https://azstateparks.com/kartchner/
These caverns have a fascinating story of the discovery and the subsequent actions to protect them from harm. They are one of the rare “living caves” in the world where the formations have been growing for tens of thousands of years, and due to the extraordinary precautions taken during the development of the park, the caverns remain in near pristine condition. The tour, although expensive, was well worth the money spent. We saw so many interesting formations which we have not seen in other cave tours, including one they call ‘Canadian Bacon”. I would definitely go back to tour the other cavern, which is open only 6 months of the year because it is still an active roost for bats to have their young between May – Sep every year.
Strict rules! We have no pictures because you cannot bring anything with you into the cavern – no purse, no water bottle, no camera, etc…. The caverns have been so well preserved because of the rules, and the care taken is impressive. Visitors are driven by shuttles to the entrance where they then go through a series of heavy metal doors to preserve the humidity in the caverns. You are directed not to touch or brush against anything, or to have loose clothing or items on your person. If by accident something is touched, you are to notify the guide, who will then mark the spot with a red ribbon. Staff enter each night to wash these areas of any human contact which apparently will kill the very fragile organisms.
In the visitor centre it is well worth touring the small exhibits and seeing the film before doing a tour. There is also a campground on site, but it was full up for weeks when we were in the area – so book ahead if that’s your plan.