Southern Arizona's Kartchner Caverns State Park is host to a variety of unique minerals including the world's longest stalactite formation. Discovered in 1974, this "live" limestone cave became an Arizona State Park in 1988. It is extremely well protected from too much human disturbance during tours since the limestone caverns are still developing and are home to a huge colony of bats. Because of its remote location, you have to travel a bit for accommodations.
While Kartchner Caverns State Park is 49 miles east of Tucson on Route 90 south of Interstate 10, there are closer places in this part of southern Arizona you can find a hotel. The city of Benson is the closet at 10 miles north of the caverns and just off I-10.
It has copyrighted the name "Home of the Kartchner Caverns State Park." The legendary Tombstone, Arizona, "The Town Too Tough to Die," is on Route 80 south of Benson and is 18 miles southeast of the park.
The Benson Days Inn is one of the first hotels you'll see, located off Interstate10 at exit 304. Some rooms are adjoining and the rooms at the interior part of the hotel have a refrigerator and microwave. Outside there's a swimming pool and whirlpool, and in the morning a complimentary continental breakfast is served. Staying here, you will have a 10-mile drive to Kartchner Caverns.
If you travel with pets, the pet-friendly Best Western Quail Hollow Inn is just off Interstate 10 in Benson and 10 miles from Kartchner Caverns. Winner of Best Western's Director's Award for Quality 2009, this accommodation offers an unusually large number of amenities, including cable satellite television, high-speed Internet and a complimentary full breakfast buffet. If you want to stay in shape, there's an outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub as well as an exercise facility.
Sitting on top of a hill off Route 80 overlooking historical Tombstone, the Holiday Inn Express offers views from almost every room and is an 18.5-mile drive to Kartchner Caverns. You can walk down to Boot Hill Cemetery or stroll through town to historic Allen Street. Its AAA 3 Diamond rating is the highest in Tombstone and each room offers high-speed Internet. There is even wireless access in the breakfast room.
The Best Western Lookout Lodge was recently renovated (as of October 2010) and is also located on Route 80, 18.5 miles from Kartchner Caverns. You can eat the complimentary hot breakfast inside or on an outside patio with a view of the Dragoon Mountains. In the Ranch 22 dining room, you'll find a full menu of healthy creations for breakfast and dinner, and in the evening, the hotel fires up its outdoor fire pit.
If you prefer a more historic setting, the Larian is located in the heart of Tombstone's historic district on East Fremont Street and is considered a historic landmark. Built in 1957, the Larian has 14 large rooms, free coffee, and refrigerators in some rooms. You can also bring your pet, while children 14 and younger stay free. Baby cribs are available. From this downtown Tombstone location, Kartchner Caverns is an 18-mile drive.
