ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov
(Phoenix, AZ - October 7, 2009) - Governors, park rangers, cave experts, geologists, construction crews, bat biologists, legislators, and local leaders assisted in an eleven-year effort to open Kartchner Caverns State Park. Since then the cave has been listed as one of the top ten caves in the world because of the stunning array of delicate calcite formations found in the depths of the cave.
On Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, 2009 from 9 am to 5 pm, the park will have hour-by-hour activities and cave tours if you have booked tours in advance. Visitors will learn microbiology from Dr. Raina Maier, cave paleontology, the history of the cave discovery from explorer Gary Tenen, and the secret excitement of the discovery from Kartchner family members. Your family will enjoy the bat, bobcat, mountain lion and rattlesnake workshops as well as special desert interpretive walks (see movie)
It has been estimated that more than two million people have been drawn to southeastern Arizona to visit the park and it has generated more than $12 million in economic impact dollars to Cochise County. The weekend will be busy with presentations, booths and interpretive programs for all ages. Visitors should make plans now by scheduling their cave tours and weekend jaunts throughout southeastern Arizona. It is a good time to also explore other fascinating geologic wonders such as the Chiracahuas and Dragoon Mountains or historic towns such as Tombstone and Bisbee.
The $5 park entrance fee will be waived for this event. Make your cave tour reservation by calling (520) 586-2283 seven days a week from 8am to 5pm MST. Rotunda/Throne Room Tours are available for $18.95 for ages 14 and up and $9.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children 6 and younger are free). The Big Room Tours are available for $22.95 for ages 14 and up and $12.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children younger than 7 are not permitted into the Big Room). Walk-up tickets may not be available this weekend. The Park also offers a large, modern campground adjacent to the Whetstone Mountains with views of the entire San Pedro Valley.
Kartchner Caverns State Park is located on Highway 90, nine miles South of I-10 near Benson, Arizona. For more information about the 30 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow us on twitter.com/AZStateParks.
-end-
See 10th Anniversary Celebration Event Schedule 
Learn more about Kartchner Caverns State Park
link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_10-07-09.html
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