Colossal Cave, Vail, AZ
Posted by: 
Poehunters
N 32° 03.726 W 110° 38.014
12S E 534588 N 3547377
Caves and caverns are exciting, mysterious places to explore. Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Tucson, Arizona is a dry cave, and home to bats, stalactites, and at one point in time, Hohokam Indians.
Waymark Code: WMHQ05
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 08/02/2013
Views: 27
A tour through Colossal Cave is by itself an attention-grabbing experience where natural formations were formed over millions of years. The stalactites, stalagmites and majestic columns were created by slow-seeping ground water through the limestone ceilings. As arid conditions evolved, Colossal Cave became totally dry , stopping the growth of new formations. Interestingly, although outside summer temperatures can become quite high in the desert area, the temperature inside Colossal Cave is always a cool 70 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
Colossal Cave has never been fully explored. Although there are an estimated 39 miles of cave tunnels, it took over two years to map just two miles of passageway where tours penetrate six stories deep into the cave. Visitors can choose from ongoing daily “generic tours” or can arrange more adventurous tours through darkened more narrow passages requiring hardhats and good physical fitness. There are even “candlelight tours” where each visitor is given a lighted candle to experience the cave as the Hohokam did over a thousand years ago without electric-powered lights.
Officially, Colossal Cave was discovered by Soloman Lick in 1879. While searching for stray cows on the vast ranch, he accidentally came upon its narrow opening. That same entrance has been enlarged within a modern setting that overlooks the panoramic views of La Posta Quemada Ranch into over 2,000 acres of Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
There are actually two caves. The first of course is Colossal Cave which visitors tour daily. The other is “Arkenstone”, a “live cave” which continues to grow formations. Arkenstone has been designated a research site and access is limited to only scientific researchers.
website: (
visit link)
PARK HOURS:
Summer hours (March 16 - September 15)
Daily: 8am-5pm
Winter hours (September 16 - March 15)
Daily: 9am-5pm