With so many sunkissed days in Tucson, Arizona, heading underground to tour one of our jaw-dropping caves is a great way to change things up. Our two major cave treasures are Kartchner Caverns State Park®, which rests beneath the Whetstone Mountains, and Colossal Cave Mountain Park, below the Rincon Mountains.
Kartchner Caverns State Park®
Near Benson, Arizona, Kartchner Caverns State Park® is a living, fragile ecosystem waiting for you to explore. When we say “living,” we mean the astonishing formations within continue to grow. Naturally carved from limestone, these geological formations have grown for at least 50,000 years.
Kartchner Caverns State Park® offers a variety of cave tours to experience this underground wonderland firsthand. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to take a tour. Video and photography within the cave are prohibited. It is recommended to book your tour as far in advance as possible, and you must arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. There are no self-guided tours.
The Rotunda/Throne tour is ½ mile and takes around 90 minutes. Of those 90 minutes, you’ll spend 50 underground, where the average cave temperature is 70° Fahrenheit with 99% humidity. Highlights of the tour are the original trail of the cave’s discoverers, learning how water aids in cavern creation, and Arizona’s largest column formation, known as the Kubla Khan. This Tucson cave tour runs $23 for anyone 14 years and older, $13 for those aged 7 to 13, and $5 for children under age 7.
The Big Room Tour is ½ mile and takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is only available from October 15 to April 15. During the hour underground, you’ll witness wildly stunning color formations and learn about ongoing scientific studies. The price for this tour is the same as the Rotunda/Throne tour, though children under age 7 are not allowed.
The Helmet & Headlamp Tour is ½ mile, takes 75 minutes, and costs $30. Children under age 10 are not allowed. It is offered every Saturday except for the third Saturday of every month, and the rooms you tour change throughout the year.
Please read up on general tour information before your visit.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Cave tours near Tucson, Arizona, continue at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Passageways wind through this underground gem, and the cave is indeed colossal, with around 3.5 miles of passageways mapped and many additional miles yet to be mapped.
The ½ mile Classic Cave Tour descends six stories deep and runs about 40 minutes. It is a captivating, family-friendly choice, though children under age 5 are prohibited. The cost is $24 for adults and $14 for kids aged 5 to 12. Active military adults with ID pay $22. This is a popular tour, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time.
The Ladder Tour is all about climbing ladders, making your way through narrow passages, and navigating rock bridges. It lasts 90 minutes and is restricted to explorers aged 12 and above. An adult must accompany anyone under 18. You’ll need to bring your own full-fingered gloves and be physically fit. The cost is $60, and reservations are required.
For a reservation and $135, you can brave the Wild Cave Tour. This tour is only for those 16 and above, and youth under 18 must always have an adult with them. It lasts up to three hours and moves through tight spaces and some of the deepest and darkest parts of the cave. You must be physically fit for this tour. Several items like knee and elbow pads are recommended, and there are other requirements to review. Please read up on all of the detailed tour information before booking your visit.
