Discover the Grand Canyon: Top 24 Fun Facts to Amaze and Inspire You!

1. First European Visitors

Before there was a "Grand" Gap between Kim Kardashian and modesty, there was a little something called the Grand Canyon: In September 1540, García López de Cárdenas led a group of Spanish soldiers and Hopi guides to the South Rim, becoming the first Europeans to lay eyes on this majestic natural wonder, and reporting back that some of its rocks were "bigger than the great tower of Seville."
Source => curtwalters.com

2. Ancient Exposed Rocks

Time flies, but rocks don't hurry: The Grand Canyon's oldest exposed rocks are a whopping 1.84 billion years old! Although the canyon itself is just a sprightly 6 million years old, it offers a breathtaking window into nearly 2 billion years of geologic history with its fossils, volcanic evidence, and diverse rock formations.
Source => nps.gov

Discover the binge-worthy adventure of the Colorado River, flowing through 11 national parks and monuments across 1,450 miles, covering 8% of the US territory. Get ready to be amazed!

=> Fun Facts about The-Colorado-River

3. Rhode Island's Size Comparison

Forget downsizing to a tiny home — you could fit the whole state of Rhode Island inside the Grand Canyon and still have room for a souvenir shop or two! The vast expanse of this natural wonder truly dwarfs even the smallest U.S. state: The Grand Canyon spans over 1,904 square miles, measures a mile deep, 277 miles long, and 18 miles wide, attracting an estimated 5.9 million visitors per year. A favorite vantage point for sunrises and sunsets? Hopi Point, located off of Hermit Road, offers breathtaking views of the immense canyon that leave visitors in awe.
Source => doi.gov

4. Daredevil Rock Squirrels

Guess which daredevil creature at the Grand Canyon is secretly auditioning for a role in a squirrel version of "The Fast and the Furious"? It's none other than the notorious rock squirrel!: Each year, these furry risk-takers claim dozens of unsuspecting human victims who attempt to feed them, resulting in bites and a newfound wariness of these small, but feisty rodents. So when at the Grand Canyon, remember to admire the wildlife from a distance, lest you become a part of the rock squirrel's ever-growing fan base!
Source => doi.gov

5. Growing Canyon Depth

Hold onto your hats and secure your raft, folks, because the Grand Canyon's depth prescription isn't improving any time soon: Despite the Colorado River's attempt to play dental hygienist with its steep slope and large rock-carrying abilities during floods, the canyon's depth continues to grow thanks to erosion and downcutting forces.
Source => nps.gov

6. North Rim's Cool Summer

As the North Rim truly puts the "Grand" in Grand Canyon, offering a world-class hideout for shade-loving introverts and dedicated hikers, let the summer vibes roll on: The North Rim boasts a cooler climate and more secluded trails, making it a top pick for those wanting to escape the sweltering heat, while leaving their fellow adventurers in awe, as they gaze at the majestic vistas and the South Rim's clearer view of the canyon walls.
Source => explorethecanyon.com

7. Climatic Contrasts and Records

If the Grand Canyon were to throw a year-round party, it'd be a rave of roasting heat waves and sizzling snowflakes: With temperatures hitting a scorching 120°F at Phantom Ranch in the summer and icy lows of -22°F on the North Rim in February 1985, it's a bonanza of climatic contrasts. The North Rim is the snowball fight champ at 142” of snow annually, even breaking the snowfall record with 272.8” in 1978, while the South Rim plays it cooler with a modest 58” on average. But beware, party-goers – those thunderstorm crashers just might trigger some uninvited flash floods in canyon tributaries.
Source => nps.gov

8. Ancient Vishnu Schist

Feeling a little ancient this morning? Here's something to remind you that your aches and pains are nothing compared to the granddaddy of rocks: The Vishnu schist in the Grand Canyon is over 1.8 billion years old, making it more than one-third the age of the Earth itself! Talk about getting up there in geological years.
Source => nps.gov

9. Age of Rocks Dance

Hold onto your time machines, folks, because this twisty tale is even wilder than an amateur square dance at the Grand Old Oprey house: the magnificent Grand Canyon itself is just a wee 5-6 million years old, but the rocks it boogies through range from 1.8 billion to a sprightly 270 million years old, making them the ultimate seasoned dance partners of geological history!
Source => nps.gov

10. 1,000 Hidden Caves

Feeling like Indiana Jones with a hankering for spelunking? Brace yourself for a cavernous adventure at the Grand Canyon: Boasting over 1,000 caves formed due to the Redwall Limestone rock's affinity for dissolving over time, only one of these hidden wonders is accessible to the public – a priceless and exclusive underground exploration for any daring adventurer.
Source => doi.gov

11. Havasupai Waterfalls

Move over, Niagara: you've got some stiff competition right in your own backyard! Be prepared to be awestruck by the great waterfall swap: The Havasupai waterfalls at the Grand Canyon, nestled in a remote side canyon, are higher than the famous Niagara Falls.
Source => azgovernor.gov

12. Home to Native Tribes

Before people swiped right on the Grand Canyon, a bunch of OG tribes were already calling it home, pretty big names like the Hualapai and Havasupai, you might’ve heard of them: The Grand Canyon National Park shares boundaries with three federally recognized tribes, with a total of 11 tribes having traditional associations to the area and collaborating with park staff for over four decades in fostering innovative partnerships, enhancing the deep cultural connections with the land their ancestors left them.
Source => nps.gov

