The Mud Caves are a popular feature in
Anza Borrego Desert State Park in
San Diego County
San Diego County (), officially the County of San Diego, is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,298,634, making it California's second-most populous county and the f ...
,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
. The caves, located in the
Carrizo Badlands, along the
Arroyo Tapiado, were created by water flowing through a thick deposit of silt and are an example of
pseudokarst
Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant ro ...
topography. There are at least 22 caves, some up to in length and in height. Many of the caves are easily accessed.
Some of the caves found here include:
*Big Mud Cave - The only cave marked on most maps.
*Hidden Cave - Impossible to find without precise directions.
*Chasm Cave - A popular cave with a beautiful skylight.
*Carey's Big Mud Cave - The largest cave in the arroyo.
*Plunge Pool Cave - A short cave that ends in a spectacular round room that towers above you.
*Dip Slope Cave - The small entrance is easy to miss.
References
External links
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Caves of California
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Landforms of San Diego County, California
Show caves in the United States
Tourist attractions in San Diego County, California
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