Colossal Cave Mountain Park, just 15 minutes from Tucson, is one of Arizona’s most underrated locations.

Hidden in the majestic Rincon Mountains, Colossal Cave was created 80 million years ago and is one of the largest dry caves in the United States. It has been inhabited since as early as 900 AD and is said to have been used as a hideout for train robbers in recent history.

The legend goes something like this: In 1884, before the Colossal Caves opened to the public for tours, four men robbed a train at gunpoint near the small town of Pantano.

After escaping with about $72,000 in gold and currency, the men sneaked into the Rincon Mountains to evade law enforcement.

As the story goes, then-sheriff Bob Leatherwood follows the bandit’s escape route to what is now the entrance to the giant cave.

The sheriff pokes his head into the cave and is greeted by gunshots, so he decides to poke a hole outside the entrance for two weeks and wait for the inevitable appearance of the men.

Towards the end of the two weeks, a lieutenant spotted the sheriff and said four men in the Wilcox saloon were bragging about how they had foolishly abandoned the sheriff of Pima County through the back door of a cave. I spoke to

It soon became clear that they were the train robbers, as the men were throwing money at them indifferently while they groaned.

Law enforcement rushed to the saloon and engaged in a shootout with the men. Three of his bandits were murdered and the fourth, Phil his carver, was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison.

The sheriff and his deputies discovered a bandit hideout in a cave that was stocked with campfire wreckage, food and clothing, but no gold or cash. Upon his release from prison, Carver must have headed straight for the cave to retrieve his incredibly well-hidden stash.

Aside from its notorious history, the giant cave is a must-see in the Tucson area.

As well as exploring the caves on a variety of unique tours, the park also offers hiking, horseback riding, camping, restaurants, and gift shops.