Discover the Top 7 Best Caves in All of Arizona

There’s something about trekking through an underground cave that makes you feel like you’re on another planet. Life below the surface looks almost alien, covered with delicate crystals, giant rock formations, and hanging stalactites. Many even feature ancient fossils from animals that roamed the earth millions of years ago. And you may be surprised to know that most states have explorable caverns just a short drive away. Discover the top seven best caves in all of Arizona. Learn about their locations and what makes them unique.

1. Colossal Cave

Just a short drive southeast of Tucson is Colossal Cave, an extensive underground cave system featuring miles of exploration. While the land in the southwest was once covered by a vast sea, this cave is now one of the largest dry caves on the continent. Colossal Cave is located inside Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Vail, a popular spot for hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding, and cave exploring! The park offers two types of tours: classic and ladder. 

The classic tour is a half-mile guided tour, descending about six stories. The ladder tour is for the more adventurous spirits, as participants climb ladders, traverse rock bridges, and squeeze through narrow passages. Classic tours are for the whole family, but ladder tours are for those 12 years and older.

2. Cave of the Bells

Located in Santa Rita Mountains in Sawmill Canyon, Cave of the Bells is a little tucked-away gem. However, entering this cave requires more knowledge and experience than exploring the touristy Colossal Cave. According to the Coronado National Forest Service, the cave entrance has a locked gate to prevent vandalism. To enter, you must pick up the key from the forest service, along with a refundable $100 deposit. 

Once you get the key, you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to access the remote dirt road. And inside, you will most likely need some climbing equipment, such as ropes. One of the more notable cave chambers features a permanent lake, reaching 76 degrees. Interestingly, the temperature gets warmer the further down you go.   

3. Lava River Cave

The Lava River Cave is the longest lava tube cave in the state. It is located in Northern Arizona in the Coconino National Forest and was formed 700,000 years ago by molten rock from a volcano in the Hart Prairie. Lava River Cave is open for exploration year-round, except during adverse weather conditions. Enter the mile-long cave at your own risk and come prepared with extra light sources and warm clothing.

4. Coronado Cave

This cave is one of the few open to the public without a permit in Southern Arizona. Coronado Cave is undeveloped and believed to have been used by middle archaic people 8,000 years ago for shelter. However, no artifacts or evidence remain. The cavern is about 600 feet long, so it’s big enough to explore, but not large enough to get lost. To get to the cave, you will have to hike a half-mile trail and scramble over slippery rocks.

5. Peppersauce Cave

North of Tucson, Peppersauce Cave is in the Santa Catalina Mountains in the Coronado National Forest. The entrance is on Mt. Lemon’s back slope and features around one mile of passages. This cave does not feature any guided tours, but there is a kiosk with a map below the cave. The entrance is small, but it opens up to a larger chamber. And there are ropes and ladders to help you get around. Also, keep an eye out for the underground lake and rockslide. 

6. Grand Canyon Caverns

The Grand Canyon Caverns are some of the largest dry caverns in the United States. They are located about 200 feet below the surface in Coconino County, east of Peach Springs. These caverns are a tourist attraction, featuring camping, hotels, pools, a cafe, and a visitor center. You can book a fully guided tour and even stay the night inside the cave. Everything is well-lit and great for families.

7. Kartchner Caverns

The Kartchner Caverns are another show cave, meaning they offer guided tours and other attractions. These caverns are in Benson, Arizona, in the Kartchner Caverns State Park. There are several tours to choose from, and they incorporate cave exploration with geological education. This is a family-friendly spot that accommodates people with limited accessibility.

Summary of the 7 Best Caves in All of Arizona