Kartchner Caverns is a stunning limestone cave discovered in 1974 in Southeastern Arizona that opened to the public in 1999. The cave flourishes underground with 99 percent humidity, while the desert above it's only ten percent.
The caverns feature a variety of 32 different calcite formations created by the water percolating down through the desert's the surface.
Cave tours can be booked one year in advance with Throne/Rotunda and Big Room tours available all winter. The Big Room is closed Apr. 16-Oct 1 so the mother bats can roost and raise their young in that part of the cavern, and the Rotunda/Throne Room is closed to allow for scientific monitoring and assessment from October 10 through December 14.
Prices for the tours are $22.95 for adults and $12.95 for children age (7-13) and customers may book up to a maximum of 20 tickets. Tours run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A two loop Campground is located off of the main road past the Discovery Center on the southwest end of the park. Camping fees are $25 per night.
The park's Discovery Center features museum exhibits, a large gift shop, regional displays, a theater, educational information about the caverns and the surrounding landscape. There are also hiking trails, lockers, shaded picnic areas, a cafe, an amphitheater, and a hummingbird garden. For more information call (602) 542-4174 (outside of metro area call toll-free at 800-285-0373) or visit AZStateParks.com.
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