Carved into the land over millennia by ancient waterways, canyons and gorges are some of the West’s most emblematic formations. Through them, we can trace time, glimpse into the past, and marvel at Mother Nature’s never-ending impact on the earth below our feet. For many, the Grand Canyon might be what first comes to mind, but the West has so much more to offer.
First, an important distinction: What’s the difference between a canyon and a gorge, you might ask? The answer is simple. A canyon is wider than it is deep, and a gorge is deeper than it is wide. This distinction is made abundantly clear at Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City.
Royal Gorge is home to “America’s Highest Suspension Bridge,” situated 956 feet above the Arkansas River, which has shaped the gorge for millions of years. Royal Gorge reaches a width of about 300 feet, although the bridge spans farther than that. The park itself is 360 acres and features the Cloudscraper Zip Line, spanning from one side of the gorge to the other; the Royal Rush Skycoaster, which swings thrill seekers face-down over the gorge; and the wheelchair-friendly Aerial Gondola, which glides 2,200 feet across the gorge at a height of 1,200 feet. A gift shop, exhibits, and a place to dine can all be found in the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park Visitor Center. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.
At Utah’s Zion National Park, The Narrows is—as the name suggests—the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. Here, the gorge walls are about 1,000 feet tall, while the river at the bottom only spans 20 to 30 feet in width. Tourgoers can explore The Narrows up close and personal during their visit to the park by hiking the 1-mile Riverside Walk. This paved, wheelchair-accessible pathway begins at the Temple of Sinawava, a natural amphitheater that can be reached via shuttle.
Credit: Adobe/Massimo Pizzotti
In Page, Arizona, groups can opt for a guided tour of the iconic Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon Tours offers two guided packages: the “Upper Antelope Canyon Tour” and the “Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour.” Both are roughly a mile, last under two hours, are suitable for a wide range of ages, and feature several unforgettable photo ops. The Upper Canyon is more accessible, according to Antelope Canyon Tours. Unlike Royal Gorge or The Narrows, Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, meaning it was formed by water that made its way through fissures in bedrock. The result is a small-but-otherworldly labyrinth of striated walls that form pathways illuminated by shafts of brilliant sunlight.
The desert isn’t the only place to find these fascinating geological formations. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, on the border between Washington and Oregon, is an ecological powerhouse comprising thunderous waterfalls, wind-swept bluffs, verdant forests, and sweeping vistas. Ideal for hiking, wildlife spotting, or simple sightseeing, this 80-mile-long river gorge reaches depths of 4,000 feet and spans from Portland to The Dalles, Oregon.
Waimea Canyon State Park, on the western side of Hawaii’s Kaua’i island, is another breathtaking destination to explore colorful scenery. Dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon stretches 14 miles, at times reaching a mile in width and depths of 3,600 feet. The park’s scenic drive, picturesque outlooks, and wildland picnic areas are all ADA accessible, and the park’s many hiking trails range in difficulty level, from beginner to advanced.
With every breath, Mother Nature molds and remolds the dynamic world around us—sometimes over millions of years, sometimes in the blink of an eye. Natural formations like canyons and gorges fall firmly in the former camp, but that doesn’t make them any less remarkable. Add a visit to a canyon or gorge to your next Western itinerary for an experience that blends awe-inspiring geology, breathtaking views, and a deep connection to the ancient forces that continue to shape our planet today.
By Madeline Fuerstenberg
Main Image: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Cañon City, Colorado; Credit: Adobe/Chris
