🗺️ The deepest canyons in the world: where to go and what to see

Grand Canyon in Arizona runs along the Colorado River for 446 km (as of 09/2026, U.S. National Park Service). It is the most famous canyon on the planet, but not the only one worth rerouting your trip for. Half of the canyons on our list can realistically be seen in a single day.

We picked seven canyons on four continents: from Charyn in Kazakhstan to Colca in Peru. For each one you will find its length and depth, its main highlight, and practical details: how to get there, where to view it, and when to go. We verified the numbers on 09/14/2026 on official park websites and in reference articles.

How a canyon differs from a gorge

A canyon is formed by water, a volcano, or tectonic movement. A river cuts through soft rock layers for millions of years, so the walls stay nearly vertical. There is almost always a river or its dry bed at the bottom. A gorge is also a narrow valley with steep slopes, but it usually lies in the mountains. A canyon more often cuts through a plateau, so its rim is level and the floor lies deep below.

💡 In short:

Look at accessibility, not ratings: every canyon on the list has developed viewing platforms.
Check the weather before heading out: after heavy rain, narrow canyons get closed and trails wash out.

The most canyons are in the United States, but major formations exist in Peru, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Hawaii. Depth is measured in different ways: from the rim to the river or to the lowest point of the plateau. That is why numbers vary between authors. For comparison, you need a single number from a single source.

Size is not the main thing here. Colca is deeper than the Grand Canyon, but the road to the viewpoint takes half a day. Charyn is smaller, but you can reach it from the city in a couple of hours. Pick a canyon based on the time you are willing to spend.

Canyon rock walls and a concrete bridge pier

1. Charyn Canyon

Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan is called the Grand Canyon's little brother. It stretches for 154 km, and the entrance is about 200 km from Almaty (as of 09/2026, Charyn Canyon on Wikipedia). One day is enough here: the route along the canyon floor takes three to four hours.

The walls are made of sedimentary rock, and their age is measured in millions of years. The depth reaches up to 300 m in places (as of 09/2026, Charyn Canyon portal). A national park covering 127,050 hectares spreads around the canyon.

How to get there: from Almaty by bus or car.
Main highlight: a grove of relict ash trees that survived the ice age.

Arrive in the morning. In the first half of the day there are fewer tour groups at the viewpoints, and you will still have time to descend to the river. If you are traveling independently, allow extra time for the drive and bring water.

2. Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon on the island of Kauai is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is about 16 km long and reaches a depth of 910 m (as of 09/2026, Waimea Canyon State Park on Wikipedia). The walls here were carved by more than just flowing water: a collapse exposed a volcano, and the Waimea River widened the crack.

Waimea Canyon panorama with multicolored slopes

The park around the canyon is protected, with trails laid out inside and viewing platforms built along the rim. Some routes lead to Waipo'o Falls, others head into forest reserves on neighboring ridges (as of 09/2026, official park website). The uphill trails are longer and steeper than they look on the map.

Bring water, a rain jacket, and a map. Cell service drops off once you head deeper into the island. The climb back up takes twice as long as the descent, so you should start in the morning.

3. Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon in Peru is considered one of the deepest in the world: from rim to floor it is about 3,270 m, and from Arequipa to the entrance is roughly 160 km (as of 09/2026, Colca Canyon on Wikipedia). It competes for the top spot in rankings with neighboring Peruvian gorges, where depth is measured differently.

The walls were carved by two volcanoes, Hualca Hualca and the active Sabancaya. People still live on the slopes in terraced villages, and Andean condors with wingspans up to 3 m circle above the canyon (as of 09/2026, Arequipa tourism portal).

If you are going down, split the descent and the climb back up over two days: the elevation gain is harder than it looks. Bring a headlamp and a warm layer, as evenings on the canyon floor are cool.

4. Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon in South Africa lies in the Drakensberg Mountains and is considered the third largest in the world. It is 26 km long, and the protected area around it covers 26,946 hectares (as of 09/2026, official Mpumalanga parks website).

