Have you heard? There’s a little spot right here in Arizona that was recently named the best place to vacation in the country by U.S. News. It beat out more exotic locales like Maui and culture destinations like New York City. That place is none other than our beloved Grand Canyon. It came in at the top of the publisher’s lists for “Best Adventure Vacation in the USA,” “Best Spring Vacations,” “Best Family Vacations,” and, of course, “Best Place to Visit in the USA.”

For anyone who’s visited the national park, this is nothing new. But for those who have yet to visit: what are you waiting for? Here’s a few of our favorite reasons the Grand Canyon will always be the best destination in our hearts.

1. At the top of the list: the Grand Canyon is naturally beautiful and striking no matter the time of day. No need for Photoshop here.
Maarten Otto/Flickr
2. The history here—cultural, geological, architectural—runs deep. The popular story is that the Grand Canyon is 6 million years young but some scientists believe it may have even been carved as early as 70 million years ago. There are also more than 4,800 archaeological sites within and near the canyon.
Umberto De Peppo Cocco/Flickr
3. It's a family-friendly place! While you may not want to sit near the ledge with your kids, they can still participate in short hikes, mule rides, and camping.
Bob the Lomond/Flickr
4. This is an inspirational place. The Grand Canyon has acted as a muse for hundreds of books, poems, films, photos, and songs.
Anupam_ts/Flickr
5. The environment here is incredibly diverse. We have the stark, stone view of the canyon...
gengish skan/Flickr

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6. ...forested areas, especially on the North Rim...
wolf4max/Flickr
7. ...and the most beautiful oasis you will ever set your eyes on.
Jane Perez/Flickr
8. The hiking options here? Seemingly endless! There are dozens of trails in the national park, most of which are unmaintained primitive trails, and visitors tend to frequent a small fraction of the available trails.
Moyan Brenn/Flickr
9. If heart-racing adventure is what you’re seeking, you can also try out whiteriver rafting after treking down to the canyon’s floor. Talk about a once in a lifetime experience!
Alan English CPA/Flickr
10. You can definitely find seclusion here. Despite the crowds the park tends to get during the day on the South Rim (especially in summer), there are still areas where you can sit in solitude. Just you, the river, and the canyon.
Approaching Light/Flickr
11. No matter the time of day, the season, or how many previous visits you’ve made, seeing the Grand Canyon is a new experience each time.
Moyan Brenn/Flickr

Ah, such a gorgeous place! Want to visit another one of Arizona’s many canyons? We recommend reading about and checking out Canyon de Chelly!

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