11 Things You Didn’t Know About the Grand Canyon
You might just find a fossil on your next hike!
One of the most popular National Parks in the United States is the Grand Canyon… and rightfully so. The rock formations are millions of years old, and the park is filled with fossils from ancient marine life. What draws millions of visitors every year is how much you can see and explore — like your very own choose-your-own-adventure! Defined as the North and South Rims, visitors can travel by car to scenic viewpoints, take adventurous hikes down the canyon and can even ride on a pack mule. Here are some fun facts that you didn’t know about one of our favorite national parks.
The Grand Canyon is the fourth-most visited National Park in the US
This vast park is not a hidden gem, so prepare for some crowds during its peak season. According to the National Park Service, approximately 4.5 million people visited the Grand Canyon in 2021. The most popular National Park in America is the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Hopi Tribe considers the Grand Canyon a gateway to afterlife
For some, like the Hopi Tribe, there are great spiritual ties to these breathtaking canyons and rivers. They believe that a person passes upstream on the Colorado River to be on their way to a life after death.
The temperature depends on you location
Like any hike, dress in layers! The vast change in elevation in the canyon can alter the temperature by over 25 degrees. Hiking in the height of summer can be extremely hot while the winter will be freezing with snowfall.
There are hundreds of unexplored caves
While this National Park is known for its canyons, there are actually over 1,000 caves within the park’s territory. However, only 335 have been documented, and only the Cave of the Domes is open to visitors to explore.
There are fossils, but not from dinosaurs
Keep your eyes peeled on your hike, because you might just find a piece of history. The canyon has been home to thousands of fossils of ancient marine mammals. However, you won’t find dinosaur fossils since the canyon was formed before they even walked the earth.
Beware of venomous creatures!
There are six species of venomous rattlesnakes and one lizard — the Gila monster. Overall, there are 41 species of reptiles including a tortoise. If you come across reptiles, do not try to catch them or bother them as this is their home.
Some of the cleanest air in the country is among the Grand Canyon
This makes sense that some of the cleanest air is in the park. There aren’t any buildings or vehicles to pollute, just Mother Nature! The South Rim’s highest elevation is 7,000 feet above sea level.
A town is located in the National Park
Supai Village, with a population of 208, is located at the base of the canyon and looks like an oasis that you can only dream of. It’s part of the Havasupai Indian Reservation and requires a permit to visit. The trek down is no easy feat, where the only accessible way is by foot. It's so desolate that mail is delivered by pack mule.
The North and South Rims aren’t that close to one another
Unless you have more than two weeks to explore the Grand Canyon, you’ll probably have time only for one side, which is more than enough to see. Seeing both in one day isn’t very feasible, as the North Rim to the South Rim visitor centers are about a four-hour drive from one another.
Many hikes are closed for the winter
Before you make your way to the canyon, be sure to research hikes and which ones you want to explore. There’s over 100 hikes, but some are closed for the off season. Bright Angel Trail is the most popular with dreamy views.
You can go on a pack mule in the canyon
Heading down the canyon on a pack mule not only is a unique experience but also saves you a lot of energy. There are different tours for the North and South Rims, but look sooner than later as some are a lottery system and reservations are months in advance.
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