First rule of the cave.. no pictures lol. Hence, no pictures are attached. They say it's because of accidents reported from people not paying attention. Also, basically nothing is allowed in the cave. They had lockers that takes quarters but as far as I saw, no machine, you have to exchange with cash soooo prepare ahead. Leaving things in the car felt some what okay but not my favorite. I would appreciate if they had more security. They say they are not government funded so everything comes from public support. This was such a cool experience. You can tell the amount of work and detail they've put into the cave and preserving it. Truly different than other caves I've been to. There are two different parts of the cave you can choose from. If you can't do both my preference was the big room tour. I felt there was more to it, more things to see. Also, (sorry parents) perhaps the age limit made it more enjoyable too. Our tour guide Charles was INCREDIBLE. We did both tours back to back 0945 big room tour and 12 rotunda. Timing was perfect. Enough time to use the restroom and eat a snack. We brought our snacks, their cafe was closed. It would be an enjoyable experience to eat a packed lunch outside not sure if it's 100% allowed. Beginning of April was a GORGEOUS day. There's a McDonald about 12 min away. The big room tour is a man made/marked out, well paved easy walk/route. If you're worried about endurance or handiaccesible, it seems very accessible. The rotunda seemed a bit more incline but still well paved. You can wear white shoes and you wouldn't get dirty lol. I don't recommend open toes shoes/sandals because the Floor is very moist/wet. BOOK AHEAD. At least 2 weeks ahead to get the slots you want. If you're by yourself then a lot easier. It sells out quickly Restrooms were very clean and plentiful. As you wait for your tour guide before taking the tram to the cave there are another set of restrooms so that's appreciated. They want you to get there 30 min before. There really wasn't anything much to do ahead, it's just a simple check in. They have a mini museum that's nice to look around. You can get some good pictures outside prior or after the tour. Are both caves a must see, my bf says yes. I'm in between. If I would go back I would choose the big room tour again but that also has limited time opening due to the bats. As an AZ local or visiting this is a very enjoyable spot read more

Largest wheelchair accessible cave in North America? Yes please. My review of the tour is incapable of describing the magnitude of what you'll experience. You see structures that are a million years old. You see rock layers millions of years old. Everything about this experience forced me to reflect on my place in the universe. That there has been a near infinite amount of history before me and there will be a near infinite amount of history after me. So I need to stop worrying and enjoy the majesty of this beautiful cave. read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park - Parks Near Me - Benson, Arizona

As much as I love going underground and at this point have about 15 caves explored in AZ under my belt, I only finally made it to this one this weekend. Our caving group was having our winter conference here and it was really nice to use the visitor center's auditorium for our all day presentations. I learned about the invertebrates that live in caves, herpetology, bats and lots of other really fun topics about caves! Auditorium was very comfortable and all the IT worked great and the projector and acoustics were perfect. Seats also very comfortable. Later that day, some of us signed up for the headlamp tour of the Big Room that started at 5:30pm, which is only offered on Saturdays in the fall/winter. I was able to use my own headlamp and helmet. This tour is $50 and the price is higher than their regular tours, which is $30 for adults and all the lights in the cavern are on. The tour was good and I'm glad the proceeds of my ticket go to support this park. Phones aren't allowed into the cavern, so I took no pics. We also stayed in one of the 4 cabins on the campgrounds and it was fabulous. Cabin was super cozy and can sleep 6, one bed and two bunk beds. Cabins also come with a dining table, microwave and small fridge. Bathrooms right across from the cabin. Porch on the front and also a picnic table available. Fire pit also available. I had firewood but we could not make a fire because of rain. This was definitely glamping! And it was lovely. I would definitely do this again. Saw some fun turkeys too! A few things to note here, there is a Bat Cave Cafe on site open 11am - 2pm, however, it was difficult to get anything here as there was only one person working and a lot of us here. I brought my lunch from home. Night headlamp tour was fun but for $50, not sure how it differs from the day tours. But, do know that AZ state taxes don't go to supoort this park, so your tour ticket supports this park, so I can be OK with that. Its pretty amazing that two college students crawled their way thru a 10-12 inch sinkhole and then found this place! I am still in awe of this amazing discovery! And this is well before all the fancy equipment was available like lidar to help with uncovering new caves. And, once these guys, Tufts and Tenen found this cavern in 1974, they kept it a secret for awhile to protect against vandalism and damage. And in 1999, the cavern was open to the public. As someone who deeply loves caves, seeing this place was like one of the best sojourns for me! Im so glad I came to see this show cave! And please, let's all do our part to make sure caves are conserved so we can all enjoy them for a long time to come. read more

