Explore Moqui Cave – Dinosaur Tracks & Native Artifacts
Moqui Cave is a natural history museum that features dinosaur tracks, Native American artifacts, and fluorescent minerals. It is located inside a red rock cave 6 miles north of Kanab, Utah.
Read on to learn more!
Key Takeaways
* Located on Hwy 89 in between the two entrances to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary; which is the largest companion animal sanctuary in the U.S. Therefore, you can visit the cave at 5:00pm after the sanctuary closes.
* Open Monday-Saturday from 10:00am-6:00pm. Admission is only $5. They do not sell tickets in advance.
Moqui Cave History
For hundreds of years, the Ancestral Puebloans (formerly called Anasazi, which means “ancient enemy” in Navajo) used Moqui Cave as a shelter. Then during the 1920s Prohibition era it was converted into a speakeasy.
In 1951 the cave was purchased by Garth Chamberlain, the first Mormon NFL player. He turned the cave into a dance hall and bar. Chamberlain studied geology, archaeology, and paleontology at Brigham Young University. The exhibits on display are his personal collection.
Dinosaur Tracks
Moqui Cave features over 180 dinosaur tracks that are 185 million years old!!! Most were found preserved in the red rock of the nearby hills.
The tracks are from 20 different dinosaur species. They were classified by Brigham Young University’s world reknown paleontologist Dr Jim Jenson.
You can hike the nearby Dinosaur Tracks Trail to see dinosaur tracks in their original locations!!! The trail is located on Hwy 89 in Kanab between mile marker 67 and 68.
Native Artifacts
Moqui Cave houses a collection of Native American artifacts found in southern Utah 1,200 years ago. The collection consists of over 1,000 arrowheads, ceremonial points, jugs, pots, bowls and working tools from the Puebloan Era.
The Moqui Cave Gift Shop sells jewelry, rugs, art, and crafts made by 4 local Native American tribes.
Fluorescent Minerals
Moqui Cave is home to one of the largest fluorescent mineral displays in the United States. A fluorescent mineral is a mineral that glows astonishingly bright colors when put under an ultraviolet light.
Only 10% of the earth’s 4,000 minerals are fluorescent. (For example, calcite). Some minerals always fluoresce the same color, while others can glow with different colors.
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Final Thoughts
Moqui Cave offers a unique glimpse into history, geology, and paleontology, all set within a striking red rock cave. From ancient dinosaur tracks to Native American artifacts and glowing fluorescent minerals, there’s something to fascinate every visitor.
Moqui Cave is a must-see destination that blends the natural and cultural wonders of the region. Don’t miss the chance to explore this hidden gem!
