Grand Canyon Caverns

Description:

• In 1927, a heavy rain widened the natural funnel-shaped opening to the upper level of an unknown system of caverns in western Arizona. Inside the deep cavern, two human skeletons were found and thought to be cavemen. However, it was later discovered that the bodies were two members of the Hualapai tribe who were secretly buried there. During the Great Depression, a wooden staircase was constructed, plunging visitors 15 stories into the cavern. Today, visitors are lowered to the bottom with an elevator. The original natural entrance is a sacred burial ground. Fossils of prehistoric clams, scallops and evidence of sea turtle remains have been found lithified in the limestone walls. Also found were the remains of a giant ground sloth, which went extinct 11,000 to 20,000 years ago. From I-40, take Rt. 66 about 25 miles northwest to the Grand Canyon Caverns exit.
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