The caverns were discovered in 1974, when cavers Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts found a narrow crack in the bottom of a sinkhole, and followed the source of warm, moist air toward what ended up being more than 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of pristine cave passages. They kept the location a secret for 14 years, deciding that the best way to preserve the cavern — which was near a freeway — was to develop it as a tour cave. The discovery of the cave was finally made public in 1988 when the landowners sold the area to the state for development as a park and show cavern.
The two major features of the caverns currently available to the public are the Throne Room and the Big Room.
The View of the visitors center.
Dean and Ella on the Foothills Loop trail.
The Whetstone Mountains.
The Town of Tombstone
