Colossal Cave
Vail, AZ, 70°F inside, from $24
70°F
inside, all year
Kartchner Caverns
Arizona
$30.00
adult ticket
An Arizona state park cave seen only on guided cave tours, which are ticketed separately; booking a tour waives the park entry fee.
The story
Cavers Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts found the cave in 1974 and kept it secret to protect its fragile formations. They told landowners James and Lois Kartchner in 1978 and worked with the family and the state to protect it. Arizona acquired it for its park system in 1988, and after years of careful development it opened for tours in 1999.
- Found
- 1974
- Open to visitors since
- 1999
History source: azstateparks.com and the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies.
What you'll see
- Kubla Khan
- Rotunda/Throne Tour
- Big Room Tour
- Discoverers' original trail
- 45,000-year-old bat guano
Tickets and timing
- Adults
- $30.00 for adults 14+ (Rotunda/Throne and Big Room tours)
- Kids
- $15.00 for youth 7–13; $5.00 for children under 7 (Rotunda/Throne Tour)
- How long it takes
- Rotunda/Throne Tour: 1½ hours; Big Room Tour: 1¾ hours
- Hours
- Discovery Center 8am–5pm (8am–2pm Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve; closed Christmas).
- Booking
- Cave tour tickets are extra; the park entry fee ($10–$20 per vehicle) is waived with a tour reservation.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- Half a mile in length; some passages may pass through narrow or enclosed areas
- Wheelchairs
- The trail system inside the cave was developed specifically for people with limited mobility; parking areas, campgrounds, picnic areas, and buildings are wheelchair accessible.
- Strollers
- Strollers and backpack carriers are not permitted on the tour.
Dogs, weather and what to wear
- Dogs
- Pets are not allowed on any cavern tour; do not leave pets in vehicles while taking a tour.
- Temperature
- Average 70°F (21°C) with 99 percent humidity year-round
Good to know
- Minimum age
- Minors under age 18 are not permitted on tours without a parent or guardian. Big Room tours are not available for children under 7.
- Best time to go
- Tours should be booked as far in advance as possible; unreserved tickets generally sell out early and quickly.
- Photos
- Video or photography inside the cave is not permitted, with a cell phone or a camera. Photo Tours are offered monthly on the third Saturday.
- Food and drink
- No items including bottled water are allowed into the cave on tour; lockers are available. A cafe (Bat Cave Cafe) and picnic lunch options are mentioned.
- Wildlife
- Bats; visitors who have been in another cave or mine since 2005 must not wear the same clothes or shoes, and shoes may be decontaminated to prevent White Nose Syndrome.
- On site
- gift shop, cafe, picnic areas, campground, cabins, lockers
Getting there
2980 S Hwy 90, Benson, AZ 85602
Directions in Google MapsDistances are straight-line from each city center.
Questions people ask
How long does a visit to Kartchner Caverns take?
Rotunda/Throne Tour: 1½ hours; Big Room Tour: 1¾ hours
How cold is it inside Kartchner Caverns?
Average 70°F (21°C) with 99 percent humidity year-round.
Can you visit Kartchner Caverns in a wheelchair?
The trail system inside the cave was developed specifically for people with limited mobility; parking areas, campgrounds, picnic areas, and buildings are wheelchair accessible.
Are dogs allowed at Kartchner Caverns?
Pets are not allowed on any cavern tour; do not leave pets in vehicles while taking a tour.
Do you need to book Kartchner Caverns in advance?
Cave tour tickets are extra; the park entry fee ($10–$20 per vehicle) is waived with a tour reservation.
When was Kartchner Caverns discovered?
1974, according to the cave's own history.
Is there a minimum age for Kartchner Caverns?
Minors under age 18 are not permitted on tours without a parent or guardian. Big Room tours are not available for children under 7.
Where is Kartchner Caverns?
2980 S Hwy 90, Benson, AZ 85602
Listed in: caves with camping or lodging
Checked on 2026-10-22 against azstateparks.com (Kartchner Caverns page). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.