See the Grand Canyon Caverns on Route 66

Welcome to the Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn on Route 66.

The Grand Canyon Caverns like the Grand Canyon will take your breath away but this time you are under the earth discovering the Beauty of nature underground. These caverns extend all the way to the Grand Canyon.

GRAND CANYON CAVERNS

If you Are ready to see Route 66. Be sure to check out my video above for a sneak peek at the fun that awaits you above ground at the Grand Canyon Caverns! Those classic cars, that Radiator Springs Gas Station, and those GIANT DINOSAURS… it’s like takin’ a step back in time to the golden age of Route 66! But hold on tight, ’cause we’re just gettin’ started. Now that you’ve seen those awesome sights in action, let’s dive into a little more detail about each one. First up, those vintage vehicles…

🏨 Where to Stay at or Near Grand Canyon Caverns

If you’re traveling Route 66 between Seligman and Peach Springs, the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn is the closest stay — and one of the most unique. Located right on-site, it offers motel-style rooms in a quiet, high-desert setting surrounded by vintage charm.

⚠️ The cavern tours have been temporarily closed in the past due to elevator issues — be sure to check ahead to confirm whether tours are currently operating.

If you’re looking for more options, you’ll find great places to stay in nearby towns:

➤ Seligman, Arizona (about 25 miles west)

This town is full of Route 66 energy and color. Lodging options include:

• Aztec Motel and Creative Space
• Canyon Lodge
• Historic Route 66 Motel

➤ Peach Springs, Arizona (about 15 miles east)

Smaller and quieter, but home to the Hualapai Lodge — a modern, comfortable stay with cultural ties to the Hualapai Tribe. It’s a great stop if you’re heading toward Grand Canyon viewpoints or the trail to Havasupai Falls.

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📸 Things to Do at Grand Canyon Caverns

1. Take a Guided Cavern Tour
These are some of the largest dry caverns in the U.S., over 200 feet below ground. You’ll ride an elevator down and explore massive ancient chambers.
Note: Tours may be temporarily closed due to elevator repairs — check ahead before visiting.

2. Snap a Photo with the Dinosaurs
Life-size dinosaur statues welcome you right out front. It’s a fun and quirky stop perfect for road trip photos.

3. Check Out the Classic Cars and Trucks
The property is dotted with old Route 66 vehicles — rusted-out pickups, classic cruisers, and forgotten relics of the road.

4. Shop for Souvenirs
Inside the main building is a Route 66 gift shop filled with trinkets, maps, and Mother Road memorabilia.

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🌄 Nearby Attractions: West Toward Seligman

1. Route 66 Road Relics
Start your visit to Seligman at Route 66 Road Relics — a shop full of antiques, vintage signs, and authentic Route 66 gifts. Take a photo with a real U.S. Highway 66 sign and say howdy to Big Mike while you’re there.

2. Route 66 Motorporium
This gift shop and motorcycle museum features over 35 vintage motorcycles. It’s a true hidden gem for riders and collectors right on the Mother Road.

3. Historic Downtown Seligman
The birthplace of the Route 66 revival, this strip is full of neon signs, old motels, murals, and that unmistakable small-town Americana feel.

4. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In
Serving up smiles since 1953, this classic roadside stop is known for its burgers, root beer floats, and hand-scooped ice cream. It’s part diner, part comedy show — a true Route 66 legend that still brings in travelers from around the world.

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🛣️ Nearby Attractions: East Toward Peach Springs

1. Hualapai Lodge (Peach Springs)
A comfortable stay along Route 66 with tribal heritage and a great spot to base your canyon adventures.

2. Diamond Creek Road
The only drivable route to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It’s remote, beautiful, and requires a permit from the Hualapai Tribe.

3. Havasupai Falls (via Hualapai Hilltop)
One of the most stunning waterfall hikes in the U.S. It’s a 10-mile hike each way, with permits often required a year in advance. Plan well — but it’s worth every step.

Hold on to your hats, folks! As you roll up to the Grand Canyon Caverns, the first thing that’ll grab your attention is a scene straight outta a Route 66 postcard. Vintage cars and trucks, gleaming in the Arizona sun, line the entrance, giving you a taste of the golden age of American motoring.

And right there, standin’ proud, is a Route 66 Version of the Radiator Springs Gas Station. Fill up your tank with nostalgia, grab a Route 66 souvenir at the gift shop.

Now, for all you firefighters out there, or anyone who’s ever dreamed of ridin’ in a firetruck, this one’s for you! Parked proudly alongside the other classics, you’ll find a shiny red fire engine just beggin’ to be admired. Imagine yourself behind the wheel, racin’ to the rescue, or pose for a photo with this classic beauty – it’s a Route 66 memory in the making!

Above it all, those giant “Grand Canyon Caverns” signs beckon you to explore the wonders that lie beneath. But first, let’s take a walk on the wild side… Are you ready to Explore Route 66 ?

Dino-mite Discoveries!

Keep your eyes peeled, ’cause you’re about to meet the prehistoric welcoming committee! They are a Big Committee Too !!!

Towering dinosaurs, frozen in mid-roar, guard the entrance to the caverns. It is pretty crazy looking at something life size that is over 20 foot long it really makes you wonder what is was like back then and how times have changed.

These guys are a fun part of Route 66 and a must-have photo for any selfie collection. You might look kind of small in front of these 20 foot plus monsters.

One more cool metal dinosaur jusr for good measure Ye Haw !!!

Venturing Beneath the Surface

Now, I’ve been down into those caverns before, and let me tell ya, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Sadly, the elevator was temporarily out of service the last time I was there but I hear it was fixed or is getting fixed soon, so no underground photos or videos this time. But trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Imagine… over 200 acres of caverns, the largest dry cave system in the U.S.! Stalactites hangin’ like icy teeth, stalagmites risin’ up to meet ’em… it’s a subterranean wonderland millions of years in the making.

A Unique Overnight Adventure

And get this – you can actually sleep down there! The Grand Canyon Caverns Inn offers rooms carved right into the rock, 220 feet below ground. Talk about a room with a view.. no sky but just underground in a huge cavern it is amazing

A History as Deep as the Caverns

These caverns have seen it all, folks. Native Americans sought shelter here, outlaws hid from the law, and during the Cold War, it was even prepped as a bomb shelter. Now that’s some serious history!

Discovery and Early Days:

As the story goes, the Grand Canyon Caverns were discovered in 1927 by a cowboy named Walter Peck. He was exploring the area—some say he was actually on his way to a poker game!—when he stumbled upon the cavern entrance. Imagine his surprise! He must have felt like he’d stepped into another world. Recognizing the wonder of his discovery, Peck soon began inviting others to share in the experience.

In those early days, a tour of the caverns would set you back a mere 25 cents! Peck was quite the showman, and he always had a story or two to tell to make the experience even more memorable for his visitors. One of the most fascinating tales involved the discovery of remarkably well-preserved remains of a Shasta ground sloth deep within the caverns. These giant creatures roamed North America during the last Ice Age, and finding their traces in the caverns provided a glimpse into a truly ancient past.

Over the years, the caverns were known by a few different names. First, it was Yampai Caverns, then Coconino Caverns, and for a time, even Dinosaur Caverns. But eventually, the name that stuck was Grand Canyon Caverns, a fitting title for such a grand underground wonder.

A Route 66 Must-See

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just lookin’ for a quirky adventure, the Grand Canyon Caverns has somethin’ for everyone. So next time you’re cruisin’ Route 66, make sure this stop’s on your map!

Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn Mile Marker 115 Route 66 Peach Springs, AZ 86434 See Google for a Phone Number and reservation information