Construction along Interstate 10 is impacting travel time to the park. See the project link here.
Please see our Cave Tours page for information on how to prepare for your visit.
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.
Explore Kartchner Caverns
Kartchner Caverns invites you to join us in learning from expert speakers about the vital importance of bats and the roles they play in our ecosystems.
READ MORELearn about our local bats and get to see some of the native flying marvels.
READ MOREKartchner Caverns invites you to join us for a nighttime walk in the park to learn about bats! Guests will see and hear bats interacting within their natural environment while learning about the diversity of these awesome flying mammals. Registration required.
READ MOREDiscovery Center
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christmas: Closed
Per vehicle (1 person): $10.00
Per vehicle (2-4 people): $20.00
Individual/bicycle: $5.00
Cave tour tickets are extra. Park entrance fee is waived with cave tour and campsite reservations.
(520) 586-4100
2980 S Hwy 90
Benson, AZ 85602
9 mi. South of Benson on Hwy 90
