Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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itself is a modern, sprawling community outside the gates of the U.S. Army's Fort Hua-
chuca, it is wedged between the Huachuca Mountains and the valley of the San Pedro
River. Consequently, Sierra Vista makes a good base for exploring the region's natural
attractions.
Within a few miles' drive of town are the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation
Area, Coronado National Memorial, and the Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon
Preserve. No other area of the United States attracts more attention from birders, who
come in hopes of spotting some of the 300 bird species that have been sighted in south-
eastern Arizona. About 25 miles north of town is Kartchner Caverns State Park, the
region's biggest attraction.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
Sierra Vista is at the junction of Ariz. 90 and Ariz. 92, about 35
miles south of I-10.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Sierra Vista Convention & Visitors Bureau,
3020
Tacoma St. (
&
800/288-3861
or 520/417-6960; www.visitsierravista.com), can provide
information on the area. To find the visitor center if you're coming from the north, take
the Ariz. 90 Bypass, turn right on Coronado Drive, turn left on Tacoma Street, and
continue to the Oscar Yrun Community Center.
ATTRACTIONS AROUND BENSON
Kartchner Caverns State Park
These caverns are among the largest and most
beautiful in the country, and because they are wet caverns, stalactites, stalagmites, soda
straws, and other cave formations are still growing. Within the caverns are two huge
rooms, each larger than a football field with ceilings more than 100 feet high. These two
rooms can be visited on two separate tours. On the shorter Rotunda/Throne Room Tour,
you'll see, in the Rotunda Room, thousands of delicate soda straws. The highlight,
though, is the Throne Room, at the center of which is a 58-foot-tall column. The second,
and longer, tour visits the Big Room and leads past many strange and rare cave forma-
tions. Within the park are several miles of aboveground hiking trails. A campground ($22
per night) provides a convenient place to stay in the area.
Because the caverns are a popular attraction and tours are limited, try to make a res-
ervation in advance, especially if you want to visit on a weekend. However, it is some-
times possible to get same-day tickets for the Rotunda/Throne Room Tour if you happen
to be passing by.
Off Ariz. 90, 9 miles south of Benson.
&
520/586-2283
for reservations or 520/586-4100 for information.
www.azstateparks.com. Admission $5 per car; Rotunda/Throne Room Tour $19 adults ($17 Aug-Sept),
$9.95 children 7-13 ($8.95 Aug-Sept), free for children 6 and under; Big Room Tour $23 adults, $13 chil-
dren 7-13, children 6 or under not allowed. Park daily 7:30am-6pm; cave tours approx. every 20 min.
8am-5pm. Closed Christmas; no Big Room Tours Apr 16-Oct 14.
BIRDING HOT SPOTS & OTHER NATURAL AREAS
If you'd like to join a guided bird walk along the San Pedro River or up Carr Canyon in
the Huachuca Mountains, an owl-watching night hike, or a hummingbird banding ses-
sion, contact the
Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory
(
&
520/432-1388;
www.
sabo.org), which also has a public bird-viewing area at its headquarters 2 miles north of
the Mule Mountain Tunnel, on Ariz. 80, north of Bisbee (watch for Hidden Meadow
Lane). Most activities cost $10 to $15, although some day trips are as much as $75.
Workshops and tours are also offered.
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