The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River over six million years. It is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and attains a depth of over a mile. The canyon and adjacent rim are contained within Grand Canyon National Park, the Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument, the Hualapai Indian Reservation, the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Navajo Nation.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Millions of people visit the canyon each year to hike, camp, raft, and view the scenery. The canyon is also a popular spot for scientific research. Geologists, palaeontologists, and archaeologists have been studying the canyon for centuries. The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.