Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is an enormous gorge carved by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is a truly awe-inspiring view. Nature walks, hikes, whitewater river rafting are popular activities around here. The Grand Canyon Village, Desert View, and Hermits Rest are significant landmarks.

The canyon was created by the Colorado River over a 5.4 million year period. The canyon is 277 miles long, ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles and attains a depth of over a mile. The canyon began in the west, followed by another that formed in the east. Eventually, the two broke through and met as a single majestic rent in the earth, more commonly referred to as the "Grand Canyon Event" approximately 5.4 million years ago. The merger apparently occurred where the river today bends to the west, in the area known as the Kaibab Arch. The major form of the canyon was created by this event. The Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to the point we see it as today.

The first tourist facility was constructed in 1917 on the North Rim by W.W. Wylie. It provided minimum accommodations and was located near Bright Angle Point. At the same time, tourist’s camps were being developed at Bryce Canyon and Zion. In 1919, Congress made the Grand Canyon Preserve a National Park and established its use for the enjoyment of future generations as a recreational resource, as well as recognizing the region's scientific value.