The Giant’s Coffin

The Giant's Coffin has been a popular tour stop for over two centuries.

NPS Photo/ Thomas DiGiovannangelo

Quick Facts

Amenities

2 listed

Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Scenic View/Photo Spot

This large boulder is 48 feet in length, 20 feet in height and Eight feet wide. It weighs approximately 1,000 tons. On the surface you can see many historic signatures, as well as some not so historic signatures. Names like J.N. McDowell M.D., 1839 is considered historic. The signature was scribed before the cave became a national park in 1941. After the establishment of the national park, marking on the cave walls became a federal offense. The earliest name for this particular landmark was “Steamboat”, by the 1840’s visitors decided it looked more like a giant’s coffin.

Guides began to weave tales about a race of giants that once roamed this land. The smallest among them began to venture daily into these depths. Inside the cave he found a world untouched by the light and filled with strange creatures living in the darkness. The young giant named Cozad befriended the creatures, promising to protect them and their home. Local tribes would bring offerings to the cave entrance daily for the kind giant. As time passed, days became years and years became centuries but each night the offerings would be gone. A peaceful relationship developed between the tribes and Cozad. Entry to this underworld would remain open as long as no harm came to the cave or to those that dwelled there.

One night, a tribal warrior was on patrol around the entrance and noticed the offerings had not been accepted. Tribal leaders were worried they had offended the giant. So they sent their finest warriors and scholars on a pilgrimage to find the gentle giant and to assure the treaty was still in place. With their torches held high, the group journeyed into the depths. Shadows danced in the flickering amber light that stretched up against the ashen stone walls. Pushing deeper into the quiet void, they found the aged gentle giant sleeping on the stone floor. They tried many things to rouse him but he would not stir. 

The tribe built the stone coffin that protects him today. For it is told that one day when his cave friends need him, the giant shall rise from his slumber and walk these passages once more. Till that day, people like you and I can help protect this subterranean world for future generations.