For decades, rumors circulated about secret caves buried deep under the Arizona desert. These tunnels belonged to Warren Jeffs, the infamous polygamous Mormon leader who controlled 85 wives. Now, for the first time, investigators have gained access. What they found inside reveals a hidden world of survival, secrecy, and total control, showing just how far Jeffs went to protect himself and his followers.
First-Ever Access to the Hidden Caves
Investigative expert Mike King spent years trying to locate the caves. FLDS members always denied they existed, and most outsiders assumed the stories were myths. King heard countless rumors, but every lead ended in dead ends. Then, a breakthrough came when a member of the FLDS handed him a key and exact coordinates. Early one morning, one of Jeffs’ wives appeared at King’s door, dressed in a traditional prairie dress. She handed over the key and said, “Willy said you could go inside.” That simple handoff marked the beginning of the first documented exploration of the underground tunnels. King entered the caves and began recording everything, providing the first clear look at the FLDS’ secretive world.
A Fortress Beneath the Desert
The caves stretched deep beneath the desert, revealing an elaborate network built for both survival and secrecy. King found rooms filled with canned food, clothing, and religious texts. Weapons and explosives hinted at preparations for potential attacks, whether from law enforcement or outsiders. King believes construction began after the 1953 Short Creek raid, a historic police operation that arrested dozens of FLDS men and relocated women and children. That raid left the community deeply fearful. The caves acted as a hidden fortress, designed to protect the leaders and preserve their way of life. Every detail suggested careful planning, from reinforced doors to hidden passages.
Life and Control Underground
The FLDS clearly designed the caves to support long-term habitation. King discovered steel doors sectioning off private rooms and storage areas. Ventilation shafts reached 400 feet to the mountain above, providing fresh air deep underground. The tunnels had electricity at one point, with lights strung along corridors. Bathrooms with porcelain sinks and toilets showed the caves were meant for sustained use, not just temporary refuge. Every element reflected the meticulous control Jeffs demanded over his followers. Fewer than two percent of community members even knew the caves existed, and only a handful had ever entered. The rest lived under strict rules and isolation, completely unaware of the hidden chambers beneath them.
A Secret World of Polygamy
The FLDS formed after the mainstream Mormon Church banned polygamy in 1890. While most Mormons abandoned plural marriage, the FLDS continued the practice. Warren Jeffs inherited leadership from his father, Rulon Jeffs, who had 75 wives and 65 children. Under Warren, the group became even more secretive and authoritarian. He claimed to be a prophet and controlled every aspect of life within the community. Girls were forced into “celestial marriages,” and many of his wives were underage. The caves reflected Jeffs’ obsession with control. They provided a secure space for him and other leaders while keeping the majority of the community in ignorance.
Chilling Evidence of Preparation
King documented corridors lined with supplies and rooms carefully organized for storage and living. Evidence of hand-drilling and placement of explosives suggested the tunnels were expanded over decades. Survival gear filled every corner, showing the FLDS prepared for emergencies, raids, and even apocalyptic scenarios. Ventilation shafts, electricity, and functioning bathrooms made the caves fully habitable. The level of planning revealed the lengths to which Jeffs went to secure his position and protect his followers from outside interference. The caves were more than hiding places—they were symbols of power, paranoia, and meticulous control.
Former Members Speak Out
Former FLDS members who accompanied King described shock and awe at the caves’ scale. Sam Zitting Wyson, who grew up near the tunnels, said, “Looking through the gates, I had no idea how extensive it was. The caves truly exist. They are deep, cavernous, and well-planned.” King emphasized that secrecy surrounded the caves for decades. Most members didn’t know they existed, and those who did only knew of their presence. The tunnels were sacred ground to the FLDS, a space few could enter and even fewer could fully understand. The discovery shows how isolation and fear allowed Jeffs to control the community for years.
Crimes of Warren Jeffs
Jeffs’ control extended beyond secrecy. Courts convicted him in 2011 for sexually assaulting minors. Evidence showed he manipulated girls and families, forcing underage girls into marriage. He ruled the FLDS through fear and religious authority. Even from prison, he reportedly continues to influence some members. The caves reflect the same pattern of manipulation, control, and preparation. They were a private world, shielded from law enforcement and outsiders, designed to protect Jeffs’ leadership and his family structure.
The Public Sees the Caves for the First Time
This exploration represents the first public documentation of Jeffs’ hidden tunnels. The caves reveal extreme measures taken by a cult leader to maintain power and prepare for threats. Stockpiles, private rooms, and defensive measures show a community built around secrecy, obedience, and survival. The tunnels offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a polygamous cult and provide insight into how Jeffs maintained control over dozens of wives and hundreds of followers.
Why It Matters
The caves’ discovery is historic. It exposes how a secretive community functioned underground and highlights the extreme lengths leaders go to protect themselves. The tunnels show careful planning, survival strategies, and a society built on fear and obedience. They also reveal the human cost of absolute power. For former members, the tunnels provide insight into the secrecy and control that defined their lives. For the public, the caves offer a chilling look at the dangers of unchecked authority and isolation.