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This is an absolute visit. There are three tours you can take. The big room is closed Aprilish-Octoberish so make sure it's open if you go. I recommend taking the throne room tour first then the big room. You will not be disappointed. Just know no cameras or phone and/or photography allowed in the caverns. That's why I just have the outside. We gave 90minutes between tours so we could rest a bit and enjoy the visitors center. Definitely good time. read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park - Visitors center entrance - Parks Near Me - Benson, Arizona

Drive down from Prescott to visit. Im a big cave guy, so I was looking forward to this. This place has an amazing story of how it came to be & the process to become a state park. I was disappointed I couldnt take any pictures... nope, no electronics of any kind allowed inside, but the tour is wonderful. I did the Rotunda room as I read that was the best for first timers. The formations were very interesting & though Ive visited probably 20+ caves & caverns, no two are anything alike. Always a great experience... read more

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Karson was our guide for The Big Room tour on Nov 10 and was a great interpreter of the natural wonders in Kartchner. A knowledgeable and engaging guide who made it fun for all ages. What to know: you're on your feet for 90 minutes on this tour but it is not strenuous or difficult. It's a constant temperature of 74 and dampness is all around you. Karson took care to explain the significance of the environment and the efforts underway to preserve the cavern as a living cave. Highly recommend. No photos because cameras were not permitted on our tour. They do one photography tour once a month. I'm sure you could get some compelling images, but this was our first time here. I might try one of the other tours next time. Note: Because The Big Room is a breeding ground for an ecologically significant bat, it is only open part of the year. read more

Revisit. We love this place. Amazing natural beauty, excellent docents and staff. This time we took our 6yo grandson. He loved it. He was getting a little antsy at the end, but he got over it. He's a good listener. He would not be allowed in the Big Room since they have an older age limit. Make sure you make online reservations. Restaurant was closed so we went into Benson and dined at the Horseshoe Inn. read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park - Parks Near Me - Benson, Arizona

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This state park does not get enough recognition! Even as an Arizona resident who has occasionally heard about this place over the years, I did not expect to be totally awestruck by the sights. For some background: Kartchner Caverns is a living cave system in which new formations are in actively progress, and it's incredibly well-protected. We took the Rotunda/Throne Tour and were completely happy with the decision. This tour focuses a lot on the science behind formations, and our tour guide was so informative about stalagmites, stalactites, draperies, and more -- and he answered all our questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. The climax is a gorgeous view of Kubla Khan, a massive formation created over thousands of years. (No photos allowed, so definitely worth seeing for yourself!) I was so impressed by the conservation efforts. They have a strict no-touch policy (and will mark and clean anywhere guests accidentally touch). Plus, they ask that you don't wear shoes that have recently been in caves to protect the bats from contamination. The staff even had petri dishes laying around for a temporary experiment on how far debris from guests (hair, dust, etc ) travels. I cannot wait to go back for the Big Room Tour, which dives deeper into how the explorers found the cave. This place truly reminds you of how much larger the earth is than ourselves! read more

This is a fascinating tour and we highly recommend it. Just a 2 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix and less than an hour from Tucson is a charming, perfectly maintained and professionally managed monster cave with an enjoyable and educational 1/2 mile, almost 2-hour tour. It is a grand tour of how natural art is created by water interacting with rock, creating incredible formations, the preservation of 45,000-year-old bat guano, a pre-historic sloth, and find out about the cave fauna, mutually living and ancient deposits. One gets to find out about how the cavern was discovered, the difficulty in maneuvering through the labyrinth of passages (if they can be called that), and how they went about constructing its myriads of walkways and lighting in order for patrons to enjoy the facility. Don't miss the Rotunda or Big Room tours! Their almost all volunteer team at Kartchner Caverns are knowledgeable and lively in their presentation and their care for this unique geological treasure as if it were their own. Kudos to the staff and management. read more

Pretty cool experience, but you can't take your phone down there. The guide was amazing and my kids loved it. Well preserved . Great stop if you are in the area. read more

