Strange Facts About the Grand Canyon

Yes, you know it’s the largest canyon in the world.

And it was formed by the Colorado River slowly carving it out over time.

But I bet you didn’t know THESE facts about the Grand Canyon! Read on to learn a few new things about the U.S.’s second most visited National Park. You might be surprised.

If you are planning a trip to the park, definitely read 5 Mistakes Visitors Make at the Grand Canyon.

MANY People Have Died Here

And they’ve died in bizarre ways. If you’ve ever visited, you can imagine all the visitors who accidentally fell in while trying to get that perfect photo. There are guard rails only in a few main areas, and that doesn’t stop people from hopping over the fence anyway.

The majority of the rim is wide open. So, watch out!

But it gets pretty macabre after that. Dozens of people have committed suicide at the canyon and even murdered their spouses by pushing them over the edge. Cars have been accidentally backed in…and one gunned it to drive straight in like Thelma and Louise!

Not to mention all the tragedies like employee accidents, lightning deaths or rare wildlife attacks. There’s a book that details deaths at the canyon if you’re interested in hearing all the unusual stories.

Watch Out for Squirrel Attacks

Although there are sharp-clawed mountain lions, coyote packs and enormous bison in the park, the most dangerous animal at the Grand Canyon is the rock squirrel. The tiny rodent is known for being ferocious and biting with little provocation. Sometimes all it takes is pointing at them to warrant an attack, according to park officials.

Unfortunately, the squirrels live and are active exactly when and where park visitors tend to be. They like to approach as you sit down for a break or snack. It’s tempting to toss a cracker or cookie their way to get an adorable photo for your insta. But back away if they get too close!

A few years ago, there was a rash of people being attacked as they tried to take selfies with squirrels. The park started the #safeselfie campaign to educate the public on the best way to photograph wildlife while avoiding painful bites and scratches.

Besides the bite’s discomfort, squirrels may infect victims with diseases such as Hantavirus, rabies or Bubonic plague. That’s definitely not the Grand Canyon souvenir you want to take home.

Brush up on your wildlife viewing tips here. Hint: Keep 15 feet away from small animals and use a zoom lens for safety.

Check out the 7 Best Family Vacation Spots in the U.S. if you’re looking for a great place to take the kids for a trip.

A Restaurant Operates at the Canyon’s Floor

Did you know there is a restaurant at the bottom of the canyon? And you have to put your order in months ahead of time!

The Phantom Ranch Canteen serves breakfast and dinner to hungry adventurers hiking or rafting through the Grand Canyon. You can also purchase a sack lunch to-go. They have two seatings per meal, and reservations must be made well in advance. You choose your food when you make your reservation.

Of course, it’s not easy to get the food in and out of the canyon. A steak dinner will set you back $51. But supposedly the food tastes much better than at home, after all the exertion getting there. And knowing what a luxury it is to indulge in a hearty meal so far from civilization.

There’s a Post Office Inside the Canyon, and Mules Deliver the Mail

On the canyon floor, beyond the national park line, is the Supai village where the Havasupai Indian tribe lives. They have a U.S. post office, which receives mail regularly. But not by a mail truck, helicopter or airplane…by mule train.

Six days a week, a team of mules heads down into the canyon with letters and packages. They also serve nearby Phantom Ranch, where hikers love to send postcards that get marked “mailed by mule!”

Since Supai is so isolated, much of their mail is actually food deliveries. Two separate mule teams take turns trekking down into the canyon; they only work every other day. It takes three hours to go down and five hours to head back up to the top.

The last post office before the journey is Peach Springs, AZ. It has a walk-in freezer, the only post office in the U.S. to have one, to help keep food cold before it gets sent down into the canyon.

Get some valuable camping tips and info in Why You Should Go Camping for Your Vacation This Summer.

It Attracts a Very International Crowd

One of my favorite things about the Grand Canyon is the great diversity of visitors in the park. It’s not uncommon to hear multiple languages all around you as you hike, picnic and snap those gorgeous photos.

The canyon is one of the natural seven wonders of the world and an international tourist destination. Six million people visit annually. And few places in the states seem to have the world-wide pull that the canyon does. (Maybe including the Disney parks, NYC and Las Vegas?)

Once, our family was on the park’s shuttle bus when we heard four men speaking Hebrew near us. We struck up a conversation with them since we’d lived in Israel, and they told us they had traveled all the way from the Middle East to go on a road trip along Route 66.

It’s humbling to meet visitors from other nations who’ve seen more of your country than you have. (Although it sure is a big country!)

The North Rim is Practically Abandoned During Winter

The North Rim is closed from mid-October to mid-April due to severe winter weather. But someone must stay behind to watch over the facilities, à la The Shining. The Grand Canyon Lodge is eerily silent and empty, but for a few employees assigned caretaker duties during the winter months.

The only way in and out is by snowmobile, and it takes about four days to get to the nearest town and back. Many preparations must be made to keep the lodge and its few residents safe and fully supplied.

The North Rim has elevations reaching more than 8,000 feet. The area averages 11 ft. of snow but has gotten as much as almost 23 ft. in 1978. And consistently cold temps keep the snow in place for the duration.

It’s not a job for the faint of heart. However, internet access keeps caretakers in touch with the outside world. So hopefully, no one goes crazy!

If you’re hoping to take a trip to the Grand Canyon soon, try the tips in How to Save Money So You Can Travel More to help get your travel fun going.

Mexico Has a Canyon That’s BIGGER and DEEPER!

Ok, so it’s not technically comparing apples to apples, as the Grand Canyon (a single canyon) is the largest in the world. But Copper Canyon, which is actually six connected canyons, is altogether four times larger than the Grand Canyon.

It’s a fascinating place, with cascading waterfalls, green vegetation (fruit trees grow at the bottom) and hot springs. An indigenous tribe, the Ramamuri, lives inside the canyon. They populate several small cities that can serve as a jumping-off point for your hike, camping trip or guided burro ride.

There is also a train locally called El Chepe that travels through the canyons. You can take a 7-day tour with many stops to visit local sights. The nearest city is Chihuahua City, in the state of Chihuahua, in northern Mexico. I have seen Copper Canyon, and it was pretty great. But not GRAND.

I hope you enjoyed learning some strange facts about the Grand Canyon. Do you have any other info I didn’t mention that you think should be shared? I’m all ears! Leave a comment below.