Whether you are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon or are just visiting it, there are a few interesting facts about this natural wonder that you should know. The canyon is a 277-mile-long, 10-mile-wide gorge in Arizona, and it averages one mile deep. This natural formation is famous for its layered bands of red rock, which reveal the geological history of the area.

Skywalk

Designed by Las Vegas businessman David Jin, the Skywalk in Grand Canyon is a glass-bottomed bridge that reaches a height of 120 feet. It is the highest glass structure in the world. The glass used in the construction is six layers of hyper-resistant glass and it's shaped like an "U". It's anchored deep in red limestone bedrock with eight pillars.

The aforementioned glass-bottomed bridge is located in the Hualapai Indian Reservation on the west side of the Grand Canyon. The Skywalk's floor is made entirely of glass, and is 2.5 inches thick. It's also the largest cantilever glass bridge in the world.

Air quality

Despite being the cleanest air in the United States, the Grand Canyon is not immune to air pollution. The Canyon is located in the northwest corner of Arizona near the Utah and Nevada border. The Park Service is monitoring the air quality at the Canyon and keeping a database of it.

Atmospheric particulates, or PM10, are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. They are a concern to human health because they can reduce visibility and have a harmful impact on respiratory health.

Ozone is a prominent air pollutant. It is a reddish-brown gas that has a sharp odor. It is formed from the emission of pollutants such as motor vehicle exhaust.

Invertebrates

Hundreds of species of invertebrates inhabit the Grand Canyon. These insects are often prey for other animals, such as bats, birds, and lizards. They are also important components of the ecosystem. Many are pollinators.

Invertebrates in the Grand Canyon are a key component of the river ecosystem. They include the ants, spiders, and other scavengers. They are also food for fishes. Some of the species in the river are venomous. Some of the reptiles in the Grand Canyon are endangered. In addition, there are numerous species of scorpions and venomous snakes.

The biggest animal in the Grand Canyon is the Desert Bighorn Sheep. They have a wingspan of 9.5 feet and weigh about 130 kg. They are considered a wild animal, but not native to the area. They were imported from Yellowstone National Park.

Helicopter Alley

Hundreds of helicopters fly into Heli Alley at the Grand Canyon every day. This pristine corner of the park is a magnet for tourists, who want to see this majestic natural wonder by air.

Papillon Helicopters offers a variety of tours to the Grand Canyon. Their tours include round-trip transportation from most Las Vegas hotels, as well as a champagne toast at the top of the rim. The helicopters are rigged with panoramic windows that allow passengers to enjoy the spectacular views.

One of the most popular helicopter tours from Las Vegas is the Grand Canyon West tour, which flies over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and the Vegas Strip. It includes a 30-minute picnic and sparkling wine. It also includes multilingual narration and music.

Mules

Taking a mule ride into the Grand Canyon is an experience like no other. Those who take one have the chance to view the majestic beauty of the Canyon in a way that only prehistoric Indians could.

Before tourism took off, travelers used mules to make the journey into the canyon. The National Park Service offers year-round mule tours on both the North and South Rims. There are a few mule ride options available for visitors, but the best are operated by Xanterra.

For those who are interested in an overnight trip, Xanterra operates the Phantom Ranch. This location is a five-hour drive from the South Rim and offers a lodge with bunk beds, a family-style dinner and breakfast. Riders spend the night at the lodge and head back to the South Rim in the morning.

Havasu Falls

Located within the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. It is also one of the most difficult waterfalls to access. This is due to the fact that the falls are on tribal land of the Havasupai Indian Tribe.

The Havasupai have inhabited the lands of the Grand Canyon for over 800 years. They are related to the Yuman people and are traditionally considered guardians of the Grand Canyon. The Havasupai are the only Native American tribe inside the Grand Canyon.

The Havasu Creek is a tributary of the Colorado River. It contains naturally occurring magnesium and calcium carbonate. This is what gives the water at the falls a turquoise color.

Taking Grand Canyon excursions with a guide is a great way to see the sights in the park and learn about the history and geology of the area. There are many different types of tours, including jeep, mule, and helicopter rides. If you want to do more than just see the canyon, you can also choose a basecamp hiking tour, a river float tour, or a biking tour.

The Grand Canyon is a very large park and can take a week to fully explore. If you don't have time to stay overnight, there are day hikes for all experience levels. These tours include transportation, water, lunch, and a professional guide. You can also purchase a Skywalk ticket for an experience without a guide.

Some of the best places to view the sunrise are along the Rim Trail. You should arrive at least an hour before the sun rises. If you don't have a lot of time to spend, you can skip the skywalk and simply walk along the rim.

During the summer months, the Grand Canyon Rangers may offer guided walks. These tours will give you an overview of the park, as well as some of the Navajo Nation areas. You can also visit the Hopi House, a landmark on the South Rim. It was built in 1904 and was designed to look like a traditional Hopi pueblo. It is also a good place to see Native American arts and crafts.