Kartchner Caverns State Park

The caverns are stunning and a must see! Amazing creation by God! I'm from OR and have been through the Oregon caves many times and the explored the lava beds in CA, so I'm used to the caves being very cold, so I came all bundled up and with my heavy coat and the ranger told us when we bought our tickets that it would be hot and humid inside! I was shocked 😳. After we were done with the cavern tour, we went on one of the trail loop hikes. It made it a great day!

SEE PICTURE!!! You can't bring anything that could be dropped in the cave! It's one of the coolest caves we've ever been!! Amazingly old and impressive variety of formations, knowledgeable guide, easy walking, and fantastic light show in the throne room at the end of the tour. They have taken many precautions in the preservation of the cave. Plenty of parking, small gift shop, and cafe with outdoor seating.

We stayed in the RV campground for 3 nights with our 2 small dogs. The weather was cool at night, but the days were mid 60's to low 70's. Close to Benson and Sierra Vista if you need supplies or to a restaurant. Dogs enjoyed the trails and sitting out in the sun. The night sky view was amazing. Wished they had sewer hookups, but at least they have a dump station. Camp host had 2 cats that would sit outside in the daytime.

Very quiet. Nice restrooms. The trails are well maintained. Swiming Beach on Roper Lake with nice picnic area and restrooms. Great stargazing. Dollar store 1 mile from park entrance.

Very clean and well maintained campground. There are quite a few well maintained hiking trails with easy access from the campground. Did Foothills Loop and Guindani Loop (which is actually in Coronado national forest) Beautiful trails with amazing views.

The caverns were fantastic! Though I wish I could have taken a phone for photos on the inside, the tour e we took was great for memories!!! Great picnic area just outside the entrance too!

I did the rotunda and big room tours with Jaye and Mike as guides, plus hiked the foothills trail. The way the cavern's rock layers are tilted at 45 degrees, you can imagine the crazy uplift that must have happened; the rooms have a lot of vertical relief. The cave walls are well decorated and there are plenty of columns, stalactites, cave bacon, and lots of color. The foothills trail has a nice view of the landscape, plus some riperian woodlands; I saw a javelina! One point off because no photos are allowed inside the cave.

Worth every cent. Very happy we went. If you have little kids watch them carefully it’s slippery inside .

Phones are so powerful that stowing in a locker can be risky, even if the location is remote and secure. Maybe require cave tour attendees keep phones in zippered jacket pockets. Friendly volunteer guides, amazingly preserved cave, and a nice tour. Nice grounds. So nice to see this level of quality in park grounds.

We're so lucky to have this amazing place so close to Tucson! Kartchner Caverns is where we take any and all friends and family from out of town. The cave tour is incredible and the rangers are all fantastic. You can take the tour with different rangers and learn something new each and every time. Set aside 1.5 hrs for the tour and make sure not to wear anything you've worn in a previous mine or cave unless it's been thoroughly decontaminated! You can't bring anything with you in the cave, but there are handy & easy to use lockers you can store your stuff in. We also got to go on a bat walk with Ranger Susan and a few others. Susan is a wealth of information about all things bats and it's evident that she loves her job. We also got a chance to meet some volunteers and learn from them. They were brilliant as well. If you have mobility issues, you'll be fine on the walk. It's a short distance but it is a lot of standing so byo seating! Finally, as if a cave tour and bat walk weren't enough, we also got to join the Star Party happening in the parking lot. The dark skies at were magnificent and we were able to see the Milky Way clearly. We just had the best day and we're super grateful for everyone who works and volunteers at Kartchner Caverns.

I visited this place in April of 24' with family from out of town and what a great experience! Photos aren't allowed but it's a fantastic experience. The guides were very knowledgeable and are very happy to answer any questions from guests. We had enough time to look and appreciate the cavern and I'm sure it won't be the last time we go. Buy your tix in advance especially during busy season. Not only was it beautiful but also an excellent learning experience.

It is worth the visit. We did the Rotunda Throne Tour and this is one amazing discovery and well preserved caverns and they lighted is so well that it made them more beautiful to look at. We really enjoyed the tour. Photography and videos are not allowed inside the caves.

