Building in Caves Goes Way Back in Utah

Something about the red cliffs in Southern Utah inspires people to want to build houses inside the sandstone. It started with the pueblo people building dwellings in the cliffs in the ancient past and has continued to modern day Airbnb’s built into caves. 

Photo by Lisa Yount on Unsplash
Photo by Lisa Yount on Unsplash
loading...

If you have been to Pioneer Park where the Dixie rock is. You may have seen this shelter used by early pioneers and later for camping by boy scouts. There’s a door and a fireplace in the back with a chimney. Might have been a hair cooler during the summer with all those rocks as insulation. 

Boy Scout Cave at Pioneer Park in St George. Canva
Boy Scout Cave at Pioneer Park in St George. Canva
loading...

Here's Some Modern Examples of Houses in Rock From Around the State

Near Moab there is a place called Rockland Ranch that was on a television show on TLC. It’s a place where they have blasted holes in the rock and built houses in them. It was built originally by a fundamentalist man who practiced polygamy. The houses are sturdy with rock surrounding them. 

https://youtu.be/4G0yKPLU6DE
https://youtu.be/4G0yKPLU6DE
loading...
https://youtu.be/4G0yKPLU6DE
https://youtu.be/4G0yKPLU6DE
loading...

Then there is this place outside Boulder, Utah where the man built into a cave. His name is Grant Johnson and he has spent 40 years building it. It was featured on the show “Tiny House Giant Journey”. What is great about this place is you can rent it through Airbnb. It has power and water and awesome views. Be your own Fred Flintstone with all the amenities. 

Read More: Does Utah Look Remodeled to You?

There seems to be a certain fascination with living in the rock in the Southern end of the state. Maybe it is because there are so many cliffs and crevices around. Or maybe the spirit of the ancient cliff dwellers seeping into our consciousness. 

See Inside The Bloomington Cave

The Bloomington Cave in Southern Utah goes 1.4 miles underground. See inside.

More From Star 98