The Grand Canyon casts a long shadow. Its sheer scale and legendary status often dominate the conversation about canyon travel, leading many adventurers to overlook other geological masterpieces scattered across the globe. While the Grand Canyon is undeniably spectacular, limiting yourself to just one chasm means missing out on a world of diverse landscapes, from lush, green gorges filled with waterfalls to narrow, fiery-red slot canyons carved by flash floods. Expanding your horizons beyond Arizona reveals a collection of canyons that rival the famous national park in beauty, if not always in size.

Exploring these lesser-known canyons offers distinct advantages. You often encounter fewer crowds, allowing for a more intimate connection with nature. Whether you are looking for challenging treks that test your endurance or scenic drives that offer breathtaking vistas from the comfort of your car, there is a canyon out there perfectly suited to your travel style. This guide takes you on a journey to five exceptional canyons that deserve a spot on your bucket list, proving that the world is full of deep, dramatic places waiting to be discovered.

Waimea Canyon in Kauai Hawaii

Often called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon offers a visual feast that is starkly different from its desert counterparts. Located on the lush island of Kauai, this gorge stretches ten miles long and drops over 3,000 feet deep. What makes it truly unique is the vivid color palette; instead of just dry reds and oranges, you are treated to a vibrant mix of craggy red volcanic soil contrasted against lush green tropical vegetation. The interplay of light and shadow on the canyon walls, often accented by rainbows after a passing shower, creates a scene that feels almost prehistoric.

Exploring Waimea Canyon is accessible for all levels of adventurers. For those who prefer a relaxed visit, Waimea Canyon Drive provides numerous lookouts, such as the Pu’u Hinahina and Waimea Canyon Lookouts, offering panoramic views of the gorge stretching all the way to the ocean. Hikers can delve deeper via the Canyon Trail, which leads to the top of the stunning 800-foot Waipo’o Falls. The trail winds through native forests and along exposed ridges, providing vertigo-inducing views of the canyon floor. Be prepared for muddy conditions and changing weather, as the island's interior is one of the wettest spots on earth.

Antelope Canyon in Arizona

While geographically close to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon offers a completely different aesthetic experience. It is a slot canyon, meaning it is significantly deeper than it is wide, carved by centuries of water rushing through sandstone. This geological process has created smooth, flowing curves in the rock that look like petrified waves. The canyon is famous for its light beams, shafts of sunlight that penetrate the narrow openings at the top, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air and turning the walls into glowing shades of purple, orange, and gold. It is a photographer's dream and feels like stepping into a surreal art installation.

Because Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land, visiting requires booking a guided tour. There are two distinct sections: Upper Antelope Canyon, which is at ground level and easier to walk through, and Lower Antelope Canyon, which requires climbing down metal ladders into the earth. The Upper Canyon is more famous for the light beams, which are best seen during the midday hours in summer. The Lower Canyon is narrower and offers a more adventurous scramble. Regardless of which section you choose, the experience of walking through these towering, twisting corridors of stone is intimate and awe-inspiring.

Copper Canyon in Mexico

Buried deep in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains of northern Mexico lies the Copper Canyon, or Barranca del Cobre. It is actually a system of six distinct canyons which, when combined, are four times larger and significantly deeper than the Grand Canyon. The name comes from the copper-green hue of the canyon walls. Unlike the arid landscape of the American Southwest, the Copper Canyon ecosystem ranges from cool, pine-oak forests at the rim to subtropical fig and palm trees at the bottom. This biodiversity makes it a fascinating destination for nature lovers who want to see different climates in a single trip.

One of the best ways to experience this massive system is aboard the Chepe Express, a train that winds its way through the mountains, crossing 37 bridges and passing through 86 tunnels. The journey offers spectacular views that are otherwise inaccessible. For the more active traveler, the area is home to the Raramuri (Tarahumara) people, legendary for their long-distance running abilities. You can hike ancient trails connecting remote villages, zip-line across vast chasms at the Adventure Park in Divisadero, or take a cable car deep into the canyon. It is a rugged, culturally rich destination that offers true adventure.

Verdon Gorge in France

Europe’s answer to the Grand Canyon is the breathtaking Verdon Gorge in southeastern France. Carved by the turquoise waters of the Verdon River, this limestone canyon plunges over 2,000 feet deep and stretches for about 15 miles. The striking contrast between the sheer, white limestone cliffs and the startlingly blue water creates a landscape of immense beauty. It is a haven for rock climbers, who come from all over the world to scale the vertical walls, as well as for water sports enthusiasts who kayak, canoe, or paddleboard along the river at the canyon’s base.

The most popular way to view the gorge from above is by driving the Route des Crêtes, a scenic loop road that offers numerous dizzying viewpoints (belvederes) looking straight down into the chasm. For hikers, the Blanc-Martel trail is a classic route that takes you deep into the heart of the gorge. This challenging path involves navigating tunnels (bring a flashlight) and steep staircases, but it rewards you with intimate views of the river and the towering cliffs from below. Whether you are floating on the serene water or peering over the edge from a high ridge, the Verdon Gorge is a masterpiece of French geology.

Fish River Canyon in Namibia

As the largest canyon in Africa, Fish River Canyon is a colossal gash in the arid landscape of southern Namibia. It measures about 100 miles long, up to 17 miles wide, and over 1,800 feet deep. The scenery here is stark and dramatic, characterized by sharp bends in the river (which often flows only seasonally) and rugged, layered rock formations that glow fiery red at sunset. The utter silence and vastness of the landscape create a profound sense of isolation and grandeur that is hard to find elsewhere. It is a place where the earth feels ancient and raw.

For the ultimate challenge, the Fish River Canyon Hike is one of the most famous treks in Southern Africa. It is a multi-day backpacking journey that covers roughly 53 miles along the canyon floor, typically taking 4 to 5 days. Because there are no exits once you descend, hikers must be self-sufficient and physically fit. The trail is only open during the cooler months (May to September) to ensure safety. For those not looking to hike, the main viewpoint at Hobas offers spectacular panoramas of the canyon’s most famous feature, "Hell's Bend," providing a stunning perspective without the grueling trek.