Blyde River Canyon panorama with green slopes and people

This is the greenest canyon on the planet: the slopes are covered in subtropical forest, and red sandstone is visible only in the gaps. Viewing platforms line the Panorama Route, so the canyon is easy to see on the way between the province's waterfalls and gorges.

Bring rain gear. In the mountains, the weather can change within an hour. The platforms are windy, and at midday the sun creates harsh shadows. For photos, you are better off choosing morning or evening.

5. Glen Canyon

Glen Canyon lies in Utah and Arizona, with most of the canyon in Utah. It surrounds Lake Powell. This long gorge begins right behind the dam and cuts deep into the plateau, while the shores are part of a recreation area covering several thousand square kilometers.

Red Glen Canyon with a bridge and power line towers

There is everything here for a day on the water: a sightseeing ferry, boat rentals, water skiing, jet skis, and fishing in the bays. Those who do not take a boat can walk the trails along the rim and view the canyon from overlooks near the dam.

If you want quiet, pick a bay away from the main marina. There are fewer boats there and better views of the cliffs. Get on the water in the morning: by afternoon the wind picks up and waves appear.

6. Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon in Arizona is narrow and lets in almost no light. You can only enter with a licensed Navajo guide, so tickets are bought in advance for a specific time slot. The best light for photos comes in the middle of the day, when the sun breaks through the gaps above.

Wavy sandstone walls of Antelope Canyon in light and shadow

The walls are carved from sandstone, and the color shifts from orange to purple. The crevices are so narrow that the group walks in single file. The canyon is not part of a national park: the land belongs to the Navajo Nation, and the rules here are set by the tribe, not the National Park Service.

How to visit: only as part of a guided tour with a Navajo guide, entry is paid.
The catch: in high season, slots sell out in advance, and arriving late for your time is not refunded.

Leave your tripod and extra lenses in the car: the crevice is dusty, and the group is rushed. Pay attention to your clothing and wear closed-toe shoes. The sand on the floor is loose.

7. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a national park and the largest canyon on the planet. It is 446 km long, with an average depth of about 1.6 km, and the surrounding park covers 493,059 hectares (as of 09/2026, US National Park Service statistics).

Grand Canyon cliffs in golden dawn light

The canyon is divided into north and south rims, and driving between them takes several hours by highway. The South Rim is the more popular choice: it has more viewpoints, and visitor centers operate year-round.

The canyon became a national park in the early 20th century, and it was made famous by President Theodore Roosevelt, who hunted in the area. Plan at least a full day for the park: the distances between viewpoints are significant, and the free shuttles save you time on parking.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which canyon on the list is the longest?

The Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. The second longest on our list is Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan, at 154 km (as of 09/2026, Charyn Canyon on Wikipedia). The other canyons are noticeably shorter, though some surpass both in depth.

Where can't you go without a guide?

Antelope Canyon. It is not a national park but Navajo tribal land, so entry is only possible as part of a tour with a licensed guide and a ticket for a specific time slot. Rebooking a tour on site is not always possible.

Why do depth figures for canyons vary so much?

It all depends on the reference point, and sources choose it differently. That is why Colca Canyon in Peru is listed at both 3,270 m and larger values (as of 09/2026, Colca Canyon on Wikipedia).

Where can you see condors?

Over Colca Canyon in Peru. The birds circle in the morning, when the air warms up and thermals form. A viewpoint on the canyon rim is usually included in a day tour from Arequipa.

In short: what to book

Here you book access, not a hotel. If you have one day in Arizona, take a slot at Antelope Canyon and get to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you are planning a route through South Africa, put Blyde River Canyon on the same day as the Panorama Route.

If you want trekking, choose Colca: the canyon floor lies far below the rim, so the descent and ascent are split over two days. For a short trip from the city, Charyn is enough, and for a canyon by the ocean, Waimea on Kauai fits the bill.

Before you go, check the opening hours and rules on the official park websites. They change by season, and some trails close after rain. Start with the US National Park Service summary and the Hawaii parks page.

7 Canyons of the world: length, depth and main viewing platforms