A great chasm carved over the millennia by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon encompasses over a million acres on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona.

Humbling to the most experienced traveler, it is one of the true wonders of our geologic time. Averaging 4,000 feet deep for its entire 277 miles and more than 15 miles across at its widest point, its steep-walled canyons and semi-arid desert basins serve as an ecological refuge, home to hundreds of protected and endangered plant and animal species.

Each year thousands of international visitors visit this five million-year-old archeological splendor, coming in summer to camp, hike and raft and in winter to snowshoe, bird watch or cross country ski. Planning ahead is imperative to get necessary permits. For more information go to www.nps.gov/grca or www.grand.canyon.national-park.com.