This cave system is located within the boundaries of a 2,400-acre mountain park.Įvery day, guided tours are provided for a fee that varies based on whatever tour you choose. The cave has about 400 steps that make you feel like you’re on your way to the center of the earth. The regular guided tour lasts around an hour. Colossal Cave in Tucson, ArizonaĪ half-mile guided tour of some of the caving systems is available, where you may learn more about the cave’s history and legends, as well as interesting information about the cave’s geological composition. Any trip to Flagstaff should include a visit to Lava River Cave.Īddress: 171B Forest Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001Įntrance Fee: None Colossal Cave Mountain ParkĬolossal Cave is a massive cave system in Arizona that contains some of the top caves in the area. You can even ski into the Lava River Cave if there is enough snow. The roads, which are only 30 miles from Flagstaff, can be closed in the winter, so verify the conditions beforehand. The cave is a self-guided trip, which means you’ll need to do some research before going. Wear thick clothing because the cave is very cold (even in the summer) and the temperature might drop to around 30 degrees. The cave’s fascinating lava passage and adjoining caverns are open to visitors today. It’s also an excellent way to beat the heat, with summer temperatures in the cave averaging 40 degrees and ice appearing on occasion. A volcanic eruption is said to have formed the cave approximately 700,000 years ago. In the Coconino National Forest, the Lava River Cave is a long lava tube. To learn more, visit the neighboring Discovery Center, where you can learn about bats and some of the cave’s fossils.Įntrance Fees: $7 per vehicle Lava River Cave A stray hand could cause irreparable damage to the cave system, so proceed with caution and respect! Kartchner Caverns State Park also offers hiking trails, camping, wildlife viewing, and cabin rentals. These travertine rock formations are extremely fragile and formed over tens of thousands of years. Viewing the numerous travertine rock formations up close gives you a better understanding of geology and the eons of time that these spindles and towers took to form. The tours last around three hours, but since the caves are kept at a constant 70 degrees with 100 percent humidity, you may visit even on the hottest summer day. Although it is difficult to perceive with the naked eye, the cave’s stalagmites and stalactites are still developing.Ī guided tour of the caverns is required and must be booked in advance. The limestone caves were discovered in 1974 and are home to unique minerals and formations, as well as a large bat population. The caverns are home to the world’s longest stalactite structure, as well as a plethora of fascinating nooks and corners to discover. Kartchner State Park is home to the stunning Kartchner Caverns. The state purchased land that belonged to the Kartchner family to protect the cave system. Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen, two cave enthusiasts, discovered this cave near Benson in 1974. The Coolest Arizona Caverns and Caves to Explore Kartchner Caverns State Park Each of the caverns in AZ is a unique experience. The caves of Arizona have unique formations and are made of different minerals. There are so many cool caves on this list and some with some epic views in Sedona – check out the Sedona caves near the end of the list. Kartchner Caverns is the largest cave in Arizona and well worth a visit. 17 Best Caves in Arizona to Visit – Underground Caverns in Arizona!Īrizona Caverns: Wondering where to find the best caves in Arizona? This list of cool Arizona Caves has something for everyone on it.
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