New Arizona Cave Park Is Already a Sellout

Arizona’s spectacular new underground park, Kartchner Caverns, won’t open until Nov. 12, but some dates are already sold out. Featuring two football-field-size chambers with towering ceilings and dazzling limestone formations, the cave is located beneath a 550-acre stretch of desert about an hour’s drive southeast of Tucson.

Discovered in 1974 by a pair of amateur spelunkers, the cave was kept secret until the land was bought by the state in 1988.

Although smaller than Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico--whose main room is nearly a mile long and 350 feet high--Kartchner is unusual because it is still “alive,” meaning its colorful formations are still growing, officials said. Arizona has spent more than $26 million on an elaborate system of humidifiers, air-lock doors and other amenities designed to preserve the cave’s pristine condition while allowing public access.

One-hour tours, which conclude with a music and light show overlooking a 60-foot column called Kubla Khan, will run along Kartchner’s half-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail. (The rest of the 2.4-mile cave is closed indefinitely.) The cost is $14 for adults, $6 for children 7 to 13 and free under 7. Tickets are $2 less at the door, but reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, which as of last week were booked solid through late December (tickets went on sale last month). There is an added park entrance fee of $10 per carload of four (extra passengers cost $1 each).

Kartchner Caverns State Park will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Christmas. The cave is off Interstate 10 near Benson. Telephone (520) 586-CAVE.