Explore Benson’s 14 Unique Attractions!
The Benson area has unique historical attractions that are only found in Southern Arizona. Visitors can explore spectacular caverns, tour the Western movie set where “Tombstone” was filmed, and much more!
The award-winning Benson Visitor Center is a testament to Benson’s role in shaping the Western frontier. As a crucial stopping point for the Butterfield Overland Stage and later, as a railroad center for the Southern Pacific in 1880, Benson’s history is deeply intertwined with the development of the region. Train passengers would disembark in Benson and continue their journey by stagecoach to nearby towns such as Tombstone and Bisbee. The local mines in Tombstone, Bisbee, and Clifton further cemented Benson’s historical significance as they shipped their silver and copper ore through this bustling town.
Benson is still a traveler’s gateway and a “must-see” location for those visiting southern Arizona and driving the historical Highway 80 that connects Benson with Tombstone, Bisbee, Douglas, and Mexico.
What would your family like to do today!
Explore Each of Benson’s 14 Attractions Listed Below!
Benson Visitor Center
Local Travel Tips From an Award-Winning Visitor Center
Start your Explore Benson adventure at the Benson Visitor Center – Train Depot in the heart of the historic downtown. The beautiful replica railroad depot uses many of the same architectural features as the original depot that was built over a century ago. The friendly and professional staff provide tips on all the things to do and see plus advise on where to grab a great meal. Kids (and adults) can even try the train simulator for FREE and earn themselves a nifty “Benson Train Engineer Certificate.”
Hours: Monday -Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Benson Visitor Center
249 E 4th St, Benson, Arizona 85602
www.bensonvisitorcenter.com
(520) 586-4293
Located in Downtown Benson
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Tours of an Amazing Underground World
Explore the massive Kartchner Caverns! The Rotunda/Throne Tour follows the original trail a half mile through the caverns and features Kubla Khan, the tallest column formation known in Arizona at 58 feet. The tour also passes the miraculous 21 foot “soda straw” stalactite, Other ways to experience the caverns include The Big Room Tour, Helmet & Headlamp Tour and Photo Tour. Tours are seasonal. Reservations are required. Please check their online tour schedule before planning your visit.
Hike the Whetstone Mountains! Kartchner Caverns State Park has more than just caves! You can experience the park above ground through hiking trails designed for a leisurely stroll or a more strenuous hike. Explore deep into the Whetstone Mountains, or stick close and check out the beautiful scenery around the park camp.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 S. Hwy 90, Benson, AZ 85602
www.azstateparks.com/kartchner
520-586-4100
15 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Mescal Movie Set
Historical Film Tours of a Western Movie Set
Put on your cowboy boots and hat and mosey on down to a famous Western movie set! The Mescal Movie Set is a 1880’s cinematic town where the movies Tombstone,” “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” “The Quick and the Dead” and 100+ other classic Westerns were filmed. Knowledgeable historians lead you through famous locations where notable actors such as Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Sam Elliott, Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sharon Stone filmed iconic scenes. Historical Film Tours for children (17 & under) are FREE.
Tours are only available between film and renovations projects. Please check their online tour schedule before planning your visit.
Mescal Movie Set
1538 N Mescal Rd, Benson AZ 85602
www.MescalMovieSet.com
520-255-6662
17 Minutes from Downtown Benson
San Pedro Golf Course
18 Hole Champion Course
Benson is a small town with a great golf course! The public course, owned and operated by the City of Benson, provides great golf for all experience levels at an affordable price. A true links style front nine winds through mesquite groves along the San Pedro River while the back nine plays through canyons, giving the course a unique “river-wilderness” terrain. The golf course stretches out 7,187 yards from the championship tees. San Pedro provides five different sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels.