It was an amazing tour in the cavern. I highly recommend it to everyone! Very educational and interesting. No cameras or phones allowed inside the cavern but they do offer a photography tour once in a while and availability is limited. I suggest you make reservations prior to your visit. They have a small cafe at the Discovery Center called Bat Cave Cafe, and lots of souvenirs to purchase. From the tour, you will learn the history and discovery of the caves. Lots of interesting formations or growth inside the caves. Amazing tour, did not regret it at all! The whole place is very clean, even the campground and hiking trail is well kept.

Cool place! Did the Rotunda Room tour a couple days ago while visiting Sierra Vista. My friend and I both enjoyed ourselves and had a fun time hearing about the history of the caverns and the different features inside. A fun site was Kubla Kahn, the largest column in the state of Arizona. If you're ever in the area take tour, you won't regret it!

So glad we made the time for this during our trip! We did the Rotunda and Throne room tour. Our guide was Jaye and she was fantastic. Well worth a visit.

Cool place to see and possibly be here a whole day walking the and exploring the area. My husband, myself and our two dogs, had so much fun for like 4hrs. The entrance fee is $7 per vehicle. Plenty of parking. Bring water and provisions since this is a big park to see. Today the weather was cool but sunny so it was perfect for a long walk in the park. First time here but will return soon.

I made a reservation about a month and a half prior to our actual visit and the registration and purchasing of the tickets was super simple online. The day of, we arrived right on time and we proceeded inside. The ranger greeted us right away and he was very friendly. He then went over the list of items that are prohibited inside the cavern with cell phones being one of them. It was no issue for us since we had already left them in the car. The gift shop was still open so we browsed a little since we had time. Wanted to buy a few things but again, we had left our wallets in the car as well. They do have lockers onsite that you can rent for a small fee. The tour was great and very informative. it was so hot out though that the heat took a toll on us. I got so sleepy towards the end and just wanted it to be over. Our tour guide though was very informative and friendly. The cavern was breathtaking and it's amazing to see what they have found underneath. I was in shock and amazed the whole time.... Inside the caverns was very humid and not at all cold. We were sweating up in there and it literally felt like a sauna. Make sure to hydrate prior to your visit because water is not allowed inside! Overall the tour was about 2.5 hours and it was well worth it. I enjoyed these caverns more then the Carlsbad ones.

We've never met a SP or NP that was not 5* and Kartchner fits the bill. We've been wanting to come here for a couple years and finally made the 50 mile trek from Tucson. Well worth it. We went to the Big Room. Fricking amazing. Mother Nature has really done a number on the cave, and the story about the discovery is a story of human persistence. Of note: Our docent was excellent. Make sure you make reservations in advance!! Clean bathrooms thanks for that. Rules include, almost anything you have, is not allowed on the tour. Check the website. One amazing experience.

If you can get your reservation, this is a great day. From now to October, one area is closed to guests so the Bats can have a normal life. I like that. But , I need a set of four tickets for next week for the available cavern. And I will just have to just check back. Only one pair left for the whole day. A very desirable day trip from Tucson if you want a cave experience. We be been 3 or 4 times. The caves were discovered by ranchers on horseback and the hoof sounds were hollow like. A search following bats in and out led to a discovery with flashlights. The original footprints in the mud flat are still in place. A safe and secure day trip.

we visited the Kartchner caverns for the tour and it was AMAZING! Booked a cabin one week ahead of time for the night as well. Cabins were an easy check in from the information area. Ceiling fans, AC, fridg. and microwave. Sleeps 4 in the bunkbed area and a queen bed in the main room with a dining table for 4. Outside there is a picnic table and BBQ grill for cooking. Firewood is available to buy from the park employee on duty. Nice cabins and you bring all your own linens. Bathroom area for toilets and showers are public near the camping and cabin areas. Water levels are minimal at best for showers, toilets backed up and did not flush well. The bathroom area near the cabins were closed- under construction . So we had to hike about 8 minutes away to use the toilets. SO, when you make a reservation be sure and ask IF the bathroom/shower utilities are open and functioning!!

I was absolutely taken away and this place. I did a quick trip for this tour from Phoenix, this location sits just outside of Tucson and easy to navigate to and enjoy with the family. We booked a tour online for the caves, which was easy and convenient. Pictures are not allowed during the tour but this is definitely a "live in the moment" type of experience. They have a small theater to watch a quick film of the history of the caverns and a museum to walk through. The most convenient part about the tour is it is friendly for all. A small walk through and you are taken by a small trolley. I'm excited to return for more tours of different rooms and to visit new locations. Super neat!

