Discover Kartchner Caverns

Discover desert ecosystems at Kartchner Caverns State Park & learn fun & unique things about the outdoors. Kartchner Caverns State Park's events in July include presentations on bats, worms, gold, cave animals, bat houses, snakes & tractors.

John Hawkins explains that worms are your friends at "Worms: Not Just for Bait" on Saturday, July 1st, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. By the end of the program you'll be able to decide whether you want to leave the planet in as good or better condition than you found it.

Kartchner Caverns State Park is in association with Power from the Past Association, presents Kartchner Caverns State Park Engine & Tractor Show on July 1st thru 4th from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot at Kartchner Caverns State Park. During the show operating antique engines will pump water, make ice cream, generate electricity, & more. There will also be a static display of antique tractors.

Saturday, July 8th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Peggy Quiatt will present "Bats: Friend or No?" In Chinese lore bats are considered symbols of good luck & happiness. Join them to find out what bats are, how they live & reproduce, what is harmful to them, what benefit they are to humans, & why they have been revered in other parts of the world. (This program is open to visitors 4th grade & above).

Ed Moskwa will show you how to make your own bat house on Tuesday, July 11th from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Have you ever been sitting in your yard & been bothered by mosquitoes, flies, or other flying insects? Have you planted a garden & had your plants destroyed by insects? We have answers for you at "BATS (Bats Are Truly Sensational)."

On Saturday, July 15th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., come & join Susan Stucker on an adventure as she unveils the small world that lives inside our caves. Where did the animals come from that live inside Kartchner Caverns? What do they eat? Where does their food come from? How do they get around in the dark & why would they rather live inside a cave?
Explorers can discover historic mining in nearby Coronado National Forest with Mike Woods on Tuesday, July 18th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. See a display of mining photos & artifacts as Woods discusses the 20th century mining of tungsten, quartz, fluorite & uranium.

On Saturday, July 22nd from 11 to 11:45 a.m., Emily Bennett will give you an up-close & personal look at a live, common desert snake as you learn more about its fascinating behavior & physiology. Whether you love them or loathe them, join us for insights into the integral role snakes play in our desert ecosystem.

Throughout the entire month make reservations for guided tours inside the cave & experience the wonder of cave discovery. Reservations are made by calling (520) 586-CAVE (2283) or online at www.azstateparks.com. There are 2 different hiking trails to hike at your own leisure, a hummingbird garden, a Discovery Center & a 15-minute movie about the cave.

Kartchner Caverns State Park is located on Highway 90, 9 miles South of I-10 near Benson, Arizona. Park hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Discovery Center hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park is open daily except for Christmas Day, & closes a 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Eve.

Park Entrance Fee is $5 per vehicle for up to 4 adults. There is an additional charge of $2 per adult for more than 4 adults. (The Park Entrance fee is waived with a tour reservation). Arizona State Park Annual Pass is sold for $45 (some restrictions apply) & Premium Annual Pass is sold for $100.

For more information about Kartchner Caverns State Park's special programs in July please call (520) 586-4100.