Established in 1919, Grand Canyon National Park has a legacy as rich and impressive as the canyon itself. Its magnificent terrain has been sculpted by geological processes over millennia, peeling back layers of Earth’s history. The canyon area is rich with cultural value because it has been inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years, including the Havasupai and Hualapai.

European settlers and explorers in the 19th century brought widespread recognition to the canyon’s stunning scenery. John Wesley Powell and other environmentalists understood its priceless nature and fought to keep it that way. As a result of President Theodore Roosevelt’s efforts to preserve the environment, the area was declared a national park and will be preserved for future generations.

The park’s geological features and environmental diversity have formed a setting for field research and recreational activities. It is emblematic of the rise of green values and activism in the United States. A book detailing the history of the Grand Canyon would tell a tale of natural forces, human relationships, and the never-ending search to better understand, respect, and conserve one of the world’s most recognizable landscapes.