Caverns of Sonora — Attraction in Sonora

We went on a tour of the caverns and it had the “wow” factor! It was a really beautiful cavern with so much to look at. There was everything you would want to see and more - including formations that aren’t found anywhere else in the world.

The temperature is very warm so when they say do not bring jackets etc they mean it - they will transport your coats to the exit if it is a cool day so you don’t need to worry about being cold walking (short distance) back to your car.

The store has a lot to look at and their homemade fudge is delicious and they have a LOT of options to choose from. You can ask for an expired bag of chips so you can feed the peacocks if you wish. Make sure you go out behind the store and see their white peacock that is in a cage out back.

They do have rules that you must follow and they stick to them. My son dropped his camera leans cover and they would not retrieve it for him. It was literally right beside the stairs where he was standing, he could have bent down exactly where he was and picked it up without touching or disturbing a thing but the guide said absolutely not. The guide wouldn’t even come to where we were so he could see where it was. (I get rules and we respect them but that seemed a little ridiculous)…

Camping We camped there for two nights. water and electricity but no sewer. *there is a dump station off Highway 10 just east of the cavern turnoff so very close if you need it or to dump on your way out.

It was going to be cold (freezing temperatures) over night but they were already turning the water off at 2:00 pm. It would have been nice for them to wait until at least dinner time so the campers could make dinner and fill their tanks etc.

There were washrooms available to the campers and 1 shower stall (1 for men and 1 for woman) however you needed to time it right as the water got cold if someone snuck in there before you.

They stated no cell service or wifi however we were able to get some cell signal down by the pull thru sites if you require cell service.

We would visit the caverns again and hopefully some of the other tours will...

Truth be told, this was an unplanned stop on our way THRU Texas. We saw signs and veered off the main road to check it out. Why not? It was close to closing time! Turned out to be one of the most surreal and magical experiences of my life. What a gem (pun intended). I had no idea, little/no expectations. The entire thing was a sequence of mind-blowing surprises, awe inspiring, breathtakingly beautiful, unexpectedly humbling. OUR experience started with a small bit of frustration: we got there after the last tour of the day had already started so we were not able to go into the cave. Bummer. But the genuinely friendly attendant told us about the camp ground and the early morning tours; that the best thing to do would be to spend the night (a mere $15 for the tent space with electricity and water available at every site). We did. We rested well, peacefully. We enjoyed the GREAT hot shower in their REALLY clean bathrooms. We caught the first tour of the next day, registering as soon as the doors opened (8am). And OH BOY, so very glad we took her advice!!! Rejuvenated from road-tripping, we were able to truly enjoy the “hike” underground. The tour was wonder-full. The guide was amazingly insightful, educational and entertaining. The cave itself, an alien terrain with a HUGE variety of spaces, textures, colors… wow. The path thru the cave SO tastefully created and well maintained. The tour had a great pace and catered well to a variety of tastes and levels of interest and enthusiasm… a little something for everyone. Adding to the spectacular experience, we even got to enjoy the peacocks roaming the grounds around the gift shop. Never saw a white peacock before. Go figure. All in all, two HUGE thumbs up for the whole thing. Make it a destination. Or stumble upon it. Either way you GOTTA see it for yourself. I, for one, am looking forward to visiting it again someday. Next time,...

The Caverns of Sonora is undoubtedly a breathtaking natural wonder. The formations inside — from crystal-covered walls to stunning limestone landscapes that resemble apple sauce, pouring ice cream with a cherry on top, and even bacon — are truly mesmerizing and showcase nature’s artistry at its finest.

However, there are several important safety and accessibility concerns that future visitors should be aware of:

🔴 Footwear is crucial — the pathways are slippery, especially on the downhill slopes. Good, grippy shoes are a must.

🔴 The hike is strenuous — although the walking distance is about 2 miles, you’ll be climbing the equivalent of 15 floors up and down. This can be challenging for many.

🔴 No water allowed — visitors are not allowed to carry drinking water inside, which I found concerning given the length and humidity of the tour.

🔴 Safety protocols seem lacking — the guides do not carry visible first-aid kits, nor do they have walkie-talkies or radios for emergency communication. Entry and exit doors are locked during the tour, which raises some safety red flags in case of an emergency.

🔴 Extreme humidity and moments of complete darkness — the environment can be very uncomfortable, especially for those with claustrophobia. While you can request not to have complete darkness or to take more rest stops, it’s something to be aware of before booking.

Overall, while the caverns themselves are spectacular and worth seeing, I would urge the management to review and improve safety procedures, accessibility, and hydration policies to ensure a better and safer experience for...