Canyon Diablo was named by U.S. Army Lieutenant Amiel Weeks Whipple.

Whipple, of the Army's Topographical Engineers, made a survey in 1853–1854 along the 35th parallel.

In mid-December 1853, Whipple found a steep canyon while riding west from a point near Winslow with a reconnaissance party.

The canyon passes three miles (5 km) west of Meteor Crater.

[4] The BNSF Canyon Diablo railroad bridge is a well-known railfan site.