What Can I Bring on Karchner Cavern Tour
The vault-similar door congenital into the hillside is out of place, appearing equally an insult to the natural surroundings then many take worked to protect.
Withal the thick metal hatch serves a vital function in fulfilling that mission. It's not then much what the door keeps out, merely what it seals within — an environment crucial to maintaining one of Arizona's gems.
With a hiss, the door swings open to reveal the entrance to Kartchner Caverns, a network of caves millions of years in the making.
More:Visitor tips for viii Arizona State Parks
Visitors enter a tunnel carved through the rock, an intrusion necessary to permit tourism. Simply even this interference is mitigated by the door at the end of the tunnel, which turns the man-made passage into an airlock providing a prophylactic transition from dry desert air to the moist climate within.
Warm air washes over visitors as they enter. The damp, 70-caste environs is essential to the health of Kartchner Caverns, a living cave filled with everything it needs to foster growth of formations.
Since the caves opened to the public near xx years ago, visitors have descended upon the park to see the otherworldly undercover architecture.
The paved trail follows the path of least potential destruction, weaving among stalagmites and stalactites that have grown into a stony forest. Other formations bubble up from the floor, many boasting a sheen similar melted candle wax. Some are long and fragile, almost defying the laws of physics.
Where to stay:Hotel or Kartchner Caverns cabin?
New wonders come into view every bit the trail bends here and ducks through there. The k finale awaits in the Throne Room, where Kubla Khan presides. At 58 feet tall, it's the largest column to have been discovered in Arizona.
As yous take in nature's works of art, guides remind yous to stay on the path and avert touching anything but the handrails. They explicate how lint and skin oil are the caverns' worst enemies, and then enquire yous to remain still for a few minutes and listen to the irksome drips of water that echo along the passages.
That h2o, condensing from the humidity, is a reminder that the cave continues to create and build upon formations, ane tiny particle at a fourth dimension.
Had it not been for two men who suspected a cave might exist lurking in the limestone inside the Whetstone Mountains in southern Arizona, Kartchner Caverns might still be in the dark.
The park's story goes back to a hole in the basis and those 2 men willing to crawl through information technology.
In 1974, veteran spelunkers Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts looked for signs of what they believed was a cave waiting to be found. While exploring a sinkhole, they came across a crack from which warm, moist air flowed.
Doing what comes naturally to subterranean explorers, they squeezed through and followed the opening to a spectacular observe.
Fearing the unprotected cave could exist at risk, the two kept the discovery to themselves for four years before sharing it with the Kartchner family, who owned the property. In 1986, Tufts visited the Arizona State Parks function in Phoenix, starting a lengthy process that would atomic number 82 to the opening of Kartchner Caverns State Park in November 1999.
The story of the cavern's discovery is told in a xv-infinitesimal video played in the Tenen-Tufts Theater inside the Discovery Center. The hole they crawled through, now fenced off, tin can exist seen from the tram that takes visitors from the Discovery Heart to the vault door.
The cave is the big star of Kartchner Caverns State Park, merely the angelic stars also play a pop function. In 2017, Kartchner was named an International Night-Heaven Park past the International Dark-Sky Association, just the second Arizona state park to earn such condition.
Campers and those spending a night in i of the park's iv cabins may witness a sky as sparkling and pristine as the cavern itself.
Kartchner Caverns State Park facts
Best time to go: Mid-October to mid-April, when both cave tours are bachelor. The Big Room Tour shuts down during summertime and then as not to disturb the nesting bat population.
Trails: Kartchner's most famous trails are below ground. The Rotunda/Throne Tour includes a one-half-mile, 50-minute cave walk every bit part of a 90-minute bout. At the company heart, the tour guide gives background information about the cavern and answers questions, then the group boards a tram to the cave archway. The half-mile Big Room Bout lasts an 60 minutes and 45 minutes, an 60 minutes of which is the hush-hush walk. Both paths are paved and wheelchair-friendly, although in that location are some brusk grades of up to 12 percentage. Should you lot wish to hike outdoors, cull from the Guindani Trail, a 4.ii-mile path that ascends nearly 1,000 feet, or the Foothills Loop Trail, which winds two.five miles through creosote, prickly pear, ocotillo and other native vegetation.
Visitor center: In addition to beingness the starting point for tours, the Discovery Center has a theater, museum, eating house and gift shop. Choice up brochures and map, or buy bout tickets. It is strongly recommended you purchase your tickets online in accelerate, withal. The timed tickets are express and tours can sell out weeks in advance. Purchase them at azstateparks.com/reserve/tours.
Campground: Each of the 58 sites has water and electrical hookups. 3 are designated every bit accessible, and 12 sites are pull-through. Iv cabins as well are bachelor. Each has a microwave, mini fridge, rut and air conditioning. The two-room cabins slumber up to vi and you must bring your own bedding. The campground also has bathrooms and showers. Campsites are $30 and cabins are $89 per night. To reserve a army camp, visit azstateparks.com/reserve/kartchner/camping. For cabins, get to azstateparks.com/reserve/kartchner/cabins.
Picnic areas: Ramadas and picnic tables are not far from the Discovery Heart.
Dining: The Bat Cave Café inside the Discovery Center offers wraps, sandwiches, quesadillas, pizza and more. Be sure to finish before your bout starts because no food or drink is allowed inside the cave.
Special events: The park hosts occasional concerts too equally star parties. Bank check the website for upcoming events.
Nearest services: In Benson, 12 miles away.
Visiting Kartchner Caverns State Park
Where: 12 miles south of Benson off State Road ninety. From Phoenix, take Interstate 10 east and continue 37 miles past Tucson to SR ninety (Exit 302). Head south ix miles to the Kartchner Caverns turnoff and drive west to the parking lot. It's about 170 miles one way.
When: The park is open vi a.one thousand.-10 p.m. daily. The Discovery Center is open 8 a.k.-6 p.g. December. 19-May 31 and ix a.m.-v p.chiliad. June 1-Dec. eighteen.
Admission: $7 per vehicle, waived for those with tour tickets or campground reservations. Tours are $23, $13 for ages 7-13 and $5 for ages vi and younger. Children vi and younger not allowed on the Big Room Tour.
Details:azstateparks.com/kartchner.
Source: https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/2018/03/12/kartchner-caverns-cave-tours-visitors-guide/342169002/
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