Southeastern Arizona features a beautiful expanse of land that includes a famous cave known as Colossal Cave. The Colossal Cave Mountain Park can be visited and toured every day, and visitors will learn about the rich, natural and human history of the land and cave system. Learn more about this popular and unforgettable site by reading below.
The Park
Colossal Cave Mountain Park is a popular destination for locals and tourists wishing to picnic, camp, horseback ride, and hike. The park also features the La Posta Quemada Ranch Museum and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum for visitors to learn more about the history of the land and the recent history of conserving the park for future generations. Visitors can also see “The Cowboy,” which is a bronze sculpture of Buck McCain and meant to recognize the park’s ranching history.
The Cave
Colossal Cave is often described as “dead,” because it is no longer formed by water deposits of limestone. Due to its “dead” nature, Colossal Cave can be toured regularly and many formations can be touched by visitors. Nearby “living” caves—such as Arkenstone Cave and Sierra Vista’s Kartchner Caverns—must be specially preserved and regulated to avoid stunting any growth. Colossal Cave was regularly used by local Native American tribes from 900 to 1450 AD, and it was eventually rediscovered in 1879 by the owner of a nearby hotel. The cave was used to collect bat guano for many years, and it is now used to educate visitors about the park, local legends and history, and the formation of caves. Tours are given daily and take about 45 minutes to complete.