San Pedro Golf Course
926 North Madison Ave, Benson, AZ 85602
www.sanpedrogolf.com
520-586-78886
Minutes from Downtown Benson
Benson Historical Murals
Murals Showcase the History of Benson
Take the Benson Mural Tour! Wander through town and enjoy 42 creative murals that decorate local businesses. Learn about the city of Benson, a little of its history, and what makes it a nice place to visit and live. The murals focus on historical items of interest for the city of Benson and Cochise County. They publicize the rich and diverse history of our area and showcase our diverse desert flora and fauna. The Murals are located throughout downtown Benson. Guide books are available at local retailers and the Benson Visitor Center and also at www.bensonvisitorcenter.com/murals/. For additional information visit www.bensonazmurals.org
Benson Historical Museum
Discover the Amazing History of Benson & the Surrounding Area
A stroll through this museum is a walk back in time from Benson’s early days as the railroad hub of southern Arizona. The museum is small but packed with history and artifacts that are original to the town and area. Exhibits are both indoors and outdoors and include displays of early merchants, businesses, and characters from the 1880’s into the 20th century. A great example of a small town preserving it’s western frontier history. Visitor days and hours are seasonal. Please check their online tour schedule before planning your visit.
Benson Historical Museum
180 S San Pedro St, Benson, AZ 85602
www.BensonHistoricalMuseum.org
520-221-6038
Located throughout downtown Benson
Butterfield RV Resort & Observatory
Observe the Wonders of the Desert Night Sky!
This is an out of this world experience not to be missed! Our resident astronomers will entertain you with a fun and exciting experience, passing on a bit of knowledge laced with humor, culminating in a lifetime viewing experience. The Observatory at Butterfield RV Resort features a Meade LX-200 GPS 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. This university-quality installation is housed in a 15’ diameter electrically operated dome.
Phone reservations required. Please call 520-586-4400 before 3:00 PM to make a reservation.
Butterfield RV Resort & Observatory
251 S. Ocotillo Avenue, Benson, AZ 85602
www.rv-resort.com/observatory
520-586-4400
3 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary
Meet the Donkeys & Burros Who Found Their Forever Home
Everyone loves these charismatic loveable characters! Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary’s mission is to help donkeys in need of rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing. They provide a sanctuary for those who have run out of options. Visitors will meet and learn the background stories of these fortunate, charismatic and unforgettable characters. Free tours by appointment only. Donations are appreciated. Call to make a reservation and get detailed driving directions.
Forever Home Donkey Rescue
360 E. Rocksprings Rd. Benson, AZ 85602
www.foreverhomedonkeyrescue.com
520-212-0100
23 Minutes from Downtown Benson
The Oasis Sanctuary
Dedicated to the Rescue and Life Time Sanctuary Care of Parrots
An astounding place for rescued parrots! Established in 1997, The Oasis Sanctuary is a unique avian rescue and life-care facility dedicated to providing permanent care, shelter, and rehabilitation for companion parrots for whom other rehoming options do not exist. The Oasis is often all that stands between life and death for these beautiful, sentient, and endangered companion birds. If you are interested in visiting
Visitors are welcome by appointment only. There is a suggested minimum donation of $10 per person.
The Oasis Sanctuary
5411 N Teran Rd, Benson, AZ 85602
Located In Cascabel, AZ
www.the-oasis.org
520-212-4737
40 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Holy Trinity Monastery Center
Unique Relaxing Oasis for Spiritual Renewal
Relax and enjoy this shady and peaceful oasis. Holy Trinity Monastery Center provides a place for spiritual renewal which has been Holy Trinity’s Mission for the past 49 years. Their 132 acres outside St. David, Arizona includes a 1.3 mile bird sanctuary trail along the San Pedro River. The gift store sells pecans grown and processed on the property, as well as local honey. The Center hosts group and private retreats, and offers facilities for classes, workshops, conferences and weddings. Also on the property are an auditorium, an adobe chapel, RV Park, a library, gift shop, and a number of artesian-fed ponds.
Holy Trinity Monastery Center
417 E St Isadores Way, St David, AZ 85630
www.holytrinitymonasterycenter.com
520-720-4016
16 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Amerind Museum
Museum of Native American Art, History, Culture, and Archaeology
Experience a world-class Native American museum. It’s not only a museum it also an art gallery and research center dedicated to archaeology, Native cultures, and Western art. Nestled in spectacular Texas Canyon the Amerind’s 1600-acre campus is located in the ancestral homeland of the Chiricahua Apache. Bring a lunch and enjoy the scenic picnic area. Outdoor enthusiasts and bird watchers will enjoy the Bird Pond and with spectacular views of Texas Canyon.
