Many Arizona State Parks host fun, educational Star Parties or astronomy events! Our astronomy program has been in operation since 2007 and continues to grow with each exciting event. Unfortunately, Randy. Design a shortKartchner Caverns State Park is renowned for its stunning limestone cave system, which features intricate formations and a delicate ecosystem. Tenen and Tufts spent several years looking into the possibility of developing the cave. The two kept the cave a secret until February 1978 when they told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner. Weather Today Weather Hourly 14 Day Forecast Yesterday/Past Weather Climate (Averages) Currently: 69 °F. 3. Discover genuine guest reviews for Comfort Inn Benson near. m. 1,824 Reviews. Arizonans get $3 off the price of a cave tour through Oct. May 16 - December 21: Open daily, 9 a. Prickly things are blooming. 7. If in the event you need to file a complaint, please read this instruction sheet and complete the attached form. 4 miles of passages. We were very early for our tour and asked if they had room in an earlier tour and they were able to accommodate us. Great displays in the Visitor Center. Lake Havasu, AZ Home of the original London Bridge since 1971, featuring lake beaches,campsites, trails & a garden with wildlife. 7. Attendance down at Kartchner Caverns. The festival will be held on Saturday, October 21 and feature a variety of activities, crafts, book readings for kids, and educational talks. The park service goes to great lengths to keep the cave alive and well. Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Discovery Center Hours: December 22 - May 15: Open daily, 8 a. not cold at all but humid. 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. m. Kartchner Caverns State Park: Big cave - See 1,824 traveler reviews, 404 candid photos, and great deals for Benson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Kartchner Caverns State Park is located about 70 miles, or 1 hour and 10 minutes' driving time, from Marana, off of Arizona State Highway 90 near Benson. The state park is a pretty special place. m. 99 per adult Kartchner Caverns Prices and Discounts. About Kartchner Caverns State Park. Activities at. The Discovery Center is open 8 a. The cave developed in a downdropped block ofThe triumph of the conservationists and the opening of Kartchner Caverns as a state park are known to anyone who has visited the caves as a tourist. 602-542-7389. Kartchner Caverns Star Party “Camels in the Sky: Our Heritage of Arabian Star Lore” Saturday, October 13, 2018 – 5:30 pm Kartchner Caverns State Park (Benson, AZ) Click here for details. access@azstateparks. to 5 p. 9 km) of passages. Get and use it immediately to get coupon codes, promo codes, discount codes. Arizonans get $3 off the price of a cave tour through Oct. 2980 S Hwy 90, 9 miles south of Interstate 10, Benson, AZ 85602. Comfort Inn Benson Near Kartchner Caverns Promo Code・Hotel Net Rates and Promo Codes. Save. Time/General. 93 km) Butterfield RV Resort & Observatory; View all hotels near Kartchner Caverns State Park on TripadvisorGetting There & Parking. This Caverns is one of the largest accumulations of gem stone quality onyx in North America. The park near Benson beat out 19. 2D1S Events Promo. Popular attractions San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Museum and San Pedro Golf Course are located nearby. 12”E) were visited on 28–29 November 2017. to buy tickets. Kartchner Caverns is beautiful inside and out. Become a Junior Ranger. The Rotunda/Throne Tour examines the role water plays in creating the caverns. The extra vehicle fee does not apply to vehicles that are towed or set up to be towed behind a primary vehicle when the. #2 of 16 things to do in Benson. Arizona time. Each pull-through site power post has a 220 volt 50 amp AC & an 110 volt 30 amp AC RV connection and a 20 AMP GFI receptacle. Roper Lake State Park is located 6 miles south of Safford in Graham County in southeast Arizona and sits at the base of Mt. The history of Kartchner Caverns is fascinating. October 23-29, 2023. Get your points now!world. Kartchner Caverns State Park is located about halfway between Benson, AZ and Sierra Vista, AZ. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry. The property was owned by James and Lois Kartchner and Tenen and Tufts kept the cave a secret from them for almost four years. Kartchner Caverns State Park campground has 64 single-family sites with electric hookups and is located off the main road past the Discovery Center. WHERE: Kartchner Caverns State Park — on Arizona 90, nine miles south of Interstate 10 near Benson. Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Over the years, the twinkling pinpoints of light have. The caverns were ultimately purchased by the State of Arizona and developed as a state park. RESERVATIONS: Go to AZStateParks. Looking for the CLOSEST Hotels or Lodging near Kartchner Caverns State Park? Save 10% w/ Insider Prices on Cheap Kartchner Caverns State Park Hotels. A well-known, more family-friendly cave to visit is the Kartchner Caverns, with guided tours and paths to see the wondrous geological formations within. Guided tours inside the cave are available for an additional fee. Tour and Camping Prices. Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson is rated 9. Phone information (520) 586-4100. m. 20. The trailhead begins as a spur from the Guindani Trail at Kartchner Caverns State Park. 1,824 Reviews. . Compare 307 hotels near Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson using 11,383 real guest reviews. With 2. Just copy this coupon and apply it at check out. Get Deal. 2980 S Hwy 90, 9 miles south of Interstate 10, Benson, AZ 85602. m. Pass is non-transferable and photo ID is required for. RV Length: 33'. This tour is a half of a mile long and takes an hour and 45 minutes to complete one hour of which is underground. Kartchner Caverns State Park is a state park of Arizona, United States, featuring a show cave with 2. The cave tours are the amazing part. to sunset (Central). Explore the sheer cliffs and granite domes of Cochise Stronghold, named for the famed Apache chief, and stop by Fort Bowie National Historic. Figure 2. Kartchner Caverns Big Room Tour. Welcome Back ! If you have an active reservation under the previous system with an arrival date after July 16, or have an active annual pass then you do not need to create a new account. " | Check out 18 answers, plus see 1,823 reviews, articles, and 404 photos of Kartchner Caverns State Park, ranked No. Recommend making reservations to ensure you get a long enough spot and get a spot in a tour of the caverns. Rigged with special equipment to protect the still-living caves, Kartchner Caverns opened in 1999 and has 2. Discounts of $2 per ticket are available online by using the code on rack cards. 699 N Ocotillo Rd, Benson, AZ. Sunny. Get Deal WebKartchner Caverns State Park Kartchner Caverns State Park 1,823 reviews #2 of 16 things to do in Benson State ParksCaverns & Caves Closed now 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Write a review About In November 1974,. Box 1849. Discounts of $2 per ticket are available online by using the code on rack cards. This Benson hotel is just off of Interstate 10, a 20-minute drive from Kartchner Caverns State Park. Discovered in 1974 by explorers Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen, and not revealed until 1988, the opportunity existed to preserve the caverns in near pristine condition. Kartchner Caverns State Park: Definitely worth a visit! - See 1,824 traveler reviews, 404 candid photos, and great deals for Benson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. So, the design team for Kartchner Caverns built the public walkways with curbs. Lake Havasu State Park. 74 mi) Down By The River Bed And Breakfast (8. Kartchner Caverns State Park is located just south of the town of Benson, Arizona and features a breathtaking limestone cave with over 2 miles of passages. Our team is available to help you plan your visit to Kartchner Caverns seven days a week from 8 a. Now $122 (Was $̶1̶4̶5̶) on Tripadvisor: Comfort Inn Benson Near Kartchner Caverns, Benson. Kartchner Caverns was voted the best cave in the United States in the 2016 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. As with most campgrounds, this one fills up in advance. Visitors Welcome! 1110 W. 3. There are campgrounds and cabins. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The trail system inside Kartchner Caverns was developed specifically for people with limited mobility, however, know before you go to ensure that you have a great visit. Lake Havasu State Park. Corporate reservations can also enjoy discounted rates. Our team is available to help you plan your visit to Kartchner Caverns seven days a week from 8 a. The cave was totally sealed up for 200,000 or so years until it was discovered in 1974, by two young cavers, Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen. A. [1] The park is located 9 miles (14 km) south of the town of Benson and west of the north-flowing San Pedro River. Decimal Degrees (WGS84) Latitude: 31. -5 p. Kartchner Caverns State Park is about 45 miles southeast of Tucson, Ariz. Overcoming more than 10 years of