It seems some guides allow visitors to touch the formations, with the argument that touching would stop growth, but as there is no growth there is no harm in touching. The formations are completely dry and called dead, as they do not grow.Īs there is no water, there is no limestone deposition and the formations do not grow. It is called a dry cave by the guides, which is not really a speleological term. While there must have been water while it was formed, today this cave is extraordinarily dry. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the cave with footpaths and electric light.Ĭolossal Cave is located in the desert of Arizona. Guided tours by Frank Schmidt, a German immigrant, with ropes and lanterns.įrank Schmidt donated the cave to Pima County. Phil Carver, a bank robber, supposedly stored $60,000 in gold in the cave.Ģ5 m long tunnel constructed, bat guano mined.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info. Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641, Tel: +1-52.Īs far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Park Admission: Car USD 5, Motorcycle USD 2, Tour Bus USD 1 per person, Bicycle USD 1. Wild Cave Tour Advanced: Per Person USD 75.Ĭandlelight Tour: Per Person USD 25, with dinner USD 45. Wild Cave Tour Intermediate: Per Person USD 55. Ladder Tour: Daytime USD 20, Nighttime with dinner USD 45. I10 exit 279 Vail Exit, turn north, follow the signs for 11 km.Ĭave: Adults USD 11, Children (5-12) USD 6, Children (0-4) free. Pima County, 35 km east of Tucson near the town of Vail. Cave tours, Western trail rides, camping, picnicking.Colossal Cave Colossal Cave Mountain Park On the National Historic Register, the 2,400-acre Park showcases crystal-filled Colossal Cave and historic La Posta Quemada Ranch. It has been home, shrine, hideout, inspiring workplace, exciting playground, tranquil retreat. This desert refuge has sheltered people for over a thousand years. The deposit was soon exhausted, and the tunnel was abandoned. The cave was then used as a guano source, and a tunnel, 82 ftlong, was built in 1905, and a total of seven train cars of guano were filled. He was searching for stray cattle when he discovered the entrance to the cave. The cave was rediscovered in 1879 by Solomon Lick, the owner of the nearby Mountain Springs Hotel. It instead feeds the “active” nearby Arkenstone Cave that continues to grow formations.Ĭolossal Cave was used from 900 to 1450 AD by the Hohokam, Sobaipuri, and Apache Indians. This is because the cave was formed by water depositing limestone, but this source has disappeared. The meaning of this is that its formations are completely dry, or “dead”, and do not grow. The cave is an ancient karst cave, classified as “dry” by guides. Temperatures inside average 70 ☏ year-round. It contains about 3.5 miles of mapped passageways, and was discovered by Soloman Lick in 1879. Campground at a GlanceĬolossal Cave Mountain Parkis a large cave system in southeastern Arizona, United States, near the community of Vail, about 22 miles southeast of Tucson. Note that the cutting of trees and branches in the Park is strictly prohibited.
Signs will be posted if fires are prohibited. For emergencies, there is a 911 phone located in the campgrounds near the “Y” intersection where the road branches to El Bosquecito and La Selvilla picnic areas.įires are allowed in barbecues and established fire rings only, if we are in a fire-safe condition. Please refer to the Park hours below before making your trip plans. For the safety and security of the Park we lock the front gates at night. Note this is primitive dry camping-water and restrooms are limited, there is no electricity or RV hook-ups. Water and restrooms are available in El Bosquecito and La Selvilla. Most areas have tables and barbecue grills. These consist of two large areas-El Bosquecito and La Selvilla-and a number of smaller ones, totaling about 30 individual sites. The Campgrounds, tucked in the mesquites in Posta Quemada canyon, were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps – CCC. The park encompasses over 2,400 acres and includes the magnificent Colossal Cave, the historic La Posta Quemada Ranch, Western trail rides, camping, and picnicking. Click image to view more pictures Campground Overiew:Ĭolossal Cave Mountain Park located in Vail, AZ is a popular attraction in the Tuscon Area.
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