Kartchner Caverns State Park, home of one of the world's most stunning underground caves, is hosting its annual Cave Fest this Saturday and Sunday, January 21 and 22.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the park — located just south of Benson, in the foothills of the Whetstone Mountains — special guests from the University of Arizona and Arizona Game and Fish Department will present programs on water conservation, the cave's unique qualities and more, the park said in a news release.
Also on hand will be live animal displays, children's activities and food vendors, plus an electronic simulator that gives users an idea of what crawling through a limestone cave is like. The cost of the event is the park entrance fee of $7 per vehicle; guided tours are available for an additional fee, but those should be reserved in advance by visiting www.azstateparks.com or calling 877-MY-PARKS.
The cave was discovered in the 1970s but remained unknown to the public until 1988, when it became a state park. More than a decade of development followed to make the cave accessible to the public; it opened in 1999. For more information, visit the Kartchner Caverns State Park website.