Sierra Vista has no shortage of outdoor destinations to explore. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a weekend warrior, you will have numerous opportunities to get outside and discover the beauty that nature has to offer. However, the exploration doesn’t have to stop when the weather heats up. There are several nearby caves and caverns where you can escape the heat and behold a wealth of geological wonders. Southern Arizona’s caves are a marvel to explore all year round, and they stay at roughly the same temperature inside throughout every season. If you want to catch a glimpse of the underground, put these destinations on your list.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Kartchner Caverns is an amazing destination for everyone to enjoy. Cave tours are available daily, and they can accommodate individuals of all fitness levels and abilities. In fact, the trail system inside Kartchner Caverns is one of only a few in the world designed for people with limited mobility. There are two tours that take visitors through different areas of the cave, each spanning about ½ mile. The Rotunda/Throne Tour is offered year-round and is ideal for visitors of all ages. The Big Room Tour is only available from October 15th-April 15th to accommodate a migrating bat population. This tour is not available for children under the age of 7.
Both tours offer incredible views of delicate cave formations, and each lasts for about 1-2 hours. Kartchner Caverns is a uniquely preserved cave, as it has been protected as a state park since its discovery in 1974. Reservations for cave tours are highly recommended, and tours are offered daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coronado Cave
If you want a more self-guided and rugged caving experience, head to Coronado Cave at Coronado National Memorial. The trailhead for Coronado Cave is about a quarter mile up the road from Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center. The trail offers a short, one-mile round trip hike with just 500 feet in elevation gain to the cave’s entrance. The cave is 600 feet long and only requires a little scrambling to reach the cave floor. You don’t need to be a highly experienced spelunker to make your way through this cave, but you should come prepared with at least two flashlights, gloves, and plenty of water, as well as appropriate clothing.
Colossal Cave
Colossal Cave is located in Vail, just outside of Tucson. It is another guided cave tour, but there are various levels of adventuring offered. Classic cave tours are appropriate for most skill levels and offer a great look at some of the cave’s beautiful formations. You may even spot some wildlife, too! Ladder tours take you to lesser-seen areas of the cave, allowing an opportunity to squeeze through tight spaces and do some climbing. These tours are offered to individuals ages 12 and up, and they do require participants to be physically fit.
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