Grand Canyon Caverns has become an example of a classic Route 66 business that not only has survived, but thrived amid an expansion of its offerings in the last 15-plus years.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, the complex west of Seligman, Arizona, introduced scenic helicopter flights, now offers river-rafting tours and finished a modernization of bathrooms in the Ranch House (aka The Bunkhouse) used by families or tour groups.
What got my attention was James McEnulty, operations manager, stated in an email a few days ago Grand Canyon Caverns boasts at least 16 revenue streams, compared to one when he and other members of an investment group bought it in 2002.
“We have or are restoring everything but leaving the same visual,” he wrote. “We are fanatics about great food and (being) super clean.”
During a phone interview over the weekend, McEnulty elaborated on the improvements at Grand Canyon Caverns in recent years:
More cavern tours: In addition to the longtime 45-minute tour, Grand Canyon Caverns offers a “short” 25-minute tour that is wheelchair accessible, a Ghost Walk for paranormal investigators, plus Wild and Explorer tours for hard-core spelunkers and scientists.
Renovated motel. McEnulty said the furnishings in each room are new, although the architecture and feel of 1964 — when the motel was built — was retained. He said the motel’s 1978 color scheme was retained, however.
Other lodging options. In addition to the motel and Ranch House, Grand Canyon Caverns improved its RV park and campground (including offering breakfast) and the underground cavern suite.
Disc golf and miniature golf courses.
Cowboy experiences. Grand Canyon Caverns offers horseback riding, wagon rides, overnight rides and even cattle-drive experiences, thanks to the neighboring A Cowboy’s Way Ranch. And a rodeo ring on the complex offers several roping events per year.
Several gift shops. In addition to a big gift shop devoted to Grand Canyon Caverns items, the complex added a Route 66 gift shop, jewelry shop and a Supai gift shop devoted to the Havasupai Nation and waterfalls at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
A full-service restaurant. The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The Cavern Grotto dining area deep inside the caverns also is a recent addition.
New bar. Grand Canyon Caverns recently reopened a 70-year-old bar as a lunch patio and daytime tavern. McEnulty said its hours may be expanded on the weekends.
Full market. Grand Canyon Caverns opened a small grocery store, which is he said has become popular with locals and overnight guests.
Water company. Grand Canyon Caverns owns its own water company and serves 26 customers in the region, using a 2,000-gallon tanker truck to make deliveries. The caverns gets all the water it needs from one of seven wells it purchased from the Santa Fe Railroad.
Looking ahead, McEnulty said Grand Canyon Caverns will add lunch service next month at the Antares, Arizona, gift shop (best known as the site of the Giganticus Headicus sculpture) and a full-service restaurant on Antares’ second floor by 2019.
McEnulty said Grand Canyon Caverns also likely will open one or two guest cabins for overnight guests next year.
Regularly adding something is part of the Grand Canyon Caverns strategy, he said.
“We believe if we don’t have something new every six months, you won’t keep getting repeat customers,” he said.
McEnulty said Grand Canyon Caverns has experienced 15 to 20 percent growth in the last nine years. Best of all, the complex holds no debt.
(Hat tip to Jim Hinckley; images of Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Arizona, via Facebook and Thomas Hart via Flickr)
What a pleasure to read of good news here. My personal Grand Canyon memories are from January 1979 – of walking down to the base of the canyon via the South Kaibab Trail, sharing my tent and food with another hiker who had no tent, and walking back up the next day by the Bright Angel Trail. The hiker who had shared my tent kindly help carry my 60 pound pack up to the rim of the canyon.