The Grand Canyon offers a rich and diverse fossil record, a vast array of geologic features and rock types, and numerous caves. The canyon contains several major ecosystems present from Mexico to Canada including the Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Transition, Canadian, and Hudsonian.

The Grand Canyon is also home to 1,500 plant, 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, and 17 fish species.

Location:
Both the South Rim and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are about a four and half hour drive from Las Vegas.

South Rim - Directions
278 miles / 447 kilometers
- Take Highway 93 south to I-40.
- Take I-40 east to Highway 64.
- Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.

North Rim - Directions
275 miles/ 443 kilometers
- Drive north on I-15 for 128 miles/ 206 km, just past St. George, UT to Rt 9.
- Drive east on Rt 9 for 10 miles/ 16 km to Rt 59.
- Continue east on Rt 59 for 32 miles/ 51 km. (At the Utah/Arizona state line, the highway changes to Rt 389).
- Continue east on Rt 389 for 33 miles/ 53 km to the junction with US 89a.
- Continue east on US 89a for 30/ miles 48 km. to the junction with Rt 67.
- Drive south on Rt 67 for 43 miles/ 70 km directly to the North Rim.