Arts & Entertainment

Kartchner Caverns 20th Anniversary Brings Free Admission Saturday

Saturday, Nov. 16 is the Kartchner Caverns state park's 20th anniversary celebration. Admission is free, and family activities abound.

Kartchner Caverns' anniversary celebration includes a 1 p.m. Ocotillo Trail guided hike where participants will be instructed on using the iNaturalist app to note their observations.
Kartchner Caverns' anniversary celebration includes a 1 p.m. Ocotillo Trail guided hike where participants will be instructed on using the iNaturalist app to note their observations. (Google Maps)

TUCSON, AZ — This Saturday, Tucson area residents can celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic Kartchner Caverns as a state park. For the celebration, the park offers free admission all day Saturday, Nov. 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. And the day promises to be chock-full of celebratory activities.

One such activity is the all-day presence of the Huachuca Astronomy club at the Caverns, offering solar viewing and a star party that lasts until 9 p.m. Rocky Ringtail will stop by, and there will be kids geology activities. Youth can also become junior rangers and find out more about other state parks, or they can learn what is required to preserve the Kartchner Caverns. Reptiles will also be onsite for seeing and learning purposes, presented by the Herpetological Society.

Hiking fans can participate in a 1 p.m. Ocotillo Trail guided hike at the park. Participants will be instructed on using the iNaturalist app so they can record what they observe at the park. Park rangers will also be onhand for a meet and greet as the iNaturalist adventure starts.

Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

For more information, access the Kartchner Caverns State Park webpage or call 1-877-MY-PARKS.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.