Cave Tour Information

To make Cave Tour Reservations and Book Tickets: Call (520) 586-2283. You can call 7 days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm MST. You can now make same day Cave Tour reservations! (based on availability)

Rotunda/Throne Tour will Close Oct. 15 – Dec. 14

Note: The Rotunda/Throne Tour will close for scientific research from October 15 – December 14; it will re-open starting December 15. During this time period you may take the Big Room Tour.

Kartchner Caverns State Park
Cave Tour Prices
Cavern Tour	Ages 0–6	Ages 7–13	Ages 14+
Rotunda/Throne Tour:	FREE	$9.95	$18.95
Big Room Tour	FREE	$12.95	$22.95

Please read through the following important information before calling to reserve your tickets. The park will be closed December 25, 2010.

Rotunda/Throne Tour

Length: ½ mile
Time: 1½ hours. Closed October 15 - December 14.
Has been open since 1999. It is half of a mile in length and takes approximately an hour and a half to complete, 50 minutes of which is underground. Discover the role that water plays in creating the cavern. You will see the discoverers original trail, 45,000 year-old bat guano, delicate formations and “Kubla Khan,” the largest column formation in Arizona.

Big Room Tour

Length: ½ mile
Time: 1½ hours. Tours Available October 15 - April 15.
Has been open since 2003. Tours are available from mid-October to mid-April and are scheduled throughout the day. It is half of a mile long and takes an hour and 45 minutes to complete, one hour of which is underground. The Kartchner Cavern story is about amazing discoveries past, present and future. Marvel at the many strange and colorful formations. Learn about the cave fauna, both living and ancient. Experience the wonder of the cave’s discovery and learn about new scientific research and discoveries as ongoing studies continue.

General Tour Information

All tours are led by a trained guide, no self-guided tours are available. Various tours are scheduled daily. It is recommended that tours be booked as far in advance as possible to ensure availability. No items (bags, purses, packs, bottled water, etc) are allowed into the cave while on tour. Try to arrive at least 1 hour in advance of your tour time. We also request that you familiarize yourself with our very important Cave Tour Rules.

The cave has an average temperature of 72° Fahrenheit (22° Celsius) and 99% humidity year-round, so it will feel very warm and steamy. Most areas are dimly lit and some passages may pass through narrow or enclosed areas. This may be difficult for persons with mobility, respiratory or claustrophobia issues. See our Accessibility Information for more details.

Schools & Group Tours should also read our additional information.

Tickets:
Tickets are available for reservation by calling (520) 586-2283. Reservations are highly recommended for all tours. Any tickets not reserved in advance will be sold at the park on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the tour. These tickets generally sell out early and quickly. There is no guarantee there will be any first-come, first-served, unreserved tickets available on any given day. Don't risk not seeing the cave, call for reservations in advance. (Note: You can now make same day reservations based on availability.)

How to Make Reservations:
Reservations are highly recommended for all tours. You will need to pick up your tickets at the park on the day of your tour; we do not mail out tour tickets.

To purchase tickets call (520) 586-2283 between 8 am and 5 pm (Mountain Standard Time) any day of the week. Purchases may be made with Visa or Mastercard. After reservations are made, you will be given a confirmation number. Please present the confirmation number to the Front Desk when arriving for your tour.

Information for Parents:
It is not uncommon for young children, six years and under, to become frightened or uncomfortable in the cave environment. In these instances, the child and parent will be allowed to leave the cave tour for their well being and safety. Please inquire upon check-in if you have any concerns.

Strollers and backpack carriers are not permitted on the tour. For very young children (birth to one year) soft slings or pouches with the child on the front of the mother or father are recommended. Most infants do not tolerate the cave environment very well so plan accordingly when planning your visit to the park.

Booking Both Tours on the Same Day:
If you are buying tickets for both the Rotunda/Throne Tour and the Big Room Tour on the same day, talk to your reservation agent about scheduling both; you may enjoy a picnic lunch between tours or grab lunch at the Bat Cave Cafe.

Call for Cave Tour Tickets (520) 586-2283

Eco-Science Trek:
Try the Eco-Science Trek and learn about the conservation techniques used to preserve the cave's fragile ecosystem during construction and continued visitation. It follows the same path as the Rotunda/Throne Room tour.

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Cave Tour Information

Rotunda/Throne Tour will Close Oct. 15 – Dec. 14

Rotunda/Throne Tour

Big Room Tour

General Tour Information