The Grand Canyon is an overwhelming experience, and nothing can prepare you for the sight; a massive natural canyon, carved over several million years by the force of the mighty Colorado River. It's so momentous that from rim to river it can be over a mile deep, a mile!

Throughout the past century, hundreds of authors have attempted to depict the enormous landscape that is the Grand Canyon. Not surprisingly, words most often fail to invoke the sense of awe and wonder that many visitors experience. Edward Abbey, a noted Southwest author, once penned:

"Those who love it call it the canyon. The canyon. As if there were no other topographic feature on the face of the Earth."

Visitors are often surprised to learn that the Grand Canyon sets no records for sheer size, it is, however, simply regarded by most as the "grandest" canyon of them all. There are, of course, other canyons on the planet, some longer, others wider and even some that are deeper, but it is not the statistics that define this landscape as "grand", but rather a combination of factors. One of the most notable is the geologic story revealed by the well preserved perfectly layered rock of the area, the lack of herbaceous ground cover that exposes it and the depth of the canyon which displays over two billion years of history!

The Grand Canyon provides visitors with some of the most magnificent and unsurpassed vistas on the planet. People come from far and wide to fly over it, marvel at its glowing red rock at sunset, raft through it on the Colorado River’s whitewater rapids, traverse its rim on the back or a sure footed mule and, most strenuously, delve into it on backcountry trails to visit the waterfalls and natural oases of the inner canyon.

You can fly in and out on a jam packed adventure day-trip, make an overnight stop-over from driving Historic Route 66, or spend weeks camping and getting to know the nooks and crannies of one of America’s most well loved features. It's up to you; just don't miss the opportunity to see one of America's "grand" treasures!