Canyon Diablo, Natural canyon in Coconino County, Arizona.
Canyon Diablo is a natural canyon in northern Arizona formed by steep rock walls and layered geological formations that cut through the desert landscape. The waterway that carved it has exposed colorful rock layers spanning millions of years of geological history.
Lieutenant Amiel Weeks Whipple discovered and named Canyon Diablo in December 1853 during a survey expedition along the 35th parallel. His work was part of early American efforts to map and understand the western territories.
The canyon's name comes from Spanish, while the Navajo people call it Kin Łigaaí, showing the layered linguistic heritage of the region. You can see this cultural blend reflected in how local communities and maps reference the same place differently.
Access to Canyon Diablo comes through dirt roads from Interstate 40, and you need a vehicle with good clearance to navigate them safely. Check local conditions before heading out, as weather and road quality can change based on the season.
The canyon's name comes from the Canyon Diablo meteorite, which created the nearby Meteor Crater thousands of years ago through its impact. This cosmic connection often goes unnoticed by visitors, yet it ties the canyon to one of the region's most dramatic geological events.
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