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!
KARTCHNER CAVERNS®
1-877-MYPARKS | azstateparks.com
Cave ToursThe cave has an average temperature of 70° Fahrenheit and 99 percent humidity year-round. 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.
Kartchner Caverns State Park 2980 Arizona 90, Benson, AZ 85602
(520) 586-4100 | 1-877-MYPARKSazstateparks.com/kartchner
Established 1957
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Hiking Trails
Cabins
Nearby Parks
Guindani Trail (#398): 4.2 miles, located on the east flank of the Whetstone Mountains in the Coronado National Forest. Starts as an easy walk, escalates to a moderately difficult incline, then finishes strenuously.Foothills Loop Trail: Approximately 2.9 miles, rated moderate to difficult. The trail climbs the limestone hill north of the cave and descends into the wash that follows the fault between the Whetstone Block and the San Pedro Block. Informational signs are located on the trail.Ocotillo Trail: 1.8-mile trail breaking off from the Foothills Loop Trail. Moderately difficult hike.
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.
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
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.
Park Rules
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Guindani Trail #398
Trail Code Trail Name Uses*mi km
FL Foothills Loop 2.9 4.7 DHGU Guindani #398 4.2 6.8 BDEHGF Guindani Connector 0.2 0.3 DHMV Mountain Viewpoint 0.3 0.4 DHOC Ocotillo 1.8 2.8 DH
Length One Way
* B=Mountain Bike D=Dog E=Equestrian H=Hike
0 0.2 0.40.1Miles
0 0.2 0.4Kilometers
0 0.1 0.20.05Miles
0 0.1 0.2Kilometers
Contour Interval 40 Feet Created by: ASPT GIS Team Date: 4/11/2019