13. Wildlife Abundance

Who let the birds out? The Grand Canyon zoo is off the leash: Boasting an astonishing lineup of over 355 bird species, 89 mammal species, and 56 reptile and amphibian species, the Grand Canyon is Mother Nature's very own talent show, featuring special guest stars like California Condors, bighorn sheep, and even the occasional desert tortoise.
Source => nps.gov

14. Teddy Roosevelt's Protection

Let's hear it for Teddy Roosevelt, the Grand Canyon's bouncer, who once told developers and private exploiters, "You shall not pass!": President Theodore Roosevelt, passionate about conservation, used the Antiquities Act in 1908 to establish the Grand Canyon National Monument, which protected over 800,000 acres of land, before Congress officially designated it as a national park in 1919, ensuring that this natural wonder was preserved for future generations.
Source => history.com

15. Geological Fire Party

Who knew the Grand Canyon was a pyromaniac's dream come true? Fire gods even have their own throne among the remnants of an ancient volcanic party in Northern Arizona: The Grand Canyon's San Francisco Peaks are part of a volcanic field that saw lava flow from the North Rim's Vulcan's Throne, creating at least 13 dams over 630,000 years – one dam reaching heights taller than the Glen Canyon Dam. But fear not, these rockstars had a short shelf life, the Colorado River rocked out and broke free time and time again.
Source => nps.gov

16. Metropolis of Wildlife

Who knew the Grand Canyon was a bustling metropolis of wildlife, with more species knocking about than the cast of a Disney movie? The list of residents even includes a rare cameo by the film star, California Condor!: Amidst its stunning landscapes, the Grand Canyon houses over 90 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 1,500 plant species, providing a crucial habitat for a wide range of biodiversity.
Source => pbslearningmedia.org

17. World Record Canyon Sandwich

Don't be fooled by its moniker as "grand" – the Grand Canyon is caught in a bit of a canyon sandwich, with an Australian neighbor that's wider and a Tibetan cousin that's deeper: Indeed, the Capertee Valley in Australia is actually the world's widest canyon, while the world's deepest is the Grand Canyon of Yarlung in Tibet, with an astonishing 5.3-kilometer drop from rim to riverbed and walls three times steeper than Arizona's grand attraction.
Source => abc.net.au

18. Park's Economic Impact

A Grand(new) Commerce-on: In 2016, the Grand Canyon National Park attracted a whopping 5.9 million visitors, who channeled their inner Indiana Jones and spent over $648 million in the surrounding communities, proving that adventure does pay off! This spending spree supported nearly 10,000 jobs in the area and contributed to a massive economic boost of over $900 million, making the Grand Canyon a true treasure trove!
Source => nps.gov

19. Whiskey-Saving Expedition

When a keg calls, you've got to row with the flow: John Wesley Powell's 1869 expedition crew braved raging spring waters in the Grand Canyon to salvage supplies from a smashed boat – primarily motivated by their hidden stash of whiskey in the vessel's forward compartment.
Source => freerangeamerican.us

20. Mule Mail Delivery

In a world where snail mail has become a relic, some brave mules still carry on the tradition in the depths of the Grand Canyon like they're auditioning for the next Pony Express reboot: At Phantom Ranch and the village of Supai, these noble beasts deliver mail and supplies through steep trails, bearing the precious cargo of postcards and provisions for humans waiting eagerly at the other end.
Source => grandcanyon.com

21. Artist-in-Residence Program

"Where nature meets the canvas and artists find their muse in rocks and rivulets": as captivating as this may sound, it is simply describing the Grand Canyon's Artist in Residence program, which invites a plethora of painters, sculptors, and other creative types to craft artistic expressions inspired by the canyon's breathtaking beauty. Over the years, the program has showcased the talent of Thomas Moran, Elizabeth Black, Carol Nelson, Chris Brown, and Jason Hines, among others, leaving visitors enamored and inspired by their masterpieces.
Source => grandcanyonhelicoptertour.net

22. Annual Visitor Count

Hold on to your hiking boots and brace yourself for a Grand ol' time: The Grand Canyon National Park entertains around 7 million adventure-seekers each year, with a whopping majority enjoying the wonders of the South Rim Village that stretches out over 20 miles like Mother Nature's welcome mat. This majestic masterpiece of geological glory was knighted the 15th national park in 1919 by none other than President Woodrow Wilson himself, thanks to passionate lobbying by stony-faced park enthusiasts.
Source => library.nau.edu

23. Endemic Plant Party

Guess who's always in high demand at the Grand Canyon's exclusive plant parties? The 12 endemic species, that's who! They've made this geological wonder their one and only home: The Grand Canyon boasts 12 plant species found nowhere else on Earth, residing within its impressive boundaries, alongside 1,737 known plant species and 129 vegetation communities. Now, before you plan a grand larceny of your own, remember that swiping these green party-goers requires a permit, and only 10% of them are exotic in nature.
Source => nps.gov

24. Annual Rock Concert

Did you hear the one about the Grand Canyon throwing a rock concert every year? Well, it's not quite a party, but: The Colorado River has been carving the Grand Canyon for five to six million years, with annual rock falls and landslides changing its landscape, and the Glen Canyon Dam significantly reducing the water volume fluctuations that once fueled its downcutting and erosion.
Source => nps.gov