Kartchner Caverns State Park

Hike, explore the cave & attend special February programs featuring bats, snakes & cave eco-systems. Remember it's better to book Kartchner Caverns State Park cave tours online or by phone before leaving for the park as there are only 100 walk-up tickets per day.

On Feb. 10th, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., about "Worms: Not Just for Bait." Ranger John Hawkins explains that worms are your friends (They’ll discuss the composting Egyptian red worms).

On Feb. 13th, from 11:30 a.m. - 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 we talk about the 20th century mining of tungsten, quartz, fluorite & uranium.

On Feb. 17th, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Ranger Peggy Quiatt will present "Bats: Friend or No?" 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 Feb. 20th, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.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 Feb. 21st, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Ranger Rachel McKay will present "Javelina - Don't Call Me a Pig!"

On Feb. 24th, from 10 - 11 a.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. Join them for insights into the integral role snakes play in our desert ecosystem.

Make advance 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 - 13 (children 6 & younger are free). Big Room Tours are available for $22.95 for ages 14 & up and $12.95 for those aged 7 - 13 (children 6 & younger are not allowed on the Big Room Tour). The Park Entrance fees waived with a tour reservation made in advance. Reservations can be made by calling (520) 586-CAVE (2283) or at azstateparks.com.

The Park Entrance Fee's normally $5 per vehicle for up to 2 adults. There's a charge of $2 per adult for each additional adult passenger.

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