Benson is located in the scenic and
historic San Pedro Valley of southeastern Arizona. We are 45
miles southeast of Tucson just off of I-10, AZ Hwy 90 and US
Hwy 80.
The Southern Pacific Railroad completed in the 1880's,
established Benson as a transportation hub of the area and Benson
incorporated in 1924. In the early 1900's, the community grew
along with the demand for copper and silver. Metals mined in the San
Pedro Valley were shipped to Benson for smelting and distribution by
railway. The Southern Pacific Railroad main line runs through Benson
offering AMTRAK drop-off and pickup. Even now, the close proximity
of the railway, the interstate, and state highways remains an
advantage for businesses and tourism.
Benson is centrally
located and has some of the most important visitor attractions
within a short drive. Cultural and historic sites, national and
state parks, ghost towns and mining history, and birding and
wildlife preserves. Some of the nearby scenic and historic sites
include Tombstone, Bisbee, Cochise Stronghold, Chiricahua National
Monument, Ft. Bowie and Kartchner Caverns and these are just of few
of the many things to do and see in our area.
The moderate climate of
the Benson area makes us a great relocation and retirement
community. The mid desert elevation of 3,580 feet, makes it much
cooler than the low desert communities of Tucson and Phoenix
but warmer than some of the high desert communities.
The public school
system consists of two elementary schools and a high school. There
are two private schools, a library, a new 18-hole tournament class golf
course and a nine-hole course, senior citizens center,
museum/gallery, hospital, and numerous restaurants, hotels/motels. A
variety of shopping is available from groceries, clothing and gifts
to feed stores. You will find all that you need in Benson
without going to the larger cities.
Attractions Benson
Calendar of Events Attractions
By Area
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Attractions
The
Amerind Foundation - Located 12 miles east of
Benson in Texas Canyon. Take exit 318 and go south towards Dragoon,
follow the signs. It will be on the north side of the road. These
unique center has Indian artifacts from archaeological digs,
paintings, and antique furnishings. For more information call
520-586-3666.
Benson Historic
Walking Tour - Pick up a brochure on the Historic Walking
Tour at the Benson Tourist Center located in the Railroad
Depot. This walk through Benson's past will tell you about the
town's architecture, inhabitants and cultures.
Cochise
Stronghold - Located within the Coronado National Forest
this unique rock "fortress" was one of the favorites of
the Chiricahua Apache Indians. There is camping, picnic
grounds and hiking trails. Somewhere within this fortress the Apache
chief Cochise is buried, however the location was known only to a
select few so he rests in peace here. Located off Hwy 191 South and
Ironwood, go east about 10 miles.
Ghost
Town Trail -
This unique "trail" starts in Pearce, Arizona and goes
through Gleeson and Courtland ending up in Tombstone. Located off of
Hwy 191 South past Sunsites.
Holy
Trinity Monastery - Located 9 miles south of Benson and
2 miles south of St. David on Hwy 80. Book store, Gift shop,
Library, Oriental garden, Museum, Art Gallery, Bird Sanctuary and
Thrift Shop. Holds seasonal festivals that attract hundreds of
visitors. For more information call 520-720-4642.
Kartchner
Caverns State Park - Located on Hwy 90 in the Whetstone
Mountains these unique caverns are the most pristine in the United
States. The second "room" is about to opened to the
public. These are living, growing wet caves, the moisture levels are
closely monitored to make sure that they are not destroyed, and you
do need to call ahead for reservations as a limited number of people
are allowed in to the caves daily. There are camping facilities,
hiking trails, bird sanctuary, visitors center, interprative
displays and a gift shop. For more information and
reservations call 520-586-2283. For general info:
520-586-4100.
