Just How Big Is It?
Standing on the rim, the first thing everyone wonders about the Grand Canyon is simply how big it really is. The numbers are staggering: about a mile deep, up to 18 miles wide, and 277 river miles long. But numbers only tell part of the story. Here is a look at the scale of one of the world’s true natural wonders, and a few facts to bring on your visit.
A Mile Straight Down
At its deepest, the Grand Canyon plunges roughly 6,000 feet, more than a mile, from the rim to the Colorado River below. That depth is what makes standing at an overlook so breathtaking, and it is why hiking to the river and back is such a serious undertaking. When you look down at that thin silver ribbon of water, you are seeing the very river that carved this whole landscape.
Grand Canyon by the Numbers
- Depth: about 1 mile, roughly 6,000 feet at its deepest.
- Length: 277 river miles along the Colorado River.
- Width: from about 4 miles up to 18 miles across.
- Age of the oldest rocks at the bottom: around 1.8 billion years.
- Elevation of the South Rim: about 7,000 feet above sea level.
Wider Than You Think
The canyon averages about 10 miles across, stretching up to 18 miles rim to rim at its widest. That is why the North Rim looks so far away from the South Rim, and why driving between the two takes around four to five hours even though they face each other across the gorge. The sheer width is part of what gives the canyon its endless, layered horizon.
A Few Fun Facts
The rocks at the bottom of the canyon are astonishingly old, close to 1.8 billion years, so a look from rim to river is a look back across an immense span of Earth’s history. The canyon is so large it creates its own weather, and temperatures at the bottom can be 20 degrees or more warmer than the rim. It is often said you could fit entire mountain ranges inside it, and once you see it in person, you will believe it.
See the Scale for Yourself
No photo truly captures how vast the Grand Canyon feels, which is exactly why it is worth seeing with your own eyes. Whether you take in the depth from a South Rim overlook, fly over it, or hike a little way below the rim, the scale is unforgettable. Ask us about our Grand Canyon tours and the best ways to experience its immensity.