Definitely one of the coolest caverns I've visited in my life. Privately owned and operated, this is not a federal park. We visited this place on a road trip, and it was definitely very cool to see. Highly suggest making a reservation in advance as we had to wait before we could get in. The tours only accommodate a certain number of people and goes only set number of times throughout the day. Definitely check their website before going. Inside the cave was very well-maintained, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and told us the history and story of this cavern and how it was discovered. It's definitely not as big as some of the other caverns in the south west region, but the inside is pretty cool looking. Good place to spend a couple of hours.

We booked a cave tour while vacationing in AZ. Reservations are highly recommended so we purchased tickets online for Rotunda tour for $23 each. The Big Room tour was unavailable due to the female bats in their pregnant state. Grounds are clean. Guides are informative. A short film can be viewed in the theatre for those interested in the history of the park. The caverns are wheelchair and/or walker accessible. Coin operated lockers are available to store all the items that are forbidden to take on the tour with you: bags, cameras, cell phones, backpack carriers, purses, packs, bottled water, strollers, etc. Leave your sunglasses behind too since it's dark and humid in the caves. After the tour, be sure to stop into the gift shop and walk a few of the surrounding trails. Overall, I found this tour fascinating. The guides enjoyed their jobs. The staff members at the information booth and gift shop were cold and borderline rude.

What a beautiful place. The cave tours are wonderful and the staff and guides helpful and knowledgeable, providing a great tour experience. One of the prettiest caves I've been to and the way the trails are done makes you feel as if you are actually exploring the cave. There are good hikes in the park also. The story of the discovery and protection of the cave by the two discoverers is inspiring. A great experience for young and old alike.

Awesome tour! We loved it! Had to leave phones in the car, but worth it. Spectacular on the inside.

A great experience, though sadly no photography allowed in the caves. Tour is really great, guides are super knowledgeable and make the entire experience without question more enjoyable than other State Park tours. Insider tip, plan your excursion during the winter months. Cavern is climate controlled around 70 degrees and 98% humidity. Walking outside after that into 100 degree heat would be unbearable.

What a great find on the way to Tombstone or wherever you travel. A "recent " addition to the state park system of only 25 years, this is a great place to visit. The staff are friendly, well organized and knowledgeable about this location. We could have spent hours there for free by watching videos, reading and visiting the gift shop. I suggest the underground tour however, mind the weather reports prior to arriving (hot desert conditions). Listen to the tour guides with regards to the weather conditions underground. It's humid in every sense of the word so hydrate prior to going. It was a remarkable experience.

We love this state park!! The cave tours are amazing and it is recommended you make reservations. This weekend we didn't go on a cave tour however we camped. The campground is exceptionally maintained! We were in site 46 and loved it because our trailer backed up to the hills. Our views were great. The camp sites are large so we had a great deal of privacy. The campground is a dark sky area so everyone is asked to shut off outside lights after 8:30 PM. The stars were incredible! There are hiking and mountain biking trails and we enjoyed many of them. Also there are nearby ghost towns which are fun to explore. We highly recommend this state park and cannot wait to return!

Awesome experience and not so far off the freeway. Helpful tour guides. Would definitely go back

So fun and loved that the campground was within walking distance! Great camp hosts too! Great experience being RV newbies!!

They offer two different tours and we decided to do both and it was well worth it. There is a nice visitor center to learn more about the caves and the area. You take a tram to the entrance of the caves and once inside you are not allowed to take pictures but what you will see will forever be etched in your memory. Truly a marvel of nature and incredible it was discovered.

Overall caverns were nice but the drive was long. The tour was informative but boring for kids.

1. You cannot take photos inside (whereas Carlsbad Caverns on their webpage tells us not to forget to bring our cameras!) 2. You pay twice: once to enter the park, a second time to enter the caves. It's like going to a museum and having to pay for the museum but also paying a fee to enter the building!

