Walter Peck discovered a secret cave one rainy night in 1927. He was going to visit some friends when he slipped and almost fell into a large hole. The next day, he returned to the spot with his friends. They tied a rope around one man’s waist and then lowered him into the hole. The man went down 150 feet. Finally, he reached the floor of the hole. The rocks in the cave sparkled like gold. Soon many people knew about Walter Peck’s discovery—now called the Grand Canyon Caverns.

Many visitors see fascinating sights as they tour the Grand Canyon Caverns each year. They take an elevator 210 feet down to view the caverns. They enter the main room, which is bigger than a football field. As they explore the caverns, they see Snowball Palace and The Giant’s Keyhole. Visitors also learn how the caves were formed during the past 35 million years!

Last summer, I went on a wonderful trip to Arizona with my family. On the first day, we went into the Grand Canyon Caverns. It was dark and my little brother got scared. The next day, we went for a hike above ground. The desert sun was very bright and hot—even the lizards stayed in the shade! On the final day, we took a horseback trip. We rode to a waterfall. The horses were very friendly, and the waterfall was cool and beautiful.

Exploring a cave is a lot of fun, but you must be well-prepared. Caves are dark, so you need a good, strong light. A helmet with a light is best, because it protects your head and leaves your hands free. You should wear waterproof shoes because caves can be wet—some even have streams and waterfalls. Make sure you have warm clothes and plenty of snacks. A backpack is good for carrying these supplies. Most important, never go into a cave alone!