The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that should be seen in person to experience its true beauty. The history of the Grand Canyon can be traced back to almost six million years as the Colorado River slowly carved out the canyon into the shape it's known for today. On February 14, 1912, the Grand Canyon earned recognition as a National Park and was later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1. The Grand Canyon is a full mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide making it bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. The park itself measures an amazing 1,904 square miles while Rhode Island is around 1,212 square miles by comparison.
   
   
2. Temperatures vary across different areas within the canyon. From the rim of the canyon to its lowest point, the temperature can change by more than 25 degrees. The depths of the gorge are very hot during the summer, while the North Rim can often be below freezing during the winter.
   
   
3. The Grand Canyon used to be home to a booming photography business owned by the Kolb brothers. The brothers would take photos of tourists as they departed on mules to tour the canyon and sell them when the riders returned from their journey. The Kolb Studio is still located in Grand Canyon Village.
   
   
4. The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. When it first opened in 1919, a little over 44,000 people visited the park annually. Now, an estimated 6.38 million people visit every year making it the second most popular national park behind the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.
   
   
5. Hidden caves are tucked deep within the Grand Canyon. Around 1,000 caves are estimated to be inside the canyon with 335 of them officially recorded. Today, the only cave open to the public is the Cave of the Domes on Horseshoe Mesa.
   
   
6. The Grand Canyon is home to a variety of wildlife such as bighorn sheep and California Condors. But the animal who causes the most trouble is the rock squirrel. These tiny creatures frequent Grand Canyon National Park and will snatch food from tourists. It's recommended to stay away from the squirrels and not try to feed them as they do bite.
   
   
7. The Grand Canyon has a rich history with more than 4,800 archeological sites that bear the echoes of ancient Native American tribes. Through these discoveries, it’s been suggested that humans have inhabited the Grand Canyon as far back as 4,000 years and journeyed through it 6,500 years before that.
   
   
8. After visiting the Grand Canyon in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt was so deeply moved by the experience that he became instrumental in protecting the landscape. Five years later, Roosevelt signed a bill that proclaimed the area a national monument. Of the Grand Canyon, he said: "Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it."
   
   
9. The Grand Canyon National Park is accessible to everyone. Visitors with disabilities will be pleased to find handicapped-accessible bathrooms, showers, campsites, guest rooms and parking lots. To make it even easier, the maps of the park outline all of the facilities and services available.
   
   
10. There are nine buildings at the Grand Canyon National Park that are listed as National Historic Landmarks. Grand Canyon Village, which consists of 257 properties, is also listed as a National Historic Landmark District.

From hiking, to camping, and discovering the history that abounds there’s endless opportunity to learn and explore in Grand Canyon National Park. Are you ready to explore the Grand Canyon National Park? Maverick offers unique helicopter tours that take you over the South Rim near Grand Canyon National Park with unprecedented views of Kaibab National Forest, home to the world's largest stand of ponderosa pines.

More interesting Grand Canyon facts.