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We booked a group 6 people for a tour, drove down two hours to see this cave and when we arrived we found out that even though the online reservation system said "Confirmed time" and showed the tour as booked, there is according to the employees a "tricky second submit button". So because of their misleading and confusing booking system our tour did not actually get booked and they had since sold the last available spots, so we wasted our entire day. They guy at the counter said "oh yeah if you had any idea how many people get upset about this you'd be surprised, it happens ALL the time." WELL THEN FIX THE ISSUE. They don't seem to care. This is a regular problem but rather than fix the website to prevent this from happening to other people, they do nothing. Pretty frustrating. read more

What a fantastic tour they offer! You will take a tram ride to the entrance and you will have a tour guide (Ranger) along with an assistant. In our group this consisted of Sandy and Nancy. The knowledge of the guides is amazing and we all got answers to our questions. The job of preserving the caverns has been painstakingly taken care of to help preserve for generations to come. A very professional job from start to finish. Please note that you cannot bring photography equipment inside the cavern unless you have specifically booked a tour for that purpose. read more

Quite the adventure. The grounds surrounding the park are terrific. Ample parking, with large spaces for RV's. There are camping spaces aa well. The whole area is clean and w we ll maintained. The caverns. The care of this special environment is so well thought out and professionally carried out. If you've ever wanted to experience a cave site, this is an outstanding opportunity. It is a guided tour that is handicap accessible. Only about 1.5 hour and quite an adventure. read more

Nice visitor center. Beautiful garden out front. The employees were very helpful. The trails are definitely not for the casual "walker". Very loose rocky trails. Lots of protruding rocks as well. Bring a hiking stick and plenty of water. Beautiful walk. Can't wait to try the cavern tour. I live 5 miles from the park so this will become our go to hike. **Followup** just went back today 4/10 and hiked the Ocotillo trail( 3.9 miles) While it is longer and easier than Foothills,it is by no means a "walk in the park". Pay attention or you will walk right past at least 2 of the benches. Beautiful scenery. I saw someone pass me with flip flops on....instagram hiker I assume! Anyway don't be fooled by this trail. As always, plenty of water and a walking stick are a must. Enjoy and be safe !! read more

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. read more

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The caverns are impressive, but they have some very annoying rules: - no cameras or smartphones (!!) (Nope, I have no photos.) - "no food or drink past this point" at the door of Visitor Center (?!) but despite that, when I asked, they said a water bottle is OK, as long as it has a cap, and they couldn't explain the contradiction - leave all purses and bags in a locker, and the lockers aren't free (!!) and require four quarters (who has that?!!) and there's no change machine (!!) and you have to go inside to ask for quarters in exchange for bills (!!) GRRR. read more

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. read more

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We had tour guide chuck on our second visit here and were less than impressed. Several months ago, I did the tour with my mom and the guide was fantastic and gave so much info, and we desperately wanted to return with other family members. This time around, I was looking forward to getting the same experience and re-learning the small details that I hadn't remembered and sharing it with new family members. However, with chuck, he seemed to just be into sarcastic jokes and talking about nothing. We asked him about the bats (which the caves are known for - and we got great info about on our first visit) and he gave us sarcastic responses about how bats leave in the dark and how they can't teach them to use doors. He made me feel stupid for asking the question so I could properly relay the info again. Then, in the room with the muddy tracks, we were taught initially about sloth findings and even bones from horses, etc. However, with chuck, someone asked if animals come in and chuck said no, there are no animals underground. So I corrected him to say that I previously learned that there were sloths prehistorically and more modern-day evidence of animals, to which he eventually admitted to. While looking at kubla khan, he said "it's 60 feet...or 58 feet... or 59.5 feet...I don't remember I wish I would have written it down." That seems like a basic detail to know about the main attraction of the tour. He knew some details about the formations of rocks and chemical properties, etc, but gave such random details, that I really didn't retain any info from this visit and I kept trying to relay the info to my guests that I learned previously. He also gave very minor knowledge or information about not touching/didn't warn about the importance or even ask if anyone had contaminated shoes/etc, didn't take door closing and opening very seriously (he left it up to us to close? Which seemed weird) I would not recommend chuck and I feel bad that these tour guests get the experience they do from him. I will have to google history and details about the cave so I can learn. I wish I could come back and have a redo. Visitors should not be belittled or talked down to for asking questions and given the wrong information. Hopefully chuck was just having a bad day because this was unacceptable. read more