San Pedro Riparian
National Conservation Area (NCA) extends from St. David,
Arizona to Naco, Mexico. The San Pedro House is located off of Hwy
90 between Sierra Vista and Bisbee. On the 40 miles of the
upper San Pedro River the conservation area has over 50,000 acres
with quantities of wildlife and vegetation, including over 350
species of birds. Over 250 recorded prehistoric and historic sites,
the area offers birdwatching, wildlife viewing, photography, hiking,
camping, seasonal hunting, horseback riding, nature studies and
environmental education. For more information please call
Fairbanks BLM Headquarters at 520-586-3467
San Pedro Valley
Arts & Historical Society is located in Benson on the
corner of 5th St./San Pedro St. The Art Gallery and Historical
Museum with changing displays and exhibits, is one of the area's
cultural centers. Originally the building was a grocery store, and
is now on the National Register for Historic Buildings.
Texas Canyon is located 14 miles east of Benson on I-10. This area is covered in
huge rock formations, with rocks balancing on other rocks, odd
shapes and sizes. This just one of the areas with unique rock
formations in our area and is located in the "saddle"
between the San Pedro Valley and the Sulphur Springs Valley.
Views into both valleys are quite spectacular and can be enjoyed by
stopping at the rest stop in the middle of the Canyon.
Vega-Bray
Observatory is
located on a hill overlooking the beautiful San Pedro River valley
near Benson. The observatory has eight major telescopes from 6 to 20
inches in diameter. There is a planetarium, science classroom and
museum. For more info call 520-745-2390.
Benson/St.
David
Benson
Historical Walking Tour
Holy Trinity Monistary
Kartchner Caverns State Park
San Pedro Valley Art and Historical Museum
Vega-Bray Observatory
Dragoon/Pearce/Sunsites
Amerind Foundation
Cochise Stronghold
Ghost Town Trail - starts in Pearce
Texas Canyon
Tombstone
Boot Hill Cemetery
Historical City - home of the infamous OK corral, the Earp Brothers
and Doc Holliday
The Bird Cage Theatre
Tombstone Rose - The largest rose bush in the world
Shoot outs, stagecoach rides, museums and more.
Sierra
Vista/Ft.Huachuca
Coronado National Forest - Located next to the Mexico border
this area is part of the trail that Coronado used in his
explorations. Visitors Center, camping and picnics.
Fort Huachuca Historical Museum and Military Reservation
San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area
Ramsey Canyon Bird Sanctuary - several species of hummingbirds,
golden eagles, and numerous other birds and wildlife inhabit this
pristine area owned by the Nature Conservancy. Located in a canyon
in the Huachuca Mountains.
Cochise/Dos
Cabezas/Willcox
Chiricahua National Monument/Wonderland of Rocks
Cochise Hotel
Dos Cabezas - Ghost town
Fort Bowie
Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum
Bisbee
Copper Queen Hotel
Tour of the Historical Bisbee District
Lavender Pit - open pit copper mine
Museums
Queen Mine Tour - tour the old underground section of a copper mine.
Shopping - Arts & Crafts
Tucson/Green
Valley
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - This is a one of a kind museum.
Located in the Saguaro National Monument West.
Colossal Cave - This is a "dead" cave unlike Kartchner
Caverns.
Ft. Lowell - remains of old adobe fort and museum
Old Tucson Movie Studio
Pima Air Museum - a great display of airplanes and associated
memorabilia!
Saguaro National Monument East & West
San Xavier Mission
Titan Missile Museum
Tubac Mission
Mexico
Agua Prieta - 74 miles from Benson, is across the border from
Douglas. Good shopping.
Naco is 56 miles from Benson, is a border crossing. No shopping.
Nogales - 73 miles from Benson, is across the border from Nogales,
AZ. Good shopping and within a couple hours drive you can reach
Rocky Point and the Sea of Cortez.
Benson/San
Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce
249 E. 4th Street
PO Box 2255
Benson, AZ 85602
Telephone: 520-586-2842 or 520-586-1920
Fax: 520-586-1972
email: info@bensonchamberaz.com
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