Grand Canyon Caverns, hampered by an elevator mishap into the caverns two years ago, recently announced it would hold a grand reopening event for its tours on Feb. 1.
The office manager for the caverns’ marketing arm in an email also revealed other improvements at the Route 66 site:
We are under new ownership/management and have been in the process of making updates as we go. We have installed a brand new elevator to allow the public to come and experience the wonders of the caves here near Peach Springs, AZ. There are so many exciting changes including the new Crystal Restaurant in the Caverns and we have installed Starlink WiFi throughout the property. (including the motel and RV park). We hope to see you come visit!
We have a lot of plans and renovations coming up. Coming the first of the year, we will begin our renovations of the motel. We have a geologist who has been partnering with us to ensure public safety in the caverns as well as future explorations further into the caverns. We have plans to update the RV park and grounds as well. The local Rodeo Organization in Kingman, AZ is partnering with us in repairing Landis Arena for the upcoming Rodeo event in the Summer 2025.
The caverns were acquired by the Tathil Oyaa’ Corporation, which in 2023 received a $10,000 grant from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona to help rehabilitate and renovate the site.
In 2022, five tourists had to be rescued from 200 feet underground in the caverns after being stranded by an elevator malfunction. A few were stuck down there for 30 hours.
Grand Canyon Caverns later was fined $6,250 and given three citations from the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the mishap.
Walter Peck discovered the caverns in 1927 during a search for gold, then began charging admission to the site shortly after that.
Peck initially named the site Yampai Caverns, then Coconino Caverns until 1957, and Dinosaur Caverns until 1962, when the owners settled on the Grand Canyon Caverns name.
A new entrance to the caverns was built by the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.
After the elevator was installed in 1962, the natural entrance was sealed off at the request of the Hualapai Indians because it was considered a sacred burial place.
(Image of the interior of Grand Canyon Caverns by Michael Kappel via Flickr)