If you ever read the Jules Verne classic, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", you’ll know that the start of the crew’s journey began by trekking through a volcano and its adjacent tubes. Would you like to make a similar trek but on a more local level? There are many caves in Arizona as well as caverns to visit, and other cave-like environments.

However, only a tiny fraction of those are open to the public since many are too fragile to endure inexperienced spelunkers stomping through their delicate, unique ecosystems. While we can’t guarantee that you’ll encounter any of the strange flora and fauna that the novel’s team did, there are still plenty of breathtaking sights to set your eyes on in each of these Arizona caves.

1. Cave of the Bells

Situated in Coronado National Forest in Sawmill Canyon, this cave makes for a nice spelunking adventure. The interior of the cave is, surprisingly, on the warm side and a permanent lake can also be found a short distance from the entrance. However, because the cave has an extremely delicate environment, access to the cave is granted only through the Forest Supervisor’s office. Leave a $100 deposit, get keys to access the cave, then return the keys after your adventure to get your deposit back. You can learn more about how to visit the Cave of the Bells. It's important to note availability each week to access the cave is limited, so you'll want to reserve well in advance of your trip.

These crystal formations are delicate to the touch.

Some strange little life growing inside the cave.

2. Colossal Cave

One of the more popular Arizona caves, Colossal Cave is located about 22 miles southeast of Tucson and is popular for its mapped passageways and guided tours. You also don’t have to worry about treading too lightly here because the formations in the cave are dry or no longer growing. As a side note, the cave is also a popular location for bats so try to avoid getting guano on yourself. Learn more about Colossal Cave.

A look above your head is just as spectacular as that ahead of you.

3. Coronado Cave

Found near the Arizona-Mexico border, spelunkers debate about the actual size of the cave; some claim it is large with many rooms while others state that the cave is on the smaller side. Find more information about Coronado Cave.

4. Grand Canyon Caverns

This cave was a recent discovery and was opened to the public in 1999. Located a short 9 miles from Benson, Kartchner Caverns features stunning rooms and much unique fauna that thrive in the cavern. You may also want to know that the cavern is closed during the summer months when bats roost inside. Learn more by visiting the Kartchner Caverns website.

5. Kartchner Caverns

This cave was a recent discovery and was opened to the public in 1999. Located a short 9 miles from Benson, Kartchner Caverns features stunning rooms and much unique fauna that thrive in the cavern. You may also want to know that the cavern is closed during the summer months when bats roost inside. Learn more by visiting the Kartchner Caverns website.

It looks dark and spooky here.

6. Lava River Cave

The name of this cave near Flagstaff comes from its creation: about 700,000 years ago, lava flowed through here from a volcanic vent, creating an underground tube. It also makes for a great escape from the heat since the summer temperatures in the cave average 40 degrees and you can occasionally even see ice. Find out more about the Lava River Cave.

7. Peppersauce Cave

Okay, let’s be real here. This looks an awful lot like the little cave R2D2 attempted to hide from the Jawas in, in the edited version of A New Hope. Anyway, located south of Oracle, Peppersauce Cave is a nice hidden treasure. You won’t find guided tours here and the only sign that leads to the cave is not visible from the main road. A passage leads one mile into the cave where you can come across several "rooms." Discover more at the Peppersauce Cave Facebook page.

While there are over 2,400 verified caves and caverns in Arizona, there is only a handful that is open to the public. These otherworldly cave tours in Arizona are a fascinating look at what mysteries are waiting just below our feet. What are your favorite caves in Arizona to visit?

Did you know there are neat geological formations on the surface, too? Check out this unique geological formation in Arizona for more interesting views of our natural world.