More Pictures of Kartchner Caverns State Park

Overview of Kartchner Caverns State Park- Facts,Trivia,and Historical Information : Experience a stunning limestone cave in Southeastern Arizona that boasts world-class features. This live cave, discovered in 1974, is host to a wide variety of unique minerals and formations. Water percolates from the surface and calcite formations continue to grow, including stalactites dripping down like icicles and giant stalagmites reaching up from the ground. The cave's existence became public knowledge in 1988 when its purchase was approved as an Arizona State Park. Extraordinary precautions have been taken during its development to conserve the cave's near-pristine condition.

Services,Activities,Amenities,Attractions in (Kartchner Caverns State Park): Facilities available at Kartchner Caverns State Park. Park Hours: The operating hours of the park are from 7 am 6 pm. Parking: The main parking lot for the Discovery Center is located at the third turn off to the right after leaving the Contact Station. General parking is available throughout the lot, thirteen handicapped accessible parking spaces and two Van Accessible sites are available on the northeast section of the lot, and sixteen oversized RV parking spaces are located in the southeastern section of the lot. Visitor Center / Discovery Center: The Discovery Center is located on the northeast end of the main parking lot. Restrooms: The park has modern restrooms located at the Discovery Center, Campground and Trail Head. Handicap accessible and Family facilities, with baby changing stations, are located at the Discovery Center and Campground facilities. Exhibits: Visitors to Kartchner Caverns find that the Discovery Center is well-named. Caves are mysterious and unfamiliar to humans. Group Day Use Areas: The Group Day Use Area is located at the northwest corner of the Main Parking Lot. The area features three covered ramadas, eighteen picnic tables with one handicapped accessible table, water faucets and drinking fountains, 110 electrical outlets and lighting, waste receptacles and an area for a band and dancing. Camping & RV Sites: A two loop Campground is located off of the main road past the Discovery Center on the southwest end of the park. Campers must arrive prior to 6 pm before the park closes. Dump Station: The Dump Station is located along the main road on the south end of the park adjacent to the Campground entrance. Picnic Areas/Shelters: Covered picnic tables are located around the perimeter of the Main Parking Lot and adjacent to the food concession area outside of the Discovery Center. Hiking Trails: Hikers should ensure that they wear comfortable clothing, durable shoes and have plenty of water when hiking, especially in summer months. Hats, sunscreen and regular consumption of water will help prevent exhaustion and heat related injuries. Hikers should stay on developed trails to prevent erosion, damage to vegetation and personal injury. Please report any problems along the trail or trail damage to the staff at the Front Desk. Pets: Pets are allowed in all outside areas but they should be leashed. Wildlife Viewing: A variety of species common to the Arizonan deserts may be found around the park. Birds: A 63-entry birding list is available upon request at the Front desk of the Discovery Center. The close proximity of the canyons and arroyos of the Whetstone Mountains, Sonoran and Chihuahuan Desert terrain and the riparian areas of the San Pedro River creates an unique opportunity to see species found in each of these habitats. One of the most common birds seen on the park is the large, dark Raven that may present a nuisance when food is left unattended in the picnic or camping areas. Hummingbirds from around the country converge on Southeastern Arizona during their migratory travels and many may be seen year round in the Hummingbird Garden.

Contact Information:
Address:Kartchner Caverns SP P.O. Box 1849 Benson, AZ 85602
Phone No:(520) 586-2283