Hike & Explore The Kartchner Caverns

Hike, explore the cave and attend special January programs featuring bats, snakes & cave eco-systems. Remember to book the cave tours in advance as some days do sell out.

On Tues., Jan. 9th, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., explorers can discover historic mining in nearby Coronado National Forest with Ranger Mike Woods. See a display of mining photos & artifacts as they talk about the 20th century mining of tungsten, quartz, fluorite & uranium.
On Sat., Jan. 13th, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ranger 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. (Open to visitors 4th grade & above.)

On Tues., Jan. 16th, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Ranger Ed Moskwa will show you how to make your own bat house. 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? They have the answer for you at "BATS (Bats Are Truly Sensational)."

On Sat., Jan. 20th, from 1 to 1:45 p.m., come & join Ranger 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?

On Tues., Jan. 23rd, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., Ranger Rachel McKay will present "Javelina - Don't Call Me a Pig!" Where did the javelina come from? Why do they eat prickly pear cactus? Learn why they smell so bad. Whether you love them or think they are pests, come learn about the javelina & how they have adapted to life in the desert.

On Sat., Jan. 27th, from 2 to 2:45 p.m., Ranger 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 them for insights into the integral role snakes play in our desert ecosystem.

Make reservations for guided tours inside the cave & experience the wonder of cave discovery. Rotunda Tours are available for $18.95 for ages 14 & up & $9.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children 6 & younger are free). Big Room Tours are available for $22.95 for ages 14 & up & $12.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children 6 & younger are not allowed on the Big Room Tour). Reservations are not required but are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling (520) 586-CAVE (2283) or online at azstateparks.com.

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

The Park Entrance Fee is $5 per vehicle for up to 2 adults. There's a charge of $2 per adult for each additional adult passenger. (The Park Entrance fee's waived with a tour reservation). An Arizona State Park Annual Pass is sold for $45 (some restrictions apply) & a Premium Annual Pass is sold for $100. To book a tour or get information about Kartchner Caverns State Park call (520) 586-2283.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703 or visit the website at azstateparks.com.