If you ever read the Jules Verne classic, “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, you’ll know that the start of the crew’s journey began by trekking through a volcano and its adjacent tubes. Would you like to make a similar trek but on a more local level? There are many caves in Arizona as well as caverns to visit, and other cave-like environments.

However, only a tiny fraction of those are open to the public since many are too fragile to endure inexperienced spelunkers stomping through their delicate, unique ecosystems. While we can’t guarantee that you’ll encounter any of the strange flora and fauna that the novel’s team did, there are still plenty of breathtaking sights to set your eyes on in each of these Arizona caves.

 

1. Cave of the Bells
Gene Wilburn/Flickr
Situated in Coronado National Forest in Sawmill Canyon, this cave makes for a nice spelunking adventure. The interior of the cave is, surprisingly, on the warm side and a permanent lake can also be found a short distance from the entrance. However, because the cave has an extremely delicate environment, access to the cave is granted only through the Forest Supervisor’s office. Leave a $100 deposit, get keys to access the cave, then return the keys after your adventure to get your deposit back. You can learn more about how to visit the Cave of the Bells. It's important to note availability each week to access the cave is limited, so you'll want to reserve well in advance of your trip.
wplynn/Flickr
These crystal formations are delicate to the touch.
Cave of the Bells, Santa Rita Mountains, Patagonia, AZ 85624, USA
wplynn/Flickr
Some strange little life growing inside the cave.
2. Colossal Cave
BlackDaffodil/Flickr
One of the more popular Arizona caves, Colossal Cave is located about 22 miles southeast of Tucson and is popular for its mapped passageways and guided tours. You also don’t have to worry about treading too lightly here because the formations in the cave are dry or no longer growing. As a side note, the cave is also a popular location for bats so try to avoid getting guano on yourself. Learn more about Colossal Cave.
James Stutzman/Flickr
A look above your head is just as spectacular as that ahead of you.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641, USA
Jamison Hiner/Flickr
3. Coronado Cave
Patrick Finnegan/Flickr
Found near the Arizona-Mexico border, spelunkers debate about the actual size of the cave; some claim it is large with many rooms while others state that the cave is on the smaller side. Find more information about Coronado Cave.

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Coronado Cave, 9P2Q+8M5, Hereford, AZ 85615, USA
Patrick Finnegan/Flickr
4. Grand Canyon Caverns
Michael Kappel/Flickr
Grand Canyon Caverns, AZ-66, Peach Springs, AZ 86434, USA
Michael Kappel/Flickr
This cave was a recent discovery and was opened to the public in 1999. Located a short 9 miles from Benson, Kartchner Caverns features stunning rooms and much unique fauna that thrive in the cavern. You may also want to know that the cavern is closed during the summer months when bats roost inside. Learn more by visiting the Kartchner Caverns website.
5. Kartchner Caverns
M P R/Flickr
This cave was a recent discovery and was opened to the public in 1999. Located a short 9 miles from Benson, Kartchner Caverns features stunning rooms and much unique fauna that thrive in the cavern. You may also want to know that the cavern is closed during the summer months when bats roost inside. Learn more by visiting the Kartchner Caverns website.
Kartchner Caverns State Park, 2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ 85602, USA
M P R/Flickr
It looks dark and spooky here.
6. Lava River Cave
Volkan Yuksel, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The name of this cave near Flagstaff comes from its creation: about 700,000 years ago, lava flowed through here from a volcanic vent, creating an underground tube. It also makes for a great escape from the heat since the summer temperatures in the cave average 40 degrees and you can occasionally even see ice. Find out more about the Lava River Cave.
7. Peppersauce Cave
Peppersauce Cave, Oracle, AZ 85701, USA
Mark Donoher/Flickr
Okay, let’s be real here. This looks an awful lot like the little cave R2D2 attempted to hide from the Jawas in, in the edited version of A New Hope. Anyway, located south of Oracle, Peppersauce Cave is a nice hidden treasure. You won’t find guided tours here and the only sign that leads to the cave is not visible from the main road. A passage leads one mile into the cave where you can come across several "rooms." Discover more at the Peppersauce Cave Facebook page.

While there are over 2,400 verified caves and caverns in Arizona, there is only a handful that is open to the public. These otherworldly cave tours in Arizona are a fascinating look at what mysteries are waiting just below our feet. What are your favorite caves in Arizona to visit?

Did you know there are neat geological formations on the surface, too? Check out this unique geological formation in Arizona for more interesting views of our natural world.

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More to Explore

Caves To Visit In Arizona

Leah | January 01, 2023

Does Arizona have any natural wonders?

Arizona is filled with natural wonders. Some of the most beautiful areas of Arizona are well known, like the Grand Canyon. Then, there are the lesser-known yet equally stunning spots like the Chiricahua National Monuments. Here are a few of the most interesting natural wonders in Arizona:

1. Antelope Canyon
2. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
3. Chiricahua National Monument
4. The Grand Canyon
5. Havasu Falls
6. Kartchner Caverns

There is no shortage of natural beauty in this state. Check out this list of 13 natural wonders in AZ. Even within the Grand Canyon itself are spots of wonder, like Havasu Falls. The waters of the falls are rich with minerals and it makes them a vivid turquoise color, perfectly contrasting with the red of the rocky walls surrounding them. The best-preserved crater in the world is in Arizona, known as both Meteor Crater and Barringer Crater. You can see it for yourself by utilizing the trails and facilities around it.

What are the best outdoor adventures in Arizona?

There is obviously quite a bit to see under the surface in Arizona, which means there’s, even more, to discover above. The Grand Canyon State is loaded with fun outdoor adventures. You can hike to an Arizona hot spring just a quick drive from the Hoover Dam. The Petrified Forest National Park has some of the most varied landscapes in all of the state. It includes colorful badlands, grassy plains, and – of course – petrified wood galore. Here are a few more outdoor adventures in Arizona:

1. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
2. Red Rock State Park
3. Slide Rock State Park
4. Aspen Nature Loop
5. Mount Lemmon

Where can I hike to a cave in Arizona?

 

If you love spelunking and trails, you'll be happy to know that there are fantastic cave hikes in Arizona you can take yourself. While guided tours and visits to caves that you can park outside of are fun, these trails require at least a couple of miles of hiking to reach - and they are so worth it. The Wave Cave Trail is just over 3 miles long in the Superstition Wilderness. You'll hike up into the canyons to the uniquely shaped cave and be treated to an awesome view of the valley below. The Old Caves Crater Trail in the Coconino National Forest is another cave hike in Arizona at a little over 4 miles long. Though the journey is long, the reward is a visit to a lava-formed cave at the end.

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