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10 of the Coolest Facts About The Grand Canyon

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Mysteries of the Grand Canyon Still Abound

The Grand Canyon is one of the most amazing natural landmarks on the planet. It is rich with history, life, and mystery. Here are 10 facts about the Grand Canyon you’ll surely find to be remarkable.

1) The Grand Canyon Reveals 40% of Earth’s History

The Grand Canyon showing layers of the Earth's stratum history.
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One of the most interesting facts about the Grand Canyon has to do with its amazing age. The Grand Canyon contains the metamorphic rock Vishnu schist, and layers of sedimentary rock that date back to 1.75 billion years old — that’s nearly half the age of the Earth  (4.5 billion years old)! That means there are tons of fossils and tracks to help us learn about ancient species.

2) There are Pink Snakes!

A pink rattlesnake hides in the rocks of the Grand Canyon.
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Here’s one of many interesting facts about the Grand Canyon you most likely didn’t know. There are six different types of rattlesnakes that call the Grand Canyon home (yikes!) but one of them sticks out a little more than the others. Or doesn’t stick out, actually, because the pink hue of the snake works as camouflage among the sunlit rocks. It must work well because it took us a while to find the snake in this photo.

3) The Grand Canyon Encompasses Several Ecosystems

Mammals abound in the Grand Canyon like this one. There are many astounding facts about the Grand Canyon.
flickr.com / Grand Canyon National Park

As you descend into the Grand Canyon, your surroundings can change rapidly. There are around 70 mammal species, 47 reptile species, 250 species of birds, and over 1,750 plant species. Temperatures have been recorded from -10° to 110° Fahrenheit in various locations of the canyon. Now that’s variety!

4) The Grand Canyon is the Reason We Have the FAA

A helicopter flies over the Grand Canyon.
grandcanyonhelicoptertours.co.uk

Back in the 1950s, the awe-inspiring view of the canyon was so tempting that there were numerous plane collisions resulting from pilots who decided to take a scenic detour away from their flight path. These tragedies necessitated the formation of the Federal Aviation Administration. And they’re the reason that these days, you can safely fly over the Grand Canyon for a unique view.

5) The Pueblo Indians Were the First Grand Canyon Inhabitants

Pueblo native ruins along the side of a Grand Canyon cliff.
lovethesepics.com

More than 3,000 years ago, the Grand Canyon worked well as a place to provide shelter and store food. Not only this, but the Grand Canyon was believed to be a holy land. We continue to learn more about the Pueblo Indians today, as we find tools and structures that they left behind.

6) The Air at the Grand Canyon is Some of the Cleanest in the U.S.

A hiker stands on the edge of the Grand Canyon.


As a National Park, the Grand Canyon is well protected. Barring the occasional dust storm or forest fire, chances are good that you’ll be breathing easy. It’s no wonder that over 5 million people a year come to experience this beautiful feat of nature.

7) It’s Still Growing!

The Colorado River flowing with its blue water between the Grand Canyon.
journeysinlightphotoblog.net

Scientists generally agree that the Grand Canyon is a result of continual erosion by wind, rain, and the powerful Colorado River. The Colorado River still flows today, of course, which means that the Grand Canyon is constantly getting bigger and changing shape. It’s a slow process, but it’s happening nonetheless!

8) People Still Live There Today!

Most facts about the Grand Canyon don't talk about the fact that people still live there. Well, they do.


While you might think that the Grand Canyon is a beautiful place to visit, many people call this beautiful place home. Records show that some 2,000 people live in the Grand Canyon all year round. The majority of the inhabitants are members of the Havasupai Tribe, but we can’t forget those who keep Phantom Ranch (the only place to stay at the bottom of the canyon) up and running.

9) Sometimes We Start Fires in the Grand Canyon on Purpose!

Water falls down the side of the Grand Canyon.
mountainphotography.com

This is one of the facts about the Grand Canyon that may seem unreal. This may seem like a destructive act against nature, but its goal is actually to prevent a tragedy. Firefighters strategically start small fires, called prescribed burns, that help refresh forest ecosystems and ensure that larger canopy fires don’t occur, resulting in widespread, tragic losses.

10) The Grand Canyon is Considered to be 1 of the 7 Wonders of the World

Facts about the Grand Canyon.
turner.com

One of the more interesting facts about the Grand Canyon is just how massive it is. Most people are amazed when they first lay their eyes on it. It’s normally grander than they ever imagined.

On average, the canyon is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep. Not to mention there are over 20 layers of rock jam-packed full of geological history, and numerous ecosystems brimming with unique life forms. (Did we mention there’s a horned lizard that shoots blood out of its eyes? We’ll let you google that one yourself.) If you ever have the chance to see this jaw-dropping masterpiece, you can definitely count yourself lucky!

There Are Still Many Facts About the Grand Canyon to Discover

The Grand Canyon is indeed a majestic place on Earth. There are many mysteries locked up inside the canyon that will be discovered in time. With every discovery, our knowledge of our planet and our species grows. The question remains: will we ever learn all of the facts about the Grand Canyon or will some remain hidden forever?

Cheyenne Reed was born and raised in Ohio. She recently relocated to rural Wyoming to try out working at an exclusive guest ranch. She graduated from Kent State University with an English degree, and most enjoys writing about travel. If she has free time, you may run into her anywhere, because she is always itching to explore new places. Her personal motto is, "Any day can be an adventure if you make it one!"

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