I did the "Big Room" tour- entire experience was phenomenal. Enjoyed walking thru the museum, learning the history of the area & browsing the gift shop. Tour guide was knowledgeable, informative & entertaining. Restrooms were very clean. Would highly recommend checking out a tour!

A MUST SEEE!!!! We were recommended to see this place by a welcome center we booked tickets online but mistakenly showed a day too early. They had a couple of people hadn't shown up and allowed us on. Our tour guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable and seemed as enthusiastic about the caves as us. Also a lot of dad jokes. The guide also interacted with everyone in the group. After the tour the guide gave us recommendations for other places to see including a restaurant MI Cassa which we really loved. This is a definite not to miss sight to see.

Kartchner Caverns State Park is absolutely beautiful! My grandfather and I took a cave tour of the "Big Room" which is closed during the summer months so that the bats can live in peace! The tour was incredible and extremely accessible for everyone. The entire path that you walk is paved and is even wheelchair accessible. I appreciated how knowledgeable our tour guide was and that he added humor to keep us all engaged. I also really respected how much the tour talked about how important the conservation of cave formations is and that they taught us how to be respectful of the beautiful environment before entering the cave. I would recommend a tour to anyone in the area!

Today my wife and I went on a morning tour. This is our 3 Cavern tours. It was amazing, the guide was great and answered questions after questions. The story of the cavern and how it was constructed was a work of art and protects the Cavern for the future. These people have the act together. The walkways are wheelchair accessible and very safe to walk. We are so glad we made the trip a wonderful experience. So far this has been the best cave adventure we've had. Thank you all for a wonderful time and for your devotion to preserve this treasure.

The campgrounds were very nice . Stayed in a cabin without a sink or bathroom. It was clean and had good insulation really quiet at night. The only slight issue we're the bathrooms had very low water pressure. Had to flush twice and the sinks were just a drip of water pressure. Hard to clean soap off hands. We think they were trying to prevent people from washing dishes. Showers were ok also low water pressure. Went on a cave tour it was nice a little long but informative.

Make reservations in advance to see or you won't be allowed to the cave. The area was still nice to hike around, restrooms were clean

Drive down yesterday from Phoenix for a day trip as I had the cave tour scheduled. Park rangers are super friendly and helpful. There is a tram that takes you to the entrance of the cave. The cave has a vault door and there are multiple segments that have vault doors. Due to COVID 19, you have to wear a mask during the tour. The cave is super humid and I found myself a bit nauseous looking at the darkness. I guess there is a term the rangers call it. The cave tour is pretty awesome, I just found after an hour my claustrophobia was kicking in partially because of the mask and humidity. There are guide rails inside and two rangers. After the tour I purchased an annual state park pass which they handled there. Lastly, they don't allow cameras or cell phones inside.

Here are my thoughts after going on both ranger-led tours in one day. Big Room Tour: There are many more stalactites in this section of the cavern. Moreover, it seemed the ranger mentioned more formations here, including the areas where the bats normally hibernate. Original tracks from the discoverers are in both rooms, though in the Big Room they have been used by other scientists. From a rarity standpoint, the Big Room has less tours per day and is closed when the bats nest inside. .. Rotunda / Great Room: In addition to the massive column "Kubla Khan", you get to see a bacon formation up close. .. Bottom line - both tours are awe inspiring.

Loved it! Love how they took the time to preserve it. It's an amazing example of a living cave.

Big discovery center nice camping and great tour and trails. It was a solid park on our travels

Very informative and pretty. Was 1 hour and 45 minutes long then we watched a movie and checked all the displays inside the building. There is camping there too.

Oh the things you'll see and LEARN. What an amazing experience for me and my daughter. She showcased and profiled all of her head knowledge on stalactites and cool topics you learn in 7th grade. But for kiddos and adults alike, there are a bevy of neat things to learn about bats and caves. The guide was amazing and funny making the tour engaging. Make a day trip Out of this experience and rest up at a nearby resort in Tucson or off the beaten path in Benson.

I can't recommend this venue higher than 5 stars or I would. Speaking as a docent myself I have to say that Ranger Brody is one of the best guides I've ever encountered in 45 years of roaming this planet, funny and informative at the same time. The caverns are absolutely fascinating to see and explore and coupled with a marvelous fellow like Ranger Brody the whole experience was absolutely first rate. Don't miss this underground adventure or you'll regret it.

