Campground Overiew:
Colossal Cave Mountain Park located in Vail, AZ is a popular attraction in the Tuscon Area. The park encompasses over 2,400 acres and includes the magnificent Colossal Cave, the historic La Posta Quemada Ranch, Western trail rides, camping, and picnicking. The Campgrounds, tucked in the mesquites in Posta Quemada canyon, were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps – CCC. These consist of two large areas—El Bosquecito and La Selvilla—and a number of smaller ones, totaling about 30 individual sites.
Most areas have tables and barbecue grills. Water and restrooms are available in El Bosquecito and La Selvilla. Note this is primitive dry camping—water and restrooms are limited, there is no electricity or RV hook-ups. For the safety and security of the Park we lock the front gates at night. Please refer to the Park hours below before making your trip plans. For emergencies, there is a 911 phone located in the campgrounds near the “Y” intersection where the road branches to El Bosquecito and La Selvilla picnic areas.
Fires are allowed in barbecues and established fire rings only, if we are in a fire-safe condition. Signs will be posted if fires are prohibited. Note that the cutting of trees and branches in the Park is strictly prohibited. Please bring your own wood or charcoal.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Semi-Developed |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Tucson |
Fishing: |
None |
Campground Website: |
Colossal Cave Mountain Park |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Colossal Cave Mountain Park is a large cave system in southeastern Arizona, United States, near the community of Vail, about 22 miles southeast of Tucson. It contains about 3.5 miles of mapped passageways, and was discovered by Soloman Lick in 1879. Temperatures inside average 70 °F year-round.
The cave is an ancient karst cave, classified as “dry” by guides. The meaning of this is that its formations are completely dry, or “dead”, and do not grow. This is because the cave was formed by water depositing limestone, but this source has disappeared. It instead feeds the “active” nearby Arkenstone Cave that continues to grow formations.
Colossal Cave was used from 900 to 1450 AD by the Hohokam, Sobaipuri, and Apache Indians. The cave was rediscovered in 1879 by Solomon Lick, the owner of the nearby Mountain Springs Hotel. He was searching for stray cattle when he discovered the entrance to the cave. The cave was then used as a guano source, and a tunnel, 82 ftlong, was built in 1905, and a total of seven train cars of guano were filled. The deposit was soon exhausted, and the tunnel was abandoned.
This desert refuge has sheltered people for over a thousand years. It has been home, shrine, hideout, inspiring workplace, exciting playground, tranquil retreat. On the National Historic Register, the 2,400-acre Park showcases crystal-filled Colossal Cave and historic La Posta Quemada Ranch. Cave tours, Western trail rides, camping, picnicking.
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