unforeseen challenges in research, planning, construction, legislative threats, mining concerns, and legal issues, the upper caverns were ready to open to the public. Get and use it immediately to get coupon codes, promo codes, discount codes. The Big Room, closed from mid-April to mid-October each. Experience a stunning limestone cave in Southeastern Arizona that boasts world-class features. The relative humidity inside the cave averages 99. The Kartchner Caverns cave was discovered by Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts in November 1974. Also interesting rocks and vegetation (desert ferns!). • Named after original property owners James and Lois Kartchner. , year-round. The limestone caverns were originally discovered in 1974 by Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen and feature more than 2. s4. 1:34 Arizona residents can save a little money when they check out one of the coolest things in our back yard this summer at Kartchner Caverns. com. This is the only. Throughout history, people have looked to the stars for answers. 8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews) Quality Inn Benson I-10 Exit 304. Super 8 by Wyndham Benson. m. The Foothills Loop Trail (loop) is approximately 2. 2023 Criaturas Curiosas. 18. 9. It is also home to over 1,000 cave bats. Tumacácori National Historical Park. Kartchner Caverns Cave Tour Tickets. 2980 S Hwy 90, 9 miles south of Interstate 10, Benson, AZ 85602. Kartchner Caverns State Park is a state park of Arizona, United States, featuring a show cave with 2. There’s no reason why Kartchner Caverns State Park shouldn’t be at the top of your must-see list. 4 miles long. #2 of 16 things to do in Benson. Cochise County residents and active-duty military members get a $5 discount during that period. There are three different campgrounds for lakeside camping as well as fishing, bird watching and water activities. Length: ½ mile. Nature & Parks, State Parks, Caverns & Caves. 2. $5 off cave tours for active duty military. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. m. KARTCHNER CAVERNS, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - The story of Kartchner Caverns is one of discovery, exploration, secrecy, and preservation. See 4 traveler reviews, 9 photos and blog posts Arizona Benson Kartchner Caverns State Park Overflow Kartchner Caverns State Park Overflow Parking Lot. Tours start with a brief talk from a guide and then a train trip up to the entrance for a tour that lasts about an hour. KARTCHNER CAVERNS STATE PARK. The stunning limestone caves of Kartchner Caverns, Arizona are a natural wonder. Stores. More space, more privacy, more amenities — more value. It is home to a large colony of myotis velifer bats as well as countless microorganisms and macroinvertebrates. Wear sensible shoes. Spanning 12,025 acres in southern Arizona, Chiricahua National Monument is the result of the eruption of Turkey Creek Volcano millions of years ago; as the ash cooled, it formed rhyolite layers. 04 mi) Cochise Terrace RV Resort (9. Getting there: Take Interstate 10 east past Tucson to State Route 90 (Exit 302). Kartchner Caverns State Park. This park is home to a large variety of bird species, offers great seasonal fishing, and is within. Save. Park Entrance Fee Per vehicle (1-4 Adults): $7. Kartchner Caverns State Park, Benson, Arizona. Park admission fee is waived for visitors with cave-tour or camping reservations. October 21-22, 2023 - Roper Lake State Park, Safford. Compared to other caverns, we'd rate Kartchner Caverns as a must see! Read more. We're here to help you plan your visit to Kartchner Caverns seven days a week from 8 a. - 10 p. Kartchner Caverns Prices and Discounts. Discovery Center Hours: December 22 - May 15: Open daily, 8 a. Elevation: 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level. Save up to 50% Off with these current Arizona State Parks Coupons for November 2023. manifold1. Washington Street, Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (877) MY-PARKS (877-697-2757) ONLINE RESERVATIONSKartchner Caverns State Park. If tickets are canceled before 5:00 p. 44ff. They were looking “for a cave no one had ever found” and found it. Kartchner Caverns State Park Fast Facts. azstateparks. This tour is a half of a mile long and takes an hour and 45 minutes to complete one hour of which is underground. to 4 p. . Free Wifi . 16,112 likes · 180 talking about this · 48,666 were here. The Kartchner Caverns are located in the Whetstone Mountains near Benson, Arizona, which is 46. m. 4 and under: Free. Kartchner Caverns, one of the world’s 10 most interesting caves from a mineralogical standpoint (Hill and Forti 1997), is a 3. 