In November 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. They were looking “for a cave no one had ever found” and found it. The two kept the cave a secret until February 1978 when they told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner, about their awesome discovery. Since unprotected caves can be seriously damaged by unregulated use, they knew the cave had to be protected. Tenen and Tufts spent several years looking into the possibility of developing the cave themselves. Some members of the Kartchner family lived in Tucson and were very impressed with the development and operation of Catalina State Park by Arizona State Parks. They decided to approach State Parks to see if the agency was interested in acquiring this outstanding resource.
Brochure and Map of Arizona State Parks and Trails. Published by Arizona State Parks & Trails.
Kartchner Caverns SP
https://azstateparks.com/kartchner/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartchner_Caverns_State_Park
In November 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. They were looking “for a cave no one had ever found” and found it. The two kept the cave a secret until February 1978 when they told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner, about their awesome discovery. Since unprotected caves can be seriously damaged by unregulated use, they knew the cave had to be protected. Tenen and Tufts spent several years looking into the possibility of developing the cave themselves. Some members of the Kartchner family lived in Tucson and were very impressed with the development and operation of Catalina State Park by Arizona State Parks. They decided to approach State Parks to see if the agency was interested in acquiring this outstanding resource.
Nearby Parks
Cave Tours
Park Rules
If you’re having a great time here, don’t forget
to visit one of the three nearby state parks!
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
(29 miles) Located in “the town too tough to
die,” this preserved court building houses a
collection of historic artifacts and memorabilia
from the legendary American Old West. (520)
457-3311
Patagonia Lake State Park (53 miles)
Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern
Arizona is a hidden treasure. This is an
ideal place to find whitetail deer roaming
the hills and great blue herons walking the
shoreline. The park offers a campground,
beach, picnic area with ramadas, tables and
grills, a creek trail, boat ramps, and a marina.
(520) 287-6965
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park (77
miles) Arizona’s first state park, this historic
site rests on the Anza Trail and commemorates
the oldest Spanish presidio in Arizona with
a museum, schoolhouse, colonial ruins, and
picnic grounds. (520) 398-2252
The cave has an average temperature of 70°
Fahrenheit and 99 percent humidity yearround. Most areas are dimly lit and some
passages may be narrow or have enclosed
areas. This may be difficult for people with
mobility, respiratory, or claustrophobia issues.
Rotunda/Throne Room Tour: 0.5-mile tour
lasting 1.5 hours (50 minutes underground).
See the original trail and the large, five-story
formation named “Kubla Khan!”
Big Room Tour: 0.5-mile tour lasting 1.75
hours (75 minutes underground). Available
from mid-October to mid-April. Minimum age
for this tour is 7 years old.
Saturday Helmet and Headlamp Tour:
0.5-mile tour lasting 1.25 hours (60 minutes
underground). Visitors tour the cave in the
dark using only the light from their headlamps.
Currently only on Saturdays. Minimum age
for this tour is 10 years old. Tours take place in
the Big Room from October to April, and the
Rotunda/Throne Room from April to October.
General Rules
• Do not litter! “Leave no trace” and pack
out what you bring in, or use the trash
receptacles provided in the park.
• Drive your vehicle only on designated
paved surfaces. Park only in designated
parking areas. Do not park on the side of
the road.
• Stay on designated trails. Cutting trails
degrades habitat and harms the landscape.
• Do not use glass containers in the park.
• All of our parks adhere to firearm and
hunting regulations. Please familiarize
yourself with this information.
Fires
• Keep fires in grills or designated state parks
fire rings. Never leave fires unattended!
• Do not gather firewood in the parks.
Firewood is for sale in most park stores.
• Fireworks are not permitted in state parks.
• Be “fire smart” and check fire restrictions at
azstateparks.com/fire-safety.
Camping
• Campsites are limited to up to six adults
and up to 10 people total.
• There are designated dump facilities at the
park for your convenience.
Pets
• Keep your pets on a maximum six-foot
leash at all times. Pets must be attended at
all times.
• Pick up after your pet.
• For additional information related to pets,
visit our website or ask park staff.
Additional Rules
• Kartchner Caverns is an Arizona treasure
and our highest priority is maintaining its
pristine beauty. Our dedicated staff will
inform you of proper conduct and best
practices to help us preserve this natural
wonder.
The rules of this park are not
limited to the rules listed above.
Additional park rules may be found at
azstateparks.com.
Established 1957
Kartchner Caverns State Park
KARTCHNER CAVERNS
®
01/22
Welcome to Kartchner Caverns State Park!
We invite you to explore our world-famous cave
as well as the above-ground park with its 62
campsites. On site, you will find ADA-accessible
restrooms, camping cabins, and camping for
RVs. Keep in mind that evenings in the desert
can be cool!
The Discovery Center has a gift shop,
restrooms, and the Bat Cave Cafe with covered
picnic tables. Additional shaded ramadas
and picnic tables are available around the
perimeter of the parking area. A covered
group picnic area is located to the west of the
Discovery Center. The group day-use area is
available for reservation.
Enjoy the Hummingbird Garden Walk located
on the southwest side of the Discovery Center.
Walk among the seasonal blooms and listen
to the gentle music from our little feathered
visitors.
Thank you for visiting!
2980 Arizona 90, Benson, AZ 85602
(520) 586-4100 | 1-877-MYPARKS
azstateparks.com/kartchner
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Cabins
Four camping cabins are available for
reservation. Each cabin has a covered porch, a
full-sized bed, two sets of bunk beds, a table
with chairs, electricity, lights, heating and air
conditioning, and a locking door. Campers
must supply their own linens or sleeping bags.
Cabins sleep up to six people.
Reserve a camping cabin and start your park
adventure at azstateparks.com/cabins.
Hiking Trails
Guindani Trail (#398): 4.2 miles, located on
the east flank of the Whetstone Mountains i