Open year-round Tuesday-Sunday,
10 am–4 pm; closed Monday & major holidays.
Amerind Museum
2100 N Amerind Rd, Dragoon, AZ 85609
www.amerind.org
520-586-3666
19 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Bowlin’s – The Thing?
What is The Thing? Come and see for yourself!
“The Thing” is the mysterious star exhibit of a museum located in beautiful & remote Texas Canyon. The Thing was built as a tourist stop and museum around the strange exhibit and other collected items. The old museum was reminiscent of a circus sideshow and was set up in a series of three consecutive metal buildings open to the elements. The renovated attraction now offers a large gift shop, Dairy Queen restaurant, and Shell Gas Station.
Bowlins – The Thing?
2631 N. Johnson Road, Benson, AZ 85602
www.bowlinsthething.com/
520-586-2581
20 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Double R Guest Ranch
Horseback Riding & Guest Ranch
Enjoy the cowboy experience! Double R Ranch offers exceptional horseback riding in the mountainous rugged Arizona terrain surrounding the ranch. Trail rides are available for the experienced rider and if it’s your first time in the saddle. All inclusive guest accommodations are available including horseback riding, and all other ranch activities, such as roping, target shooting, archery, horse shoe pitching, team penning and barrel racing.
Visit their website for rates and rides.
Double R Guest Ranch
440 W. Cimarron Lane, Benson, AZ 85602
www.doublerguestranch.com
520-212-6943
16 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Triangle T Guest Ranch
Horseback Riding & Guest Ranch
Experience a dude ranch that is often used for filming Westerns. The Triangle T Historic Ranch offers over 160 acres of spectacular scenery for your trail riding pleasure. Trail rides vary from rolling hills to rugged terrain challenging to even experienced riders. The Guest Casitas are tastefully furnished for your comfort and relaxation. The ranch can accommodate your individual needs for a weekend getaway, overnight stay, a week inclusive vacation, or event. Visit their website for rates and rides.
Triangle T Historic Ranch
4190 E Dragoon Rd, Dragoon, AZ 85609
www.azretreatcenter.com
520-586-7533
18 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Historical Locations Just Down the Road
Stay overnight in Benson and you’ll be centrally located to visit other historical locations!
Tombstone
OK Corral, Birdcage Theater, gunfight reenactments, mine tours, and more
www.discovertombstone.com
30 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Willcox
Rex Allen & Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum, Chiricahua Nat’l Monument, wineries, Willcox Playa and more
www.visitwillcox.az.gov
36 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Sonoita
Empire Ranch State Park, spectacular prairie grasslands, wineries and more
www.sonoitaaz.com
42 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Tucson
Saguaro Nat’l Parks, San Xavier Mission, Old Tucson, Tucson Wagon & History Museum and more
www.visittucson.com
49 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Sierra Vista
Ft Huachuca, Ramsey Canyon, Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine, incredible birdwatching & hiking and more
www.visit.sierravistaaz.gov
52 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Bisbee
Copper Queen Historic Motel, mine tours, Warren Baseball Field, artisan shops and more
www.discoverbisbee.com
56 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Patagonia
Patagonia Lake park, historic train depot, birdwatching, hiking and more
www.patagonia-az.gov/come-and-visit-us
57 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Safford
Roper State park, rock hounding, Mt Graham, bird watching and more
www.cityofsafford.us/9/Visitors
78 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Douglas
Historic Gadsden Motel, John Slaughter Ranch, cultural restaurants, border attractions and more
www.douglasaz.gov/148/Visitor
80 Minutes from Downtown Benson
Nogales
Pimeria Alta Historical Museum, cultural restaurants, birdwatching, hiking, border attractions and more
www.visitnogalesaz.com
81 Minutes from Downtown Benson