10Best Reviewed Best-selling Booklist Jobs Sports Betting Sports Weekly Studio Gannett Classifieds Coupons Blueprint Auto Insurance Pet Insurance Travel Insurance. Karchner Caverns State Park is recognized as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association and is famous for its lack of light pollution, renowned by astronomers and amateur stargazers for its astonishingly bright display of the cosmos. Two separate tours take you to different parts of the cave, and a discovery center at the entrance explains everything you might want to learn about caves. m. I also prefer the formations, particularly in the throne room. The Kartchner’s later. At the Titan Missile Museum, near Tucson, Arizona, visitors journey through time to stand on the front line of the Cold War. s. Grab the kids when you head to this park ? its family-oriented. 14. Take note, unlike other always-chilly caverns, Kartchner is quite warm, as it lies close to the surface. Kartchner Caverns, near Benson, was. . 1110 W. James Kartchner, 78, (right foreground) on hisThe time-share agreement worked out between bats and people at Kartchner Caverns’ Big Room swings back in the favor of people this weekend. It begins in rugged old. Low Temp: 38 °F. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Our Book with Confidence guarantee gives you 24/7 support. For caves such as Kartchner that are used for tourism, research is critically needed to. EXPLORE. The roads within the park are minimal, reducing the chances you might get turned around, and getting to the park entrance couldn't be easier. We're here to help you plan your visit to Kartchner Caverns seven days a week from 8 a. Patricia's expert tip: Kartchner Caverns State Park is located approximately 50 miles from Tucson, but it's well worth the drive. In November 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Campground amenities include drinking water, flush. Download schedule as a PDF to print. There is a $7 per car entry fee for the State Park. de Randy Tufts, Gary Tenen (1999): Discovery and History of Kartchner Caverns. Cave Discovery: Discovered by Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts in 1974. That's a lot for a state park. 8. Table 1. 1,823 Reviews. Kartchner Caverns is located in the Whetstone Mountains, ~13 km south of Benson, Arizona, USA, just west of Arizona State Highway 90. 1,824 Reviews. Taking visitors. m. Kartchner Caverns, near Benson, was. 1,809 Reviews. Stay in the park and explore the cave! Campsite reservations are available online or by calling our friendly folks at the Arizona State Parks Reservations Desk at 1-877-MY PARKS (697-2757). 4 miles of passageways which were opened to the public for guided tours in. Throne Tour is $5 for children under the age of 7, $13 from the ages 7-13, and for all adults 14+ the tour is $23. Long hidden from view, the caverns were discovered in 1974 by local cavers. See All Photos. Miles of winding pathways carved deep into Paleozoic rocks. View more 8 Other Reasons promo codes. amazon. 21. The two kept the cave a secret until February 1978 when they told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner. Tunnels had to be created in order to allow safe and easy access. " | Check out answers, plus see 1,822 reviews, articles, and 402 photos of Kartchner Caverns State Park, ranked No. We found a $4 off coupon in a brochure that we found on the caverns. Additional vehicles are charged $15. Overview. com. m. Kartchner Caverns State Park, Benson: "Is it true that you're not allowed to have photo. Dew Point: 34 °F. , Tucson, AZ. AZ Local Time. Kartchner Caverns is widely acknowledged as a beautiful example of carbonate cave development, is one of the top ten caves in the world in terms of mineralogical and cave formation diversity (Hill, 1999), and is a major tourist attraction in southern Arizona. Kartchner Caverns. Indulge your Wild West fantasies near the Benson KOA, in a quiet, high desert valley just off I-10. They were looking “for a cave no one had ever found” and found it. Kartchner Caverns are less than an hour SE of where I stayed in Tucson. Kartchner Caverns State Park. Tonto National Monument. from $50/night. Kartchner Caverns Big Room Tour. The spots are close together and the amenities include bathrooms and showers. , year-round. Prices are subject to change. Find out how the network ofKartchner Caverns, Apple Annie’s, Willcox, Sierra Vista, Benson: All That Cochise County Has to Offer. Kartchner Caverns State Park. Also interesting rocks and vegetation (desert ferns!). At this time the Big Room is closed to visitors because of bats who use the caverns for a nursery but the Rotunda/Throne tour is available. Published: Jun. Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson is rated 9. 93 "Hg. 00 Cave tour tickets are extra. Walk-ins are allowed. DesertUSA Newsletter -- We send articles on hiking, camping and places to explore, as well as animals, wildflower reports, plant information and much more. 0. We took the smaller tour as it was a two hour wait for an opening on. Grab it now! Get Deal. Site Number: 18. One Key members save 10% or more on select hotels, cars, activities and vacation rentals. Kartchner Caverns State Park campground has 64 single-family sites with electric hookups and is located off the main road past the Discovery Center. Site description. Time: 1¾ hours. Marvel at the many strange and colorful formations. Re: Colossal Cave Mountain Park or Kartchner Caverns. If tickets are canceled after 5:00 p. Email This BlogThis!Kartchner Caverns are located about 15 minutes from Benson. Kartchner Caverns State Park Information: Kartchner Caverns map: Kartchner. Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch Vacation Rentals. Kartchner Caverns State Park Information: Kartchner Caverns map: Kartchner Caverns SP Benson, AZ 85602 Discounts. 12856 East Rhyolite Creek Road, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA. Restaurants near Comfort Inn Benson Near Kartchner Caverns Restaurants near Days Inn by Wyndham Benson Restaurants near Quality Inn Benson I-10 Exit 304 Restaurants near Motel 6 Benson, AZ Restaurants near Super 8 by Wyndham BensonINTERNATIONAL DARK SKIES PARKS. A. The park is located 9 miles (14 km) south of. 2980 S Hwy 90, 9 miles south of Interstate 10, Benson, AZ 85602. 00 Individual/bicycle: $3. K. (Given that it's underground, perhaps it's best to do so during the summer too!) The folks who discovered the caves and worked with the government did a. The cave has an average temperature of 70° Fahrenheit (21° Celsius) and 99 percent humidity year-round. Pressure: 29. Reservations are necessary and easy to make online on their website. Kartchner is a beautiful cave because its carbonate speleothems are colorful (shades of red, orange, yellow and tan) and ‘alive’(still wet and growing). Kartchner Caverns State Park Kartchner Caverns State Park. Park Hours: 6 a. When co-discovers Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts found the blowhole entrance to the caverns in 1974 — beneath Kartchner Ranch, in the foothills of the Whetstone Mountains near Benson —. m. com or by calling (877) MY-PARKS, 7 days a week, from 8 a. Kartchner Caverns is a wet ‘live’ cave where the environment is still living and changing, unlike Arizona’s Colossal Cave which is a ‘dry’ cave. Kartchner Caverns State Park ® is a stunning limestone cavern system in Southeastern Arizona. The guided 1. Rickard Tomey, Cave Resources Manager for Kartchner Caverns State Park, looks over stalagmites, stalactites, and columns in the Big Room, November of 2003. to 5 p. The temperature inside the caverns range from about 55 degrees to 65 degrees. Kartchner Caverns State Park. Cost: $94 per night, including $5 reservation fee. Buy five nights of camping and get two nights free: applies to everyone, regardless of residency or military! Enjoy a low-cost summer getaway in southeastern Arizona. Among the three which are open to the public, only Kartchner Caverns is on this continent. 45" Humidity: 35%. 5-hour Rotunda/Throne Room Tour takes visitors through rooms that contain more than 30 types of colorful formations growing for more than 200,000 years out of the limestone beneath the Whetstone. In November 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. If you’ve ever been to Kartchner, please leave a comment below and share your experience with my readers and me. 2980 S Hwy 90, 9 miles south of Interstate 10, Benson, AZ 85602. Kartchner Caverns is the second state park in Arizona with this honor; Oracle State Park received the designation in 2014. They were then kept a secret by the discoverers until 14 years later, when they and the caverns' private landowners carefully approached the State of Arizona to come up with a plan to. Admissions prices are: 13 to 61 years old, $10; 6 to 12 years old, $7; 0 to 5 years old, free but a ticket is required to enter; 62 and over, $8; active-duty military with ID, $8. Park passes will not be replaced or refunded if lost or stolen. m. This is a popular trail for camping and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Recommended for Sightseeing because: Kartchner Caverns is an underground cave formation full of out-of-this-world stalactites.