With so many sun-kissed days in Tucson, Arizona, heading underground to tour one of our jaw-dropping caves is a great way to switch things up. Our two great cave treasures Kartchner Caverns State Park®beneath the Whetstone Mountains and Giant Cave Mountain Parkunder Rincon Mountains.

Kartchner Caverns State Park®

Close Benson, Arizona, Kartchner Caverns State Park® It’s a vibrant, fragile ecosystem waiting for you to explore. By “living” we mean that the amazing formations within you continue to grow. Naturally carved from limestone, these geological formations have been growing for at least 50,000 years.

Kartchner Caverns State Park® offers a variety of cavern tours so you can experience this underground wonderland firsthand. People under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parents or guardians to participate in the tour. Taking videos and photographs is prohibited inside the cave. It is recommended that you book your tour as far in advance as possible and you should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. There is no self-guided tour.

The Rotunda/Throne tour is ½ mile and takes approximately 90 minutes. Of these 90 minutes, you will spend 50 minutes underground; The average cave temperature here is 70° Fahrenheit and 99% humidity. Highlights of the tour include learning about the original path of the cave explorers, how water aided in the formation of the cave, and Arizona’s largest pillar formation known as Kubla Khan. This Tucson cave tour costs $23 for anyone 14 and over, $13 for ages 7 to 13, and $5 for children under 7.

The Great Room Tour is ½ mile long and takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is open to visitors only between 15 October and 15 April. During the hour you spend underground, you will witness dazzling color formations and learn about ongoing scientific studies. The price of this tour is the same as the Rotunda/Throne tour, but children under 7 are not allowed.

The Helmet and Headlamp Tour is ½ mile long, takes 75 minutes, and costs $30. Children under 10 years old are not allowed. It’s offered every Saturday except the third Saturday of each month, and the rooms you tour change throughout the year.

Please read general tour information before your visit.

Giant Cave Mountain Park

Cave tours continue near Tucson, Arizona Giant Cave Mountain Park. The passages lead through this underground jewel and the cave is truly huge; There are approximately 3.5 miles of passes that have been mapped and many more that have not yet been mapped.

The ½ mile Classic Cave Tour goes six stories deep and takes about 40 minutes. It’s a charming, family-friendly choice, but children under 5 are prohibited. The fee is $24 for adults and $14 for children ages 5-12. Active military adults with ID pay $22. Since this is a popular tour, it’s a good idea to book in advance.

The Stairs Tour is all about climbing stairs, passing through narrow passages and navigating rock bridges. It lasts 90 minutes and is limited to explorers ages 12 and up. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. You will need to bring your own full-fingered gloves and be physically fit. The cost is $60 and reservations are required.

You can join the Wild Cave Tour for a reservation and $135. This tour is only for people aged 16 and over, and young people under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. It takes up to three hours and passes through tight spaces and some of the deepest and darkest parts of the cave. You must be physically fit for this tour. Various items such as knee and elbow pads are recommended and There are other requirements that need to be reviewed. Please read the whole detailed tour information before booking your visit.