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Grand Canyon National Park Facts & Worksheets

Grand Canyon National Park located in northern Arizona is one of the most well-known and largest canyons in the world.

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The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most incredible places in the world. The land, animals, and history there will always be preserved. People who visit this national park get a thrilling journey and an imposing view of nature.

See the fact file below for more information on Grand Canyon National Park or alternatively, you can download our 27-page Grand Canyon National Park worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

  • The Grand Canyon is one of the most well-known and largest canyons in the world. 
  • It is 18 miles at its widest and sometimes a mile deep, making it a popular tourist destination for hikers and sightseers.
  • The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona. 
  • It is significant because its layers of ancient rocks show a record of the Earth‘s history. 
  • The rocks were exposed over millions of years by the force of the Colorado River. 

FORMATION AND CHARACTERISTICS

  • A canyon can be described as a very deep valley with slopes that tend to be steep. 
  • The Grand Canyon was formed over time by erosion. Wind and water eroded pieces of the earth away.
  • The Colorado River cut its way across the earth for millions of years, gradually deepening and widening the canyon. 
  • The formation of the canyon is also a mystery. While the Colorado River has existed for just 4 million years, some areas of the Grand Canyon are up to 60 million years old.
  • The canyon walls are made of ancient rocks. The rocks are red and gold. 
  • The Grand Canyon’s walls occur in a range of colors. The stripes were formed when successive layers of sediment were stacked on top of one another over millennia. The Grand Canyon has nearly 40 rock layers as its walls.
  • Each layer presents a different period in Earth’s history. The layers are similar to the layers of a cake.
  • The river can be described as a knife that cuts through the cake, revealing the layers within. 
  • Every day, the Colorado River erodes more soil, rock, and other materials and makes the Grand Canyon deeper.

THE NATIONAL PARK

  • The Grand Canyon National Park is located in northwestern Arizona and covers roughly 1,900 square miles (4,921 sq km). 
  • The canyon may be more than a mile (1.6 km) deep in some areas. 
  • While the canyon has been “under construction” for millions of years, the park was established on February 26, 1919, to preserve and protect what many people consider one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
  • President Theodore Roosevelt was the first to try and safeguard the Grand Canyon by proclaiming it a national monument.
  • The most popular part of the Grand Canyon is the South Rim, which is accessible every day of the year.
  • The North Rim is located across the canyon, which is a 212-mile (342 km) journey away.
  • Because it takes longer to get to, for the most part, fewer people visit. 
  • The North Rim is at a higher altitude, resulting in more snowfall. 
  • It’s closed from mid-October through mid-May because of the weather.
  • On the reservation of the Hualapai Nation, Diamond Creek is a beautiful spot to visit. It’s accessible by car and features stunning views of the Grand Canyon.
  • Today, the Grand Canyon National Park is visited by millions of people who come from all parts of the world. 
  • Some hikers trek for weeks throughout the canyon’s far reaches.
  • There are also cabins at the bottom, where visitors may stay. 
  • Some hikers enter the canyon on mules. 
  • At the bottom of the canyon, visitors can see waterfalls and vivid swimming pools.
  • Rafting on the Colorado River is another popular activity.
  • The Grand Canyon has about 277 miles (446 km) of twisting river. 
  • In some areas, the water might be rough, fast, and rocky, making for an exciting journey. 
  • On a river cruise, it might take two weeks to journey through the canyon.
  • People also enjoy strolling along the canyon rim’s pathways. They are amazed by miles of colorful walls, and the changing of the light and shade on the land.
  • The glass bridge that spans the canyon is known as the Skywalk.

HUMANS AND THE GRAND CANYON

  • For at least 12,000 years, people have visited the Grand Canyon.
  • In the American Southwest, Native Americans carved dwellings and other buildings into the canyon’s walls. 
  • In certain sections of the Grand Canyon, remnants of these Native American cliff dwellings may be seen.
  • By the mid-19th century, the Grand Canyon was still largely unknown to Americans. 
  • Since nobody was very sure how large the canyon was or what was in it, they called it “the great unknown.” 
  • In 1869, John Wesley Powell led a hazardous expedition down the Grand Canyon. 
  • The party traveled along the Colorado River. 
  • In 1871, Powell led a second expedition down the river to create maps of the region.
  • Over time, more and more people came to explore, photograph, and ride the river through the Grand Canyon. 
  • The canyon became even more popular after it became a national park.

SCIENCE AT THE GRAND CANYON

  • The layers of the canyon provide a window into the Earth‘s history, allowing scientists to see how the planet has evolved over time.
  • The rocks at the bottom of the gorge are thought to be about 2 billion years old, according to scientists.
  • Researchers examine the canyon’s rock formations and other evidence from the past, such as animal tracks dating back millions of years.

Grand Canyon National Park Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Grand Canyon National Park across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of the most incredible places in the world.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

  • Grand Canyon National Park Facts
  • Grand Canyon Board Game
  • Have Fun at the Grand Canyon!
  • Endangered Species
  • Imagine the Future
  • Present and Past Hopi House
  • Expansion Towards the West
  • Ancestral Pueblo
  • The Park’s Vegetation
  • Visitor Centers at the Park
  • Grand Canyon Numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit Grand Canyon National Park?

The best time to visit the Grand Canyon National Park is between April and June when the weather is not too hot, and rainfall is low.

What is Grand Canyon National Park best known for?

It is known for its very deep valleys with slopes that tend to be steep and the colors of the walls.

How much time do you need at Grand Canyon National Park?

Two to three days would be enough to check the great viewpoints of the Grand Canyon.

What are three facts about the Grand Canyon?

  1. The Grand Canyon is one of the most well-known and largest canyons in the world. 
  2. It is 18 miles at its widest and sometimes a mile deep, making it a popular tourist destination for hikers and sightseers.
  3. The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona. 

Who lived in the Grand Canyon?

In the American Southwest, Native Americans carved dwellings and other buildings into the canyon’s walls. In certain sections of the Grand Canyon, remnants of these Native American cliff dwellings may be seen.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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