Carved out by the San Rafael River millions of years ago, the Little Grand Canyon — while not as well known or as big as its namesake in Arizona — provides magnificent views on a more compact scale. Located in the San Rafael Swell, the reddish rock walls that line the canyon trace a path through 40 to 60 million years of history. Standing on the rim of the canyon at sunrise or sunset, or beneath a glittering basin of stars, you can feel the timelessness of this place and the canyon cracks, towers and bends each tell a story from long ago.. 04/17/21