Has anyone been to the Katchner Caverns in southern Arizona? Were they worth the trip?
Where can you stay nearby, and what else is there to see in this area? Thanks.

While I can't answer your questions, I can advise you to check with the Caverns first before many any plans. I've heard from a couple sources that the tours are selling out.

We tried in January to get on the tour for April but all the spots were already taken. Access is very restricted to preserve the caverns. Several friends who live in Tucson have been there and say it is wonderful and will be even better once they finish access. Too late we discovered that you can show up there and they will let you take a spot on the tour if they have cancellations. They give you a time and you can go to Benson and look around, do a picnic, shop the gift shop and come back. They won't tell you that on the phone when you call to make reservations. Just "sorry, we are full" and that is understandable. It's like flying stand-by. You are takeing a chance.

I believe you should stay at a very close motel and just show up about 7a.m. and try for one of the 100 "drop-in" tickets...you could then take a tour from that time on throughout the day, whatever they assign you.

Have you checked the web site? By the way, the cave is spelled Kartchner.