique perspective of the canyon.
Learn More: Grand Canyon West
11. Havasu Falls
Havasu Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Grand Canyon, known for its vivid blue-green water. The falls are located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation and require a permit and a hike to reach. The unique color of the water is due to the high levels of calcium carbonate.
Learn More: Buck Wild Hummer Tours
12. The Canyon’s Microclimates
The Grand Canyon contains several microclimates within its depths, with the bottom of the canyon being much warmer than the rim. Temperatures usually vary by an average of 20 degrees Fahrenheit between the top and the bottom. This creates a range of environments from desert to forest.
Learn More: Grand Canyon Lodges
13. Kaibab Limestone
The topmost layer of rock at the Grand Canyon is the Kaibab Limestone, which is about 270 million years old. It was formed from an ancient sea bed and is an important water source for the canyon, as it allows water to percolate through it. The presence of fossils within this layer tells a story of life before the dinosaurs.
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14. The Colorado River’s Erosive Power
The Colorado River, which carved the Grand Canyon, carries an average of 500,000 tons of sediment out of the canyon every day. This erosive force is what has shaped the canyon over millions of years. The river’s course has changed multiple times throughout its history.
Learn More: Knowable Magazine
15. Phantom Ranch
Phantom Ranch is the only lodging facility below the rim of the Grand Canyon. It is accessible only by foot, mule, or by rafting down the Colorado River. The ranch was designed by architect Mary Colter and has been operating since 1922.
Learn More: National Park Service
16. Grand Canyon Caverns
The Grand Canyon Caverns, located about 60 miles west of the National Park, are the largest dry caverns in the United States. These caverns are at least 65 million years old and are located 210 feet below ground. They are accessible to visitors via an elevator.
Learn More: Grand Canyon
17. Pueblo Ancestral Sites
Within Grand Canyon National Park, there are over 4,800 archaeological sites, likely with many more undiscovered. These sites include ancient Puebloan granaries, dwellings, and artefacts. The oldest human artefacts found in the area are about 12,000 years old.
Learn More: Wonderopolis
18. El Tovar Hotel
The historic El Tovar Hotel, which opened in 1905, is located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was designed to be a luxury hotel for visitors arriving by train. The hotel has hosted numerous famous guests, including U.S. presidents and foreign dignitaries.
Learn More: Historic Hotels of America
19. California Condors at the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the best places to see the endangered California condor. A successful captive breeding program has helped reintroduce these birds to the wild. Condors were reintroduced to the canyon in 1996 and can often be seen soaring on the thermals.
Learn More: Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
20. The Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway has been taking passengers from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon since 1901. The historic train offers a scenic and historic journey, which was instrumental in the development of enhancing tourism in the area.
Learn More: Williams, Arizona
21. North Rim vs. South Rim
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most accessible and therefore the most visited location in the canyon. In contrast, the North Rim is higher in elevation, cooler, and less crowded. It is also closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.
Learn More: Grand Canyon
22. The Inner Canyon
The Inner Canyon refers to anything below the rim and encompasses several distinct ecosystems. It’s much less visited due to the difficulty of the hike down. However, it offers a serene and more challenging experience for those who venture into it.
Learn More: Wildland Trekking
23. The Grand Canyon’s Width
The Grand Canyon’s width varies significantly along its course. At its narrowest, it is only about 600 yards (550 meters) across, while at its widest point it, stretches 18 miles (29 kilometers) from rim to rim.
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24. The Age of the Colorado River
The Colorado River itself is generally estimated to be five to six million years old. It’s been one of the primary forces that has contributed to shaping the Grand Canyon, but it’s a relatively young river compared to the age of the Earth’s oldest river systems.
Learn More: National Park Service
25. The Coconino Sandstone
The Coconino Sandstone, which forms a prominent white layer in the canyon walls, is composed of ancient desert sand dunes. These dunes solidified into rock and date back to around 260 million years ago.
Learn More: Hike Arizona
26. Rim to Rim Hikes
Hiking from rim to rim is a popular, though strenuous, way to experience the Grand Canyon. This hike covers about 24 miles (39 kilometers), and most hikers take two to three days to complete it. It is recommended for experienced hikers only due to the challenging terrain and elevation changes.
Learn More: Earth Trekkers
27. The Grand Canyon’s Age Debate
There is a debate among geologists about the precise age of the Grand Canyon. Some evidence suggests parts of the canyon may have been carved out as early as 70 million years ago. This is much earlier than the commonly cited age of five to six million years.
Learn More: Live Science
28. Lightning at the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon experiences dramatic thunderstorms, and it’s the most lightning-struck national park in the United States. Visitors are advised to exercise caution during monsoon season, which can produce sudden and severe storms.
