Top Things to do in Arizona
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Things to do in Arizona, United States: The Best Caverns & Caves
The state of Arizona is one that features a fantastic diversity of landscapes and areas of geological interest. North Arizona is famous for the Grand Canyon, a colorful chasm with steep rocky walls more than a mile deep and stretching some 277 miles alongside the Colorado River. Other notable destinations in North Arizona include Flagstaff set alongside the San Francisco Peaks which has the largest ponderosa pine forest, Museum of Northern Arizona, and is close to a number of national parks and monuments. On the south side of Arizona lies the city of Phoenix, the largest in Arizona. Notable day trips in Phoenix include the Heard Museum which is one of America's largest collections of Native American art, Phoenix Museum of History, as well as the Desert Botanical garden which has a great collection of desert plants.
Restaurants in Arizona
1. Tonto National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reservations are required to visit the ruins of Salado cliff dwellings.
Reviewed By patricialE7247YA - Aiken, United States
This is a must see if you are in this area. The hike up was difficult, especially a week before major back surgery, but worth the pain and effort. The cave dwellings are incredible and the park ranger was really knowledgeable. We combined this trip with the Apache Trail and for me they were the two highlights of an incredible triip
2. Kartchner Caverns State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,733 reviews
In November 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. They were looking “for a cave no one had ever found” and found it. The two kept the cave a secret until February 1978 when they told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner, about their awesome discovery. Since unprotected caves can be seriously damaged by unregulated use, they knew the cave had to be protected. Tenen and Tufts spent several years looking into the possibility of developing the cave themselves. Some members of the Kartchner family lived in Tucson and were very impressed with the development and operation of Catalina State Park by Arizona State Parks. They decided to approach State Parks to see if the agency was interested in acquiring this outstanding resource
Reviewed By 105davidj
We were in Tucson and looking for something out of the ordinary and came across this place. Although discovered 50 years ago, its location was a closely guarded secret until the discoverers and the owners of the land it is on were able to work with the State of Arizona to add it to the state park system. It's really a fascinating tour, led by VERY knowledgable and friendly tour guides. The tour is a little over an hour and is a not-too-strenuous walk. The natural formations, stalactites and stalagmites (I always forget which is which), are absolutely fascinating. The tour concludes with a restful stop at "The Throne Room," complete with calming, peaceful music and ever changing light displays on the rocky outcroppings. Highly recommended.
3. Coronado Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Also called Montezuma's Treasure Vault and Geronimo's Cave, this subterranean system extends approximately 600 feet in length and is believed to have been used by the Apaches as a hide-out from the U.S. Army in the late 1800's.
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
We had a hihe to so. We like that. However we bought a flash to see the caves. There were people in the caverns with no flashes, they could not see much. Anyway we hiked and learned about flowers and cacti I liked the mountains. Wow! When we were close to the cave, someone helped us to get through. There were kids also. Wit our flash we could see way more than those with no lights. This was our best attraction for this day. The hiking what also worthwhile! P.S. If you have no flash, ask to buy at the Visitor's Center.
4. Lava River Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 451 reviews
Reviewed By 931tracyt
Bring a head lamp or flashlight. Tennis shoes are fine unless there has been a heavy rain or snow. It is a very short, flat hike from the parking area. At first the hike into the cave is rocky but the further in you get the easier the walking. In two places the ceiling drops down enough I had the bend down quite a bit but then rises again. I walked upright most of the way to the end. There are no offshoots, you really can't get lost.
5. Water Holes Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By travlin_fam5 - West Springfield, United States
We picked Water Holes Canyon with Waterhole Canyon Experience for a mire relaxed, leas crowded slot canyon tour and that is exactly what we got. Note... coming from Page, the tour office and meeting is a bit past the specified mile marker and you can’t see it until right at their entrance... so keep going slowly after the mile marker about another. 1.4 mile. We enjoyed this tour very much! The beauty and color of the rock formations was breathtaking. I was torn between taking pix and just enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of the canyon. Our guide, McKyle, pointed out places to take good photos, took pix of us, and told us interesting facts about tue canyon. He was very patient with answering our questions. Highly recommend! Note there are porta-potties at the tour office and one at the starting point for the hike.
6. Grand Canyon Caverns
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 472 reviews
These caverns began forming 300 million years ago and contain mummified remains of animals that died in them.
Reviewed By SandraN714 - Spotsylvania, United States
You pull into the parking lot and we’re greeted by John who gave us a little bit of information about the caverns we had booked a tour that included lunch which was a great deal Reggie was our tour guide through the Caverns he did an awesome job Afterwards we went back down is the Catherine and had lunch Randy did a great job of serving us our lunch and taking care of us the food was awesome the atmosphere was delightful I would recommend this place to anybody that is out by peach Spring it is so worth the trip to go and see the caverns and have lunch inside of the cabinets they also have a suite that you can book for the night and sleep in the caverns.
7. Massacre Cave
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
Chilling ruins of a rock shelter where, in 1805, 115 Navajos were killed defending their home.
Reviewed By peggysb2020 - Stony Plain, Canada
It was a perfect day for a hike, with our walking poles in hand we had no idea how this trail would lead us to a water falls that would refresh our mind and bodies. The first part of the trail is very rocky then a lot of loose shale but not a difficult hike. Beautiful desert, cactus and all around scenery. This was our 6th hike ever and our longest, 2 hours in and 2 hours out, we are new at this so give us time folks, we are going farther each time we go out. Dwayne & Peggy Brown Alberta, CANADA
8. Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 567 reviews
Your adventure starts at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Cave tours, hiking & biking, trail rides, camping & picnicking, terrace Café & gift shop...we have it all! Our bats are shy, gentle, intelligent creatures that deserve to be recognized. Stop on in for a cave tour or an adventure tour! When you are finished with your tour come relax under our cool shaded retreat for a picnic in the park.
Reviewed By TabithaC94 - Sebastopol, United States
We did the 10am tour and it was phenomenal! We have 9yr old twins and they loved it too! Dane, our guide, was simply fantastic! His wealth of knowledge, not just about the cave's history, but history in general was amazing! He was interesting and funny as well! The cabe temperature is always 70-71 degrees so no sweaters or jackets are necessary. Bring a small flashlight If you'd like; the guide has one but if you want to explore little "nooks and crannies" a small light is great. The have a small cafe with great food and drinks, and very affordable! There is a gift shop on site too. This is a great place for all ages actually. The classic tour is good for families, first dates, friends, and older folks alike! If you are very adventurous then I'd do the "ladder tour." Just know that if you are claustrophobic at all do not--there are very, very tight and narrow sections. Just phenomenal. ;)
