CATEGORIES
CATEGORIESThe Grand Canyon is the most iconic canyon in the world for a reason. However, it doesn’t have a monopoly on awe-inspiring beauty or incredible adventures. Far from it. Here are eight canyons that, while not the Grand Canyon, are grand nonetheless.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison looks like it’s straight out of Lord of the Rings and is so named because sunlight has a hard time reaching the bottom. Sandwiched between the Elk and San Juan mountain ranges in Colorado, there are several short trails throughout the canyon but the harsh terrain prevents long trails and easy access. The longest “trail,” the Red Rock Canyon Route, is less than four miles long but loses and gains over a thousand feet of elevation. Don’t despair—low traffic means backcountry permits are readily available.
Note: Traveling the length of the canyon is a serious undertaking that should only be attempted by experts.
It’s all in the name. Author Edward Abbey described Canyonlands as the “most weird, wonderful, magical place on Earth” and we’re inclined to agree. Located a hop and a skip from Moab, the desert landscape in Canyonlands is unfailingly spectacular. It’s popular with climbers, rafters, mountain bikers and backpackers. Keep your eye out for arches. Rafting the Green River should be on everybody’s bucket list.
Zion Canyon, the defining feature of Zion National Park, will take your breath away. Some of the canyon walls are almost three thousand feet high. The Narrows, a tight winding section of the canyon, is popular with backpackers. It is only open for travel seasonally due to the risk of flash floods. Bring a camera and travel with caution.
The Grand Canyon is actually not the deepest canyon in the United States. That honor goes to Hell’s Canyon, a wide canyon in the Pacific Northwest carved by the Snake River. The area is noted for its diversity of terrain, true solitude and spectacular scenery. Located in the middle of some of America’s most beautiful mountain ranges, the canyon is home to a 214,000-acre wilderness area. The Seven Devils Loop is a popular 27-mile jaunt for backpackers along the canyon around the adjacent Seven Devils mountain range.
These desert canyons contain the most popular backpacking loop in Death Valley National Park. Water management is tricky on the 32-mile trail as backpackers travel both canyons. The Cottonwood/Marble Loop is a true test of stamina, and conditions become extreme in the warmer months.
This spectacular canyon is located near the Colorado border and Taos, New Mexico. The water levels of the Chama River Canyon are sadly dictated by a dam upstream but it can usually be rafted or kayaked. While the river itself is a wilderness area, there’s a nearby Forest Service Road so the area sees a fair amount of use. Horseback riding, hiking and rafting are all the big activities here.
This canyon may have one of the highest concentrations of hung-over rock climbers in the world due to its proximity to Las Vegas. With a ton of varied and well-established routes, rock climbing is the main draw here, but there are plenty of day hikes. If you are an excellent trad climber, try Cloud Tower (5.12-). In the winter, it’s an excellent place to clear mind and body after a night spent on the Vegas Strip by trail running (too hot in the summer).
The canyon known as “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” was formed partially by bad agricultural practices during the industrial revolution. The park containing Providence Canyon is only about two square miles and it’s not nearly as deep as the other canyons on this list, but it has a few backcountry campsites and plenty of hiking. “Grand” might be an overstatement, though it’s certainly pleasant. Plus, it’s on the East Coast
