How long is the tour?

The STANDARD Tour runs about 45 minutes and covers paved walkways and stairs, guided by an experienced interpreter.

Check in at the meeting point: 115 AZ-66, Seligman, AZ. The site is approximately 12 miles east of Peach Springs.

Is the tour suitable for children and older visitors?

Tours are listed as appropriate for all ages, but participants must be able to manage stairs and short inclines; supervision of young children is advised.

Are backpacks, food or drinks allowed?

No. Backpacks and outside food or drink are prohibited inside the caverns to protect formations and manage safety.

Yes—photography is permitted. Use non-intrusive lighting and avoid flash when directed by guides to preserve the experience and formations.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility impairments?

The route includes stairs and uneven surfaces; it is not fully wheelchair accessible. Contact the operator ahead of time to discuss specific needs.

Descend 210 Feet into America's Largest Dry Caverns: STANDARD Tour on Route 66

At 115 AZ-66 in Seligman, Arizona, a 45-minute descent opens onto America’s largest dry caverns — a 210-foot drop into cool, silent chambers carved from limestone over deep time. The STANDARD Tour guides visitors on paved paths and staircases through a sequence of vaulted rooms where calcite flowstone, stalagmites and rimstone pools remain preserved in the absence of active water. This is not your typical Route 66 roadside stop; it’s a subterranean place of scale and quiet that reveals geological processes you can walk through.

The route is compact but dramatic. You’ll follow even, paved walkways that thread across uneven terrain and steeper inclines; the itinerary includes multiple staircases and narrow passages, and the guide pauses to point out formations, fossil traces and the cavern’s unique dryness. Light falls into the rooms from installed lighting that accentuates textures and tones—colors range from pale cream to rust and chocolate where iron has stained the limestone. Temperature inside stays steady and cool, so a light sweater or long sleeves are a good call year-round.

Practical details keep the experience focused. Check in at the meeting point, 115 AZ-66, Seligman, and note the property is about 12 miles east of Peach Springs. Tours last roughly 45 minutes; they’re listed as suitable for all ages, though the walk includes steps and some brief climbs. Closed-toe shoes are recommended; no high heels or backpacks, and no outside food or drink is permitted in the caverns.

What makes these caverns stand out in northern Arizona is the combination of scale, dryness and accessibility. Because the system is dry, delicate formations are preserved in place rather than actively growing, offering a glimpse of past hydrology and mineral deposition. The location along Historic Route 66 adds a cultural layer: this is a place where American road travel meets deep geologic time.

For photographers and curious travelers alike, the contrast between the sunbaked desert above and the cool subterranean rooms below is unforgettable. Guides provide context and safety; visitors walk paved routes without technical gear, making the STANDARD Tour an excellent introduction to spelunking without the ropes. In the compact span of forty-five minutes you’ll leave the highway, descend into a cavernous archive, and return with a clearer sense of how water and stone shaped this stretch of Arizona.

Visitors should allow extra time for travel along Route 66: cell reception can be spotty and summer temperatures on the pavement soar, so plan accordingly. The caverns are open year-round, with consistent subterranean temps that make them a respite from summer heat and a steadier option in cooler months. Booking ahead is recommended during peak tourist seasons on Historic Route 66 to secure preferred time slots for this high-value underground experience.

About Grand Canyon Caverns

Grand Canyon Caverns, located in Gilbert, Arizona, offers guided underground experiences in America's largest dry caverns. Visitors descend 210 feet on paved paths and stairs to explore dramatic limestone formations and vast underground chambers. Tours range from accessible, 25-minute guided SHORT Tours ideal for limited mobility to the 45-minute STANDARD Tours that cover more of the cavern's passages. For guests seeking a full-day experience, combo packages pair SHORT or STANDARD Tours with meals in the on-site Crystal Restaurant, providing convenient dining after an underground adventure.

Adventure-focused options include the Wild Tour and Explorers Tour. The Wild Tour navigates dark, narrow passages using personal headlamps for a more intimate, low-light experience. The Explorers Tour involves crawling and climbing through rugged passages and requires helmets and lights, offering an adrenaline-fueled route for experienced cavers.

Grand Canyon Caverns also markets seasonal or special packages such as a Valentine's Day Dinner Package that combines an overnight stay, a cavern visit, and a candlelit dinner in the caverns. Meal options—lunch or dinner—are available with combo tours through the Crystal Restaurant.

All tours are guided and follow established routes within the caverns. Paved walkways on SHORT and STANDARD Tours improve accessibility, while specialized tours list physical requirements and necessary safety gear. Grand Canyon Caverns provides clear trip options and concise descriptions so visitors can choose tours that match mobility, adventure level, and dining preferences.

Tour durations, accessibility notes, and equipment requirements are specified for each trip to help visitors plan with confidence and reserve tours online.