Kartchner Caverns State Park
Benson, AZ
A living limestone cave discovered in 1974 and kept secret for years to protect it. Guided tours only; book ahead.
Kartchner Caverns State Park is a nature park in southern Arizona, about 9 miles (14 km) south of Benson in Cochise County. Its centerpiece is a limestone cave whose formations are still growing and have been forming for at least 50,000 years.
The cave was discovered in 1974 by the cavers Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts. To protect it from vandalism, they kept the find secret for 14 years; it became public in 1988, when the landowners sold the site to the state. The state invested about 28 million US dollars in systems to protect the cave, such as air-lock doors and misting machines, before it officially opened in 1999.
The cave is visited on tours. According to Wikipedia, the Big Room tours pause every year from April 15 to October 15 because the room serves as a bat nursery; the Throne Room tour stays open year-round (to be checked as of October 2026). Confirm offerings, dates and reservations in advance.
- Nearest town
- Benson, AZ
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 31.8371, -110.3481
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. Hot in May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
© Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0The Shady Dell
© Laurens R. Krol · CC BY 4.0Windy Point Vista
© Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA · CC BY 2.0Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Campsites nearby
- Kartchner Caverns CampgroundMotorhome stopover0 mi from Kartchner Caverns State Park · 55 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToilets
- Butterfield RV ResortMotorhome stopover9 mi from Kartchner Caverns State Park · 173 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Tombstone Territories RV ParkMotorhome stopover11 mi from Kartchner Caverns State ParkMotorhomes
- Tombstone RV Park and CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Kartchner Caverns State ParkWi-Fi
- Wells Fargo RV ParkMotorhome stopover18 mi from Kartchner Caverns State ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Wells Fargo R.V. ParkMotorhome stopover18 mi from Kartchner Caverns State ParkMotorhomes
All campsites in Arizona · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kartchner Caverns State Park?
Kartchner Caverns State Park is in Benson, AZ, at GPS 31.8371, -110.3481. It is about 19 mi from Tombstone.
Can you camp near Kartchner Caverns State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Kartchner Caverns Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Kartchner Caverns State Park?
Kartchner Caverns State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southeast Arizona: missions, mines and sky islands.
What is there to see near Kartchner Caverns State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park (19 mi), The Shady Dell (37 mi), Windy Point Vista (43 mi) and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area (43 mi).
When is the best time to visit Kartchner Caverns State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)