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Location

Contact the Park:
(520) 586-2283
Reservation Line
(520) 586-4100
Information Line
Kartchner Caverns SP
P.O. Box 1849
Benson, AZ 85602

Facilities

511 Speed Code

Fees

Park Entrance Fees*:
Per Vehicle (1-2 Adults): $5.00
Additional Adults (14+): $2.00
Individual/Bicycle: $2.00
*Entrance Fee Waived for Reserved Tour Ticket Holders

Camping Fees:
Electric site: $22.00
All sites are electric

Cave Tour Fees:
See Cave Tour Information Page

Cave Tour Information

* Children 6 and under are not allowed on this tour.

Please read through the following important information before calling to reserve your tickets or purchasing them online.

The Rotunda/Throne Tour

Length: ½ mile
Time: 1½ hours. Tours available year-round.
Has been open since 1999. Tours are available year round and are scheduled every 20 minutes throughout the day. It is half of a mile in length and takes approximately an hour and a half to complete, 50 minutes of which is underground. Discover the role that water plays in creating the cavern. You will see the discoverers original trail, 45,000 year-old bat guano, delicate formations and “Kubla Khan,” the largest column formation in Arizona.

The Big Room Tour

Length: ½ mile
Time: 1½ hours. Tours available October 15 - April 15.
Has been open since 2003. Tours are available from mid-October to mid-April and are scheduled every half hour throughout the day. It is half of a mile long and takes an hour and 45 minutes to complete, one hour of which is underground. Children age 6 and under are not allowed on this tour. The Kartchner Cavern story is about amazing discoveries past, present and future. Marvel at the many strange and colorful formations. Learn about the cave fauna, both living and ancient. Experience the wonder of the cave’s discovery and learn about new scientific research and discoveries as ongoing studies continue.

General Tour Information

All tours are led by a trained guide, no self-guided tours are available. Twenty tours are scheduled daily, and are available year round, for the Rotunda/Throne Tour and fifteen tours are scheduled daily for the Big Room Tour from mid-October to mid-April. It is recommended that tours be booked as far in advance as possible to ensure availability. No items (bags, purses, packs, bottled water, etc) are allowed into the cave while on tour. Try to arrive at least 1 hour in advance of your tour time. We also request that you familiarize yourself with our very important Cave Tour Rules.

The cave has an average temperature of 70° Fahrenheit (21° Celsius) and 99% humidity year-round, so it will feel very warm and steamy. Most areas are dimly lit and some passages may pass through narrow or enclosed areas. This may be difficult for persons with mobility, respiratory or claustrophobia issues. See our Accessibility Information for more details.

Schools & Group Tours should also read our additional information.

Walk-Up Tickets:
Only one hundred tickets, five per tour, are available on the Rotunda/Throne Tour each day for walk-up purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. No walk-up tickets are available for the Big Room Tour.

How to Make Reservations:
Reservations are recommended for all tours. Reservations may be made up to one year in advance. Tours may sell out from late December through early April. Tour tickets may only be picked up on the day of the tour. Note: You cannot buy tickets for today's tours via the telephone or the computer. You will need to purchase Walk-Up Tickets at the park if you want to tour the cave but don't have prior reservations and are visiting the same day.

To purchase tickets call (520) 586-2283 or purchase tickets online here. Note: When buying tickets online our system can only accept a reservation for 5 tickets at a time; if you need to book more than 5 tickets please call us. Purchases may be made with Visa or Mastercard. After reservations are made, a confirmation letter will be mailed with your tour information. Please bring this letter to the Front Desk when arriving for your tour.

Information for Parents:
It is not uncommon for young children, six years and under, to become frightened or uncomfortable in the cave environment. In these instances, the child and parent will be allowed to leave the cave tour for their well being and safety. Please inquire upon check-in if you have any concerns.

Booking Both Tours on the Same Day:
If you are buying tickets for both the Rotunda/Throne Tour and the Big Room Tour on the same day, please use the following charts to determine the earliest time you can take the second tour. The left column shows the time of your first tour, on the right is the earliest time you can book tickets for the second tour.

Eco-Science Trek:
Try the Eco-Science Trek and learn about the conservation techniques used to preserve the cave's fragile ecosystem during construction and continued visitation. It follows the same path as the Rotunda/Throne Room tour.

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