I've been in many cavern tours and this has got to be the best. It is huge and highly decorated (by mother nature of course). They take very serious protecting the cave, if anything gets touched other than the railing and walking path, they mark it and come back in the evening to clean it to keep the cave as pristine and natural as possible And best of all, it is wheel chair accessible- and they have wheel chairs available to borrow. If you are in the area, I highly recommend taking the time to visit. The cavern tours are very popular so it is best to make reservations. Even in the slower seasons, tours are booked in advance. read more

I have been wanting to go here and Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico for over 20 years. I finally got to go here and it didn't disappoint. They wouldn't let us take cameras or phones inside so no pictures. You will definitely have to go to see for yourself. read more

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I went with the family and relatives to visit the caverns. The tour guide was pretty good and very knowledgeable. We promptly began our tour at 9 with overview and explanation/timing of the tour. They did warn us that it would be 71 degrees and 99% humidity in the caverns but you don't realize how stuffy/smelly that is until you go into it. You're not allowed to carry any phones/etc with you into the cavern tour so make sure you not only go to the bathroom before but don't take anything with you. I would recommend just not bringing a jacket as it's just one extra thing to carry. The cavern itself was beautiful and you truly realize how time passes and our own lives are just a blip. If you're in the area I would definitely recommend visiting the caverns. read more

The visitor center is very well done and the cavern tour is fantastic. Be prepared to be on your feet for over an hour. There are two different tours visiting different parts of the cave network. The facility is top notch and there is plenty of parking. read more

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. read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park - Parks Near Me - Benson, Arizona

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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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

I recently visited Kartchner Caverns, and overall the experience was a bit too touristy and commercialized for my taste. The entire tour is on paved paths with handrails, which makes it very accessible but takes away from the "natural cave" feel. Our guide was extremely enthusiastic -- maybe a little too much at times. The "big room" light show was a bit underwhelming, with corny inspirational music and fading lights that didn't really add much to the experience. That said, the history of how the cave was discovered was fascinating, and it was very cool to see the original entry path into the cave. I'd maybe recommend checking it out if you're already in the area, but I wouldn't call it a must-see. read more

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! read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park - Parks Near Me - Benson, Arizona

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The Big Room is amazing, docent was very knowledgeable and personable, tour price was reasonable. The cave and the park grounds were immaculate. My only complaint was leaving my cell phone behind but that's relatively minor. You aren't allowed to take photos either. read more

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. read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park - Parks Near Me - Benson, Arizona

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. read more

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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. read more

Online booking system is a disaster. Booked one day ahead. I wanted the Big Room Tour but said there were no spaces available. Then I booked Rotunda. Then went back to tours and Big Room had availability! I booked Big Room. Then I tried to cancel Rotunda and it says my payment hasn't gone through yet - come back and try again in 24-48 hours! Never got an email confirmation for either tour. Called the next morning to try to cancel by phone and was told "no, you received cancellation information with your tickets and you have to cancel by 5 pm day before tour, and I'll send you that email again". I still have no email confirmation of any tickets! Now I'm stuck taking two tours because they won't offer refunds. WATCH OUT HOW YOU USE THE ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM AND GOOD LUCK! read more

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! read more

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Just a fabulous experience! The care the state has taken to preserve these caverns is amazing; the guides and staff are unfailingly pleasant and informed, the museum is terrific, and both the tours are just wonderful. The story of the discovery and development of the caverns is a refreshing reminder that well-intentioned and determined people really can make a difference. The nearby town of Benson is fun and friendly and the entire experience is just wonderful. A real gem, exceptionally worth the visit!! read more

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. read more

We stayed there for 3 nights in September 2025 which happened to coincide with one of the worst lightning/thunder/rain storms in recent history but the park management made sure we were comfortable and safe. Our kids stayed in their trailer and we stayed in one of the cabins. Wonderful tour of the caverns and excellent staff. They even mailed us something that we accidentally left there. Can't recommend this experience highly enough!! read more

I was very surprised at how handicap accessible it was. We had never been in caverns before and we were very impressed with how they are keeping everything so clean from garbage, lint, temperature control, etc...right down to if we have worn our shoes in other caverns. They are very diligent in keeping the caverns from dying. read more