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Colossal cave park11/22/2023 ![]() ![]() Even without a stash of gold, though, Colossal Cave is a treasure worth seeing.Ĭolossal Cave Mountain Park is located at 16721 E. ![]() If they did, he said, it's never been found, and park personnel have extensively explored the cave. Our tour guide addressed one popular legend: that bandits hid a stash of gold somewhere in Colossal Cave. More extensive tours that utilize CCC ladders and rock-climbing techniques also are available. The basic tour, on which we were joined by three others on a rainy Sunday morning, follows a half-mile loop and includes information about the cave's history, geology and legends. CCC crews also built the walkways inside the cavern, where the temperature stays in the low 70s year-round. Many of its rock formations were broken off to be sold as curiosities.īut Colossal Cave is still a spectacular place to visit, starting with the above-ground facilities constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. In contrast, Colossal Cave was used for storage by the Hohokam people about a century ago, and after white men discovered it in the late 1800s, it became a hideout for bandits and a target for treasure hunters. No one had ventured into Kartchner Caverns before its discovery in the 1970s, and its designation as a state park has kept it in pristine condition. ![]() The other big difference is the caves' human histories. Do to unforeseen circumstances, we had to shut down food service for a few daysI am very sorry your visit coincided with that. We are delighted you enjoyed the Cave tour. Thank you for posting a review of the Park. Colossal Cave no longer has water flowing, although it's not technically a "dead" cave - a bit of monsoon runoff trickled into the cave this summer, the first time that's happened in 12 years, our guide said. ColossalFun, Park Director at Colossal Cave Mountain Park, responded to this review Responded December 14, 2011. For one, water continues to flow into Kartchner Caverns, meaning that cave's rock formations continue to grow. On an hourlong tour past the cave's stalactites, stalagmites and other unique formations, we learned while Colossal Cave is similar to Kartchner Caverns in many ways, there also are important differences between the two caverns. Having visited Kartchner Caverns State Park last year, we decided to check out another well-known cavern in the area: Colossal Cave Mountain Park, located east of Tucson. Bring your own lunch or eat before you come because services near the cave are limited.On the way back from a recent Arizona Highways assignment in Southeastern Arizona, my wife and I were looking for something to do in the Tucson area. Also outside Tucson, this is less than an hour away. A cotton, long sleeve t-shirt that tucks in is also a good idea along with appropriate shoes or boots. I didn't have them and wished I had as the dust was irritating my eyes by the end of the tour. If you wear contacts, I would recommend clear safety goggles. ![]() I used some gardening type gloves I have with padded palms. You are also welcome to take photos in Colossal! If you plan to do one of the adventure tours such as The Ladders, bring a pair of gloves. It's not the pristine, spectacular beauty of Kartchner, but here you can don a helmet and crawl around in tunnels - something you can't do at Kartchner. Colossal was also discovered a long time ago and the paths were put in back in the 1930's so there has been damage to the formations. The main difference is that where Kartchner Caverns is LIVING, Colossal has been dead for eons. I wouldn't bother with the "regular tour" especially if you have visited Kartchner Caverns. It's also a bit challenging and very dusty so expect to end up dirty, sweaty and likely sporting a few scrapes and bruises. Our guide, Brian Pittaway gave us our helmets complete with lamps and took us on a 1 1/2 hour adventure! This is a physical outing not for those who may be claustrophobic. If you have always wanted to go "spelunking", then schedule the Ladders Tour at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. ![]()
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