About Benson, Arizona
Benson sits at an elevation of 3,585 feet above sea level, in the San Pedro Valley, 45 miles southeast of Tucson and 30 miles north of Sierra Vista. Located on Interstate 10, Benson is the gateway to Cochise County, and is also the home of the Kartchner Caverns State Park on Highway 90, in the Whetstone Mountains. The caverns are amazing living and growing wet caves that are constantly monitored to protect their existence. The park also provides camping facilities, hiking trails, a visitor center, and a bird sanctuary.
Benson was founded in 1880, and became a stopping point for the Butterfield Overland Stage mail delivery route. The Southern Pacific Railroad then came into town, serving the area until 1997, when it was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. 

This area also offers another day trip to the Cochise Stronghold. Located in the nearby Coronado National Forest, people can see what it was like when the infamous Apache Chief Cochise hid from the US Cavalry in this rocky fortress.

Weather and Climate    

Distance and Driving Directions
Located off of Interstate 10 and Historic Highway 80, Benson is located between Tucson and Willcox, and is north of Sierra Vista.
From Tucson, AZ: Benson is a 35 minute drive from Tucson, heading east on I-10.
From Willcox, AZ: Benson is about 35 minutes from Willcox, heading west on I-10.
From Sierra Vista, AZ: Benson is about 30 miles from Sierra Vista, heading north on Hwy. 90.

Visitor, Relocation & Community Information   
Benson Visitor Center: 249 E. 4th Street, Benson, AZ. Tel: (520) 586-4293
Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce Office: Tel: (520) 586-2842