Benson is an important trade hub in the San Pedro Valley, established in 1880 as the railroad was constructed through southern Arizona. Benson became a distribution center for the copper and silver mines. It is the home to the newly opened Kartchner Caverns and the San Pedro and Southwestern Railroad.
Kartchner Caverns is a huge limestone cave discovered in 1974, but kept secret for 14 years. The miles of passages are lined with stone formations in a variety of colors, and include two caves as large as football fields.
Some of the prehistoric findings within the Kartchner Caverns are an 86,000 year old ground sloth, a 34,000 year old horse, and an 11,000 year old bear. Visitors can learn about cave inhabitants including over 1,000 bats during the summer months.
Hours:
7:30am-6pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The San Pedro Valley Arts & Historical Museum in Benson is housed in a renovated grocery store. The exhibits depict life in the Old West including photographs and artifacts related to ranching, mining, and railroading.
Hours:
May 1 to September 30: 10am-2pm; Closed: Sun, Mon
October 1 to April 30: 10am-4pm; Sat:10am-2pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Sun, Mon
The San Pedro and Southwestern Railroad is a four-hour round trip from Benson, passing through the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation area, St David, Bonquillas Ranch and Corrals, Contention City, Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate, Fairbank, Boston Mill, Millville, Charleston and the Iron Horse Guest Ranch.
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