by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 4:00 AM ET, Tue August 18, 2015
All photos courtesy of Wikimedia commons.
When it's in your yard, a hole in the ground is more a tripping hazard than anything else. But if you get that hole big enough, like canyon size let's say, an inkling of a view can raise your property values immensely. The deepest holes in the country also make for some of the most beautiful sightseeing as well. Consider a fall trip before the weather gets too cold, or consider a visit in the springtime to see the canyons come back to life with spectacular flora. Here are a few of the deepest and most beautiful canyons in the country.
The Grand Canyon - Arizona
The Grand Canyon is the most famous canyon in the country and for good reason: it is the longest canyon in the world at 277 miles in length. It can range from 600 feet to 18 miles wide and it gets as deep as 6,093 feet. For 17 million years, the Colorado River has been carving the canyon into what it is today. Over five million people visit every year and in addition to taking in the sights, rafting, hiking, camping, and touring are all popular.
Palo Duro Canyon - Texas
Located in the panhandle of Texas near the town of Amarillo, the Palo Duro Canyon is about 70 miles long and has an average width of six miles. Average depth is about 820 feet and the name means "hard stick" in Spanish. Cabin rentals, tent and RV sites with water and electricity are available. There are hiking and mountain bike trails, on-site horse rentals, picnic tables and grills, a gift shop and an interpretive center with exhibits.
Glen Canyon - Utah and Arizona
Like the Grand Canyon, the Glen Canyon was also formed by the Colorado River. The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses more than 1.2 million acres and contains Lake Powell, which was created by the damming of the river with the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. A wide variety of activities are available including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, and camping.
Coyote Buttes - Utah and Arizona
The Coyote Buttes are a part of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area and are an "exposure of cross-bedded Aeolian Jurassic Navajo Sandstone." Hiking is the main activity here of course, next to the sightseeing of the geological formations. The "Wave" is probably the most sought-out formation and certainly one of the most photographed. Advance permits are required to hike and there is no camping in the immediate area.
Waimea Canyon - Hawaii
Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water", which comes from the color of the canyon's soil. The Waimea Canyon was formed by a combination of erosion and a collapse of the volcano that created Kauai. The state park that the canyon lies within is popular for hiking, trout fishing and seasonal pig and goat hunting! This is one place on Hawaii that will make you forget that you are on an island.
There are certainly other great canyons across the country. Where is your favorite place to go? Let me know in the comments below.
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