ARIZONA’S STRANGEST: APACHE DEATH CAVE
The Apache Death Cave is located in Winslow, Arizona. For a spooky trip, take a flashlight. You’ll need it!
Photo by Mary Geivett
Not for reuse
WHAT IS THE APACHE DEATH CAVE?
Two Guns, the location of the Apache Death Cave, is a small ghost town near Winslow, Arizona, 30 miles outside of Flagstaff. At first sight or driving by, it doesn’t seem worth a second glance. Yet, once you visit, the place can draw you in for hours.
Two Guns ghost town once consisted of a gas station, zoo, and campground. It also had and still has the Apache Death Cave. There was once a gift shop that sold “artifacts” from the death cave.
The Ruins still stand where Two Guns was once a thriving tourist attraction. They are worth the hiking boots to go check out. With the ruin, you will find incredible graffiti artwork. Might I add, they are not simple tags. It’s art. The graffiti at the abandoned service station is well worth sticking around for an incredible sunset.
Photo by Mary Kooiker
Not for Reuse
WHAT IS THE APACHE DEATH CAVE STORY?
The Apache Death Cave holds its own story. During a war between the Apache and Navajo tribes, the Apache raided a Navajo camp. They took three young girls with them. After much searching, the Navajo found that the Apache were hiding out in a massive underground cavern. Upon finding out the girls were dead, the Navajo covered the openings to the caverns and burned it.
The Apache cut the throats of all of their horses. They used the blood and all of their water to quench the flames to no avail. They piled the carcasses of the dead horses in the entries to stop the smoke. To no avail. The last sounds heard from the Apache were the sounds of their death songs. 42 Apache and all of their horses died in what is now called the Apache Death Cave.
It is said the cave is haunted. I was there. It’s a great place to visit. A great place to kill the flashlights and tell the Apache story in the darkness of the cave (not all of my family was thrilled about that!) But, we did not witness any haunts.
WHEN YOU GO
When you go, wear hiking boots and bring a flashlight. Don’t let little ones wander off. There are hypodermic needles laying around. There are no services so bring your own food, water, and facilities.
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