Most Visited NPS Units in the Southwest: 3, Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon rivals Yellowstone to be the most famous national park in the world. It is the second most visited national park in the US (after the Great Smoky Mountains), and contains 277 miles of the Colorado River together with many, branched tributary canyons; a lifetime could be spent exploring. The river flows up to a mile below the rim, enclosed by cliffs and benches, formed of sedimentary rocks in a great range of colors. Ninety percent of visitors come only to the South Rim, viewable along a 30 mile scenic drive; the North Rim is more remote, and closed by snow for half the year, while the vast area of wilderness, far from any road, is very little explored. The river is also a popular rafting destination.

2014 Visitation: 4,756,771
Grand Canyon National Park - full description