Venture Nearly 300 Feet Deep Below The Earth At These One Of A Kind Caverns In Arizona
By Katie Lawrence|Published November 07, 2018
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Route 66 is chock-full of roadside attractions, but Grand Canyon Caverns just might be the most unique of them all. Venture 300 feet below the earth’s surface as you explore the largest dry cavern in the U.S. You can even enjoy a meal and spend the night underground!
A hidden gem in the vast desert landscape, Grand Canyon Caverns is situated atop an 800-acre plateau along historic Route 66. This roadside attraction is among the most unique in the world, with an expansive and complex underground labyrinth hiding 300 feet below the surface.
Whether you're an experienced spelunker or first-timer, everyone can enjoy the splendor of this amazing natural wonder. An elevator takes visitors down into the cavernous depths, and paved walkways allow for an easily accessible adventure.
Several different tours of varying lengths and difficulties are available, catering to a wide array of skill levels. From the quick and easy, 25-minute Short Tour to the 2.5-hour Explorer Tour that ventures off-trail into the deepest recesses of the caverns, rest-assured there's something for everyone.
Most people opt for the Standar Tour, which lasts about 45 minutes. After descending 21 stories, you'll embark on a 3/4-mile journey through the underground passageways, marveling at rare crystals and other cave formations, as well as oddities like mummified animal remains!
If you're feeling extra brave, consider the Ghost Walk. Offered year-round, this eerie experience focuses on the ghosts rumored to inhabit the caverns—not a far-fetched claim considering eight people have either died or are buried on Grand Canyon Caverns property. With your very own EMF meter in hand, navigate the narrow corridors and keep an eye out for paranormal activity.
All that exploring sure works up an appetite! Luckily, you can chow down without even heading back to the surface. Cavern Grotto is an underground dining experience like no other, serving up mouthwatering grub like burgers and steaks in the most unforgettable setting.
The fun still doesn't have to be over, as several overnight accommodations are available. By far the most famous is the Cavern Suite: not only the largest, but also the oldest, deepest, darkest, and quietest motel room in the world.
Drift off to sleep surrounded by 65 million-year-old cave walls, with all the necessary amenities to make you feel right at home. For those less adventurous, plenty of aboveground motel rooms provide a more typical lodging experience.