We had a great experience today with Ranger Joe giving our tour of the Rotunda room. I can't say enough how much I learned and appreciated the passion for keeping the caverns at peace and without disturbance. The tour was a good length, very educational without being boring or redundant. The views are spectacular. Such a beautiful experience.

We ventured out of Tucson where we were vacationing to visit Kartchner Caverns State Park. It was early Friday afternoon and not busy. We did the "Big Room" Tour, which I booked on-line prior to our trip. We learned how this amazing underground cavern was discovered accidentally by two local cavers, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts. Photographs inside the cavern are prohibited The tour guide mentioned that the park has just reopened for the tours a week ago. There are bats that migrate to the cave to give birth and then leave once their babies learn to be independent. The state park had an excellent visitor center that was informative.

Great place! Easy to find, the caves are super cool and they have a nice little gift shop.

Another exciting and nature inspired adventure within our beautiful state. Kartchner's has been on my bucket list of things to see and worth every penny (23.00) and traveltime. It was first discovered by two brave and adventurous cave explorers, Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen in late 1974 at the foothills of the Whetstone Mtns, just south of Tucson. And over a series of years, eventually the proprietors, the Kartchner Family sold and Az state parks acquired it in 1988. After 10 years of unforeseen obstacles in the development, the upper caverns finally opened in 1999 to the public and then 4 years later in 2003, the lower caverns. All tours are guided and you need to reserve way in advance, as tours fill up a month or more out. We were lucky and booked within a couple of weeks of our visit right before the holidays. Due to covid, they are limiting tour groups to 6, half of the usual size. It made it nice for safety reasons and it felt more like a private tour. They don't allow cameras, phones, backpacks, bags, etc on the tour, as well as food or drink. The place is amazing; what the state park has done to preserve these caves by putting forth great efforts in sustaining its uniqueness of being a 'living' cave. This means that all formations and life are uninterrupted or untainted by foreigners. Afterall, the caves has been alive for more than 200,000 BCE. We booked our tour for the 'Big Room', which is a half mile long and takes 1hour and 45 minutes. The first part of the tour is going over safety protocols for visitors AND for the 'living' cave. I appreciated their attention in regards to this. Masks are required. Anne, our tour guide was very informative and told us about the discovery, the different formations and their origins, and biological life then and now. The paths are all man-made, walkable with handrails along the whole trail making sure the walkways and the cave are well lit. The visitor center includes a nice Gift shop, well done Discovery center, and a cafe annex. The center is surrounded with beautiful desert botanicals, artifacts, campgrounds, and 3 hiking trails from 2 - 4.5 miles long with moderate to difficult areas to hike. I'm so glad I checked this one off my list. It's a long history of natural wonder still in the making, once hidden, and now available for us all to see. Thank you Gary, Randy, the Kartchners and all those that made this possible!

This state park is more than what you see under ground. The trails are breathtaking. Took the Guindani trail clock wise, it was a challenge but worth every step. The view was unbelievable and I wasn't even to the top, stopped to catch my breath. The backside was just as wonderful. Amazing how the two could be so different. 4.52 miles and 2 liters of water later, I'm back in the parking lot having my lunch at a picnic table. Closer to the center are two more trails. Will check those out on my next visit.

I just went inside the cave twice in one day and already thinking when can I go back? Kartchner caverns has been on my list for a long time but never had time to plan it right as they require advanced reservation. I did the big room tour in the morning and came back for helmet and headlamp tour at 5:30pm on the same day. I've been to some caves and caverns but never seen so well preserved caves in the past. This cave is still alive and still growing! Thanks to two men originally discovered the cave, keeping the secret for 14 years until the State Park took over, they are preserved the best possible way. Big room tour is offered from Oct to April while bats are away for hibernation. After all bats have been calling this cave for at least 43,000 years, we go inside only when they are not there. Headlamp tour is offered only on Saturday at 5:30pm for up to 15 people. Led by two of very knowledgeable and enthusiastic state park guides, evening tour is something must do if you are not afraid of dark. Since all of us on the tour agreed, we all turned off the lamps and really enjoyed a moment of pure darkness and silence. Never been to anywhere that dark. Can't see anything but felt so peaceful. Headlamp tour is also interesting. You get to shine where you want to see, and I discovered more than earlier daytime tour where we see the direction where a guide will shine the flash light. I learned so much from two tours I took in one day, but still want to come back again soon. No pictures allowed, wish I could share what I saw here but I guess you just have to visit to experience that. Something to keep in mind at your visit, make reservation, wear a short sleeve shirts (and bring jacket that you can wrap around your waist). Comfortable walking shoes. No bags, cell phone, water bottle allowed. I just had my car key safely inside my zipped jacket pocket (you don't want to accident drop your key). So when can I go back again?

