Canyons are about as deep as you can go into the heart of Mother Nature. Across the country, you’ll find plenty of breathtaking opportunities to explore the depths of the Earth. Here are the five best canyons to visit in the U.S.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
An obvious choice but a worthwhile visit nonetheless, the Grand Canyon earns its top spot among canyons to visit in the U.S. thanks to its incredible size, awe-inspiring views and abundance of activities. Whether you decide to hike, camp or raft your way through the gorge, you won’t soon forget a trip to the Grand Canyon. Take a walk on the Grand Canyon Skywalk to see this natural wonder through a glass floor as you venture 70 feet past the canyon’s rim.
Bryce Canyon, Utah
This national park has a landscape like no other. Rocky pillars known as hoodoos jet out across the canyon, creating rugged waves of red rock. Hidden between the hoodoos, you’ll find unlikely desert scenery like pine forests, rivers and lakes. Easy hikes will land you right in the middle of Bryce Canyon’s beauty.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
The smooth and rounded slot canyons of this iconic area are a photographer’s dream – and you’ve likely seen photos of Antelope Canyon without realizing it. The red sandstone hums with muted orange hues as beams of lights peak in through the top, a sight that many a patient photographer will wait hours on end for. Access to Antelope Canyon is only available by guided tour.
Glen Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon’s neighboring national recreational area stretches across 1.2 million acres of desert and water, a contrast best experienced as you gaze upon how the winding red cliffs and buttes surround the blue waters of Lake Powell. One canyon that’s not to be missed is Horseshoe Bend, where the river nearly entirely surrounds part of the canyon.
Waimea Canyon, Hawaii
Hawaii’s 10-mile-wide canyon is named for the Hawaiian word for “reddish water,” a nod to the red soil seen in Waimea Canyon. An oddity for the Hawaiian islands, this vast canyon is filled with buttes and gorges, often topped with the quintessential Hawaiian rainbow.
(Main image: Grand Canyon NPS)