Learn More: AZCentral
29. Grand Canyon’s Supergroup Rocks
Beneath the rim, a set of rock layers known as the Grand Canyon Supergroup tilts away from the vertical layers above. These rocks are not visible everywhere in the canyon. They don’t contain many fossils because they formed before there was complex life on Earth, but the ones they do contain, mainly stromatolites, are some of the oldest in the park.
Learn More: USGS
30. The Ancestral Puebloans
The Ancestral Puebloans were one of the earliest cultures to inhabit the Grand Canyon area. They were skilled farmers, artists, and engineers who built complex communities throughout the canyon. Their descendants are the modern Pueblo tribes.
Learn More: Colorado Encyclopedia
31. The Toroweap Overlook
The Toroweap Overlook offers one of the most spectacular and vertiginous views of the canyon. At this point, the walls of the canyon drop straight down for about 3,000 feet to the Colorado River below. It’s a remote and less-visited area due to the rough roads leading to it.
Learn More: National Park Service
32. Rock Squirrels
Rock squirrels are the most common animal in Grand Canyon National Park. Despite their cute appearance, they are wild animals and the most frequent cause of wildlife-related injuries to tourists, mainly due to bites when attempting to feed them.
Learn More: Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
33. Grand Canyon’s Waterfalls
Besides Havasu Falls, the Grand Canyon has several other spectacular waterfalls, including Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls. These waterfalls are also located on the Havasupai reservation and are known for their beautiful blue-green waters.
Learn More: Visit Arizona
34. The Grand Canyon’s Seismic Activity
The Grand Canyon area experiences hundreds of small earthquakes every year. Most of these tremors are not felt by visitors. The region’s seismic activity is closely monitored to understand its impact on the canyon’s stability.
Learn More: Williams-Grand Canyon News
35. The Bright Angel Trail
The Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Grand Canyon, offering stunning views and access to the canyon’s depths. The trail has rest houses and water stations, but it still presents a strenuous challenge due to the extreme changes in elevation and climate.
Learn More: Backpacker Magazine
36. The Little Colorado River Tributary
The Little Colorado River is a significant tributary of the Colorado River and joins it within the Grand Canyon. Its waters are often a vibrant turquoise blue, contrasting sharply with the darker Colorado River. The color is due to dissolved limestone and other minerals.
Learn More: Grand Canyon Trust
37. The Canyon’s Natural Quiet
The Grand Canyon is one of the quietest places in the United States. The National Park Service manages a program to monitor and maintain its natural soundscape, which is as much a part of the park’s natural beauty as its visual splendor.
Learn More: National Park Service
38. The Desert View Watchtower
The Desert View Watchtower, designed by architect Mary Colter, stands at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Completed in 1932, the tower offers panoramic views of the canyon and the Painted Desert. It’s also a tribute to the Native American cultures of the Grand Canyon region.
Learn More: Nature, Culture and History at the Grand Canyon
39. The Age of Dinosaurs
While the Grand Canyon is ancient, there is no evidence that dinosaurs ever roamed its rim. The rocks of the canyon are much older than the age of dinosaurs, which means that the canyon was most likely formed before their existence.
Learn More: Smithsonian Magazine
40. The Grand Canyon’s Lava Falls
Volcanic activity has played a role in the Grand Canyon’s formation. Lava flows from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago can be found in the western parts of the canyon, with Lava Falls being one of the most challenging rapids on the Colorado River due to this ancient volcanic activity.
Learn More: Grand Canyon Visitor Center
41. The Painted Desert
The Painted Desert extends from the East end of the Grand Canyon National Park into the Petrified Forest National Park. Its colorful landscape is visible from the North and East Rims and is known for its vivid hues, which come from layers of sedimentary rock.
Learn More: Visit Arizona
42. The Grand Canyon Greenway
The Grand Canyon Greenway is a trail system that provides opportunities for visitors to walk, bike, and hike along routes that offer stunning views and direct rim access. This network of paved and unpaved trails is part of a project to improve sustainability and accessibility within the park.
Learn More: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
43. Colorado River’s Role in the American Southwest
The Colorado River is a vital water source for up to 40 million people in the American Southwest. Its management for water supply is a complex issue, with the Grand Canyon at the heart of the river’s ecological and hydrological importance.
Learn More: Colorado River Management
44. Grand Canyon as an Astronomical Site
The Grand Canyon offers some of the darkest night skies in the United States, making it an excellent spot for stargazing. The park has been designated a provisional International Dark Sky Park, reflecting its commitment to reducing light pollution and preserving the dark sky resource.
Learn More: Visit Grand Canyon