Few People Know There's A Secret Cave Tucked Away In This Remote Arizona National Park
By Katie Lawrence|Published March 22, 2022
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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).
Next time you’re in the mood to discover something new in Arizona, head to Coronado National Memorial in Hereford. This remote, little-known national park is already a hidden gem, but the cave tucked away inside it is even more of a secret. Follow a short and sweet trail to an underground chamber inhabited for up to 8,000 years and marvel at its ancient history.
Coronado National Memorial is already one of the least-visited National Park units in Arizona, but even fewer people are aware there's a secret cave hidden on the grounds.
A moderate, one-mile hike is all it takes to reach the cave, and the trail begins just west of the visitor center. It's hard to believe almost no one knows it exists!
The trail features an elevation gain of around 500 feet - it's a gradual ascent, so you'll have plenty of energy left over to take in the views.
As you begin to lower yourself down, you'll see just how vast this ancient underground chamber is. One of the last remaining undeveloped caves in southern Arizona, it's 600 feet long and up to 70 feet wide.
The cave is thought to have been used for shelter up to 8,000 years ago, and more recently by Apache peoples, Mexican and European miners, and settlers.
Formed over eons, these unique formations are absolutely breathtaking to behold. Shine your flashlight to appreciate their intricacies - and always remember to look, but don't touch!
Have you ever explored the cave at Coronado National Memorial? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for another hidden cave in Arizona.
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