Stretching 277 miles in length and more than a mile deep, this vast canyon reveals layers of geologic time stacked like pages in a book. Standing on the South Rim, visitors can look out over colorful cliffs and winding trails that have drawn explorers, artists, and travelers for generations. The views change with the light starting with crimson at sunrise, golden at sunset, and every hue in between.

Long before it became a national park in 1919, the Grand Canyon was home to Indigenous peoples who still live in the region today. The Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Navajo, and Zuni all have cultural and spiritual connections to the canyon. Signs of ancient life remain in the form of granaries tucked into rock walls and petroglyphs etched into stone. For a more immersive experience, visitors can stop by the Desert View Watchtower, designed in 1932 by architect Mary Colter to honor Ancestral Puebloan design. Inside, murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie share stories that go far beyond the view outside.

Adventure takes many shapes at the Grand Canyon. Hikers descend into the canyon on Bright Angel or South Kaibab trails, each offering dramatic switchbacks and jaw-dropping overlooks. Rafting the Colorado River offers a completely different perspective, one that includes roaring rapids, hidden waterfalls, and star-filled nights in quiet backcountry camps. For those less inclined to trek or paddle, the Grand Canyon Railway offers a vintage train ride from Williams, Arizona, complete with cowboy reenactments and old-time charm.