About 55 miles east-then-south of Tucson (south of Benson)

History & Nature

Discovered in 1974, Kartchner Caverns is home to many outstanding features, including remarkable minerals and formations in this massive limestone cave. It became an Arizona State Park in 1988, and, to this day, the park works to conserve its living cave as the limestone caverns are still developing.

The caverns are extremely protected thanks to the delicate lighting and the minimal human disturbance upheld by park staff.

Things to Do

On your visit, take a guided tour for an intimate experience with the incredible underground world. The Throne Room and Big Room tours allow you to discover the delicate ecosystem of long-hidden limestone caves. Be sure to get a look at the world’s longest known “Soda Straw” stalactite before the end of your visit.

The 23,000-square-foot Discovery Center is another must-see at Kartchner Caverns. The center explains many aspects of the cave, including geology, the bat population and paleontology. Interactive exhibits help to explain the discovery of the cave and how formations develop, while a multi-screen video introduces you to Kartchner Caverns’ discoverers and their underground journey.