This is a beautifully appointed campground. Well spaced sites, electrical/water hookups at all the RV sites, fire rings, tables, nicely graveled pads, clean restrooms and showers, plus free WiFi. We stayed here for four days three nights Thursday to Sunday in late January 2021. Daytime temps were in the high fifties with sunshine and a few clouds, nighttime lows in the low forties/high thirties. Campfires were allowed during our stay, a rare amenity in Arizona right now. Firewood available from the friendly camp hosts at $7 a bundle. Make your reservations for the campground early...we booked 90 days out, as this is a popular snow bird getaway. Side note: book your cavern tour early as well, as day of tour tickets are rare. The two hour cavern tour is a true "must do." Don't miss the opportunity to see one of Arizona's rare underground attractions. The campground is set back from the main Highway just enough, and with the surrounding trees noise is mitigated very well. Nearby Benson has supplies, propane, groceries, etc if necessary. There is both a Safeway and ACE Hardware 15 minutes from the CG. This is a wonderfully appointed and staffed Arizona campground, we are already booking our reservations for May 2021 for the other cavern tour. We will be back.

Our cabin was truly perfect! Loved the table inside so we could play games. The refrigerator and microwave were so convenient for us. What a dream to have AC and heating. Great view of the mountain and we had a great time taking a sunset hike from the grounds. The bathrooms were immaculate and so convenient from the cabin. Would definitely come back. Appreciated how kind everyone was. The Rotunda Tour was magical! So impressed by the guides and all that is being done to preserve this Arizona treasure

We loooove Kartchner Caverns. The campground is pretty, clean and has views of the mountains. The bathrooms are adequate and clean. Spacious sites. The trails are through the very unique and special riparian desert. The cave tour is awe inspiring. Though not as big as Carlsbad Caverns, Kartchner Caverns is just gorgeous. We have been there twice. This last time there was a man using a wheel chair and he was able to take the whole tour (he was leaning on the chair though, so I do not know if a person would be able to wheel themselves up the gentle switchbacks, but there is room and a smooth surface for wheel chairs and walkers). The exhibits and gift shop inside the welcome center are quite nice.

This is a beautiful area for hiking, enjoying the outdoors and of course the cave tours. They offer different types of tours. All tours are wheel chair accessible and can be taken by people with different abilities. The Big room is only open from mid October to mid April. It is a maternity cave for bats who inhabit the cave during the summer so the big room is closed at that time of year to allow the bats to breed and have their young. This part of the cave has more color and formations. It takes just under 2 hours to complete the tour. Children under 7 can not attend. The throne room and rotunda tour are available all year round. Also fully accessible and available for the entire family to enjoy. This tour takes about 1 and a half hours to complete. They have other tours available at certain times as well. Their is a sign language tour and a helmet and headlamp tour. This is a living cave. Water still flows and formations are still forming. The guides are park rangers. All knowledgeable and friendly. If you don't have time for the tours or if you have extra time available there is a great visitor center. It has a short film that details the history of the caves as well as a lot of information about the caves and the area. There's a hummingbird garden outside as well as a few exhibits showing some of the equipment used in making. Kartchner what it is today. Same day tours are generally available for the rotunda and throne room tour if you're flexible on time. The big room sells out frequently so it's best to plan if possible. A small snack cafe and clean restrooms await as well. This is a do not miss if you are in the area.

Spent the afternoon with my wife at kartchner caverns and was more than impressed by the quality of the facility. Our guide Rich was overly qualified but extremely entertaining on our guide through the caverns. Even without such a knowledgeable guide it would have been a memorable experience however he made it extraordinary. Will definitely be back and bring family members to this remarkable place when they come to visit us from across the country