Ian Bronson
While the Grand Canyon often takes the spotlight as one of America’s most iconic natural wonders, many lesser-known canyons offer equally breathtaking views and experiences. These gems offer stunning sights and unique terrain that rival the beauty of the Grand Canyon across the United States and will leave you just as amazed.
Buckskin Gulch
Buckskin Gulch, located in Utah, is one of the main tributaries of the Paria River. This slot canyon has walls primarily made of sandstone, reaching depths ranging from 40 to 500 feet. The Canyon’s narrowest sections measure less than 10 feet wide and create a unique hiking experience.
Waimea Canyon
Often tagged the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon plunges over 3,600 feet deep. Home to several breathtaking waterfalls, including the Waipo Falls, which drops 800 feet, this gorge covers 1,866 acres of tropical scenery; layers within the canyon walls narrate the story of the island’s volcanic eruptions.
Antelope Canyon
Known for its unique light beams, this Canyon draws in photographers and nature lovers. Formed through the erosion of Navajo Sandstone by flash flooding, its rock formations showcase waves of color and texture. The upper section, known as Upper Antelope Canyon, is particularly famous for light shafts that illuminate it.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park in Utah spans 337,000 acres and is split into four districts: Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the river-carved scenery. According to Wikipedia, Canyonlands was once home to the Ancestral Puebloans, whose legacy remains evident in the park’s rock art and ancient dwelling sites.
Royal Gorge
The Royal Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the United States, measuring approximately 1,250 feet deep. It features granite cliffs that rise above the Arkansas River. Completed in 1929, it is the highest suspension bridge in the United States, standing 956 feet above the river.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Approximately 24 miles long, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone has stunning walls adorned with vibrant hues of yellow and red, primarily due to thermal activity and mineral deposits. This natural wonder features two major waterfalls, one of the most impressive waterfall systems in the United States.
Bryce Canyon
Famous for its unique hoodoos, Bryce Canyon is a geological wonder formed through frost weathering and stream erosion. These irregular rock spires can reach heights of up to 200 feet. Its unique geography allows for stunning sunrises and sunsets illuminating the hoodoos in vibrant hues of orange or purple.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park is known for its massive depth, with average drops of 34 feet per mile, which makes it the fifth steepest mountain descent in North America. This is also home to diverse wildlife, like elk and various bird species, and is a good spot for birdwatching.
Hells Canyon
As the deepest river gorge in North America, its depths reach up to 7,993 feet, surpassing the Grand Canyon. It was formed by the Snake River’s erosive power, which carved through layers of basalt, dramatic cliffs, and rock formations. Hells Canyon offers recreational opportunities that include white-water rafting and hiking.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is famous for its red sandstone cliffs just west of Las Vegas. Stretching over 195,000 acres within the Mojave Desert, these cliffs, made from Aztec Sandstone, are over 180 million years old and formed from ancient dunes. According to Wikipedia, dinosaur tracks and proto-mammal footprints have been found in the area.
Little River Canyon
Carved by the Little River, Little River Canyon in Alabama, sandstone cliffs rise to 600 feet above the river. Found at the confluence of the Cumberland Plateau and Gulf Coastal Plain, the Canyon is a rich habitat for wildlife and plant diversity, which often attracts botanists and nature photographers.
Bighorn Canyon
This is another canyon located across Montana and Wyoming. Established in 1966, it offers diverse recreational opportunities, including camping and fishing in the 12,700-acre Bighorn Lake. With 191 miles of shoreline, it’s a good spot for water sports lovers. Notably, it has two distinct districts: one semi-arid and one high desert.
Provo Canyon
Home to several scenic parks, such as Canyon Glen and Nunns, ParkProvo Canyon in Utah is beautiful and historically significant. Its geological features include the Deer Creek Reservoir, a water source for nearby valleys. A major highlight is Bridal Veil Falls, located just 3.5 miles from the Canyon’s mouth.
Glenwood Canyon
If you’re looking for huge canyon walls, Glenwood Canyon in Colorado won’t disappoint. Walls that rise as much as 1,300 feet above the Colorado River, making it the largest Canyon in Upper Colorado. Hanging lakes, natural hot springs, and rich wildlife are major attractions in Glenwood Canyon.
Snake River Canyon
Lastly, Snake River Canyon in Idaho is famously known for Evel Knievel’s 1974 attempt to jump across it on a rocket-powered bike, a fear that remains unaccomplished today. The Canyon dates back around 15,000 years, was shaped by the Lake Bonneville flood, and covers over 50 miles with a depth of 500 feet.
