How to Visit Kartchner Caverns State Park in Arizona

Arizona's newest state park, Kartchner Caverns, is a 550-acre, wet limestone cave that only recently opened to the public. The preservation and ornate detail of the cave's mineral deposits have solidified Kartchner Caverns as a leading tourist attraction in Arizona. Located an hour and a half from Tucson, this natural wonder is home to hollow formations, flowstone, colorful mineral deposits and a 58-foot tall massive limestone column. Planning a visit to Kartchner Caverns State Park is a necessary process to ensure availability on one of the cave's popular tours.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Plan a cave tour. Kartchner Caverns State Park is open year-round, with the exception of major holidays. Ticket prices vary depending on season and chosen tour. However, priced at $8.95 to $12.95 for an adult ticket, cavern tours are affordable and well worth the cave experience.

2. Make a tour reservation. As a limited number of people are allowed through the cave each day, tour spots fill up quickly. Call [phone] or purchase tickets online (see resources below) before you go. There are two distinctly unique tours available. Both tours are an hour-and-a-half long, 1/2-mile in walking distance and are led by an educated tour guide.
   The first available tour, the Throne/Rotunda Tour, features Arizona's largest column formation and highlights the two giant limestone rooms in the caverns. Visitors will learn about how water manipulated the caves and see hollow "soda straw" formations.
   The second tour is called the Big Room tour. This tour is only a few years old. Visitors will be able to see colorful limestone formations, flowstone and learn about bats and the cavern's intriguing history. Note that children under the age of six years old are not allowed on the Big Room tour.

3. 
    

   Get to the caverns. Arrive at least one hour before scheduled tour. From Tucson, take I-10 East for approximately forty-five miles. Take exit #306 (Pomerene Road) toward Benson. Turn left onto Pomerene Road, proceed four miles and continue on North Cascabel Road. Follow signs to Kartchner Caverns State Park. If you have questions, call [phone]‎. Park adjacent to the Caverns (follow signs). Upon arrival, patrons will take a tram to the cavern entrance.

4. 
    

   Learn about minerals, limestone formations, stalagmites and more. Before your tour, watch an informational video. Take a tour with a guided professional and learn about the 13,000 feet of cavern passages, rooms as big as football fields, bacon draperies, columns, flowstone, Quartz boxwork, totems, helictites and shields.

5. Stop in the Discovery Center and Gift Shop on the way out. Purchase spelunking merchandise, Kartchner Cavern wear, southwestern gifts and eco-friendly products.

Tips & Warnings

• Cave temperatures depend on the season; check the weather on the Kartchner Cavern website before you go. Eat before you go and pack a snack in the car. Only one food service is available at Kartchner, called The Bat Cave Cafe. Or, bring a picnic and lunch on the grounds.
• Follow all rules while in the State Park. These are in place to preserve the caverns. Limestone formations are old and fragile. Do not touch anything while in the cave. People with mobility issues may have difficulty walking on the uneven/steep cavern path. However, Kartchner Caverns are wheelchair accessible.

Resources

• Kartchner Caverns State Park
• Buy Tour Tickets Online
• Kartchner Caverns Park Rules
• Cavern Weather