Carlsbad Caverns has one of the most extensive system of caves found anywhere
in the world. There are many ways to enjoy this natural wonder of the world
-- two cave tours of interest are:
- Natural Entrance Tour - Walk down into the cave through the natural
entrance. The trail is somewhat steep and strenuous reaching 830 feet below
the surface. Your tour will be complete with a trip through the Big Room.
Allow approximately 3 hours for this 3 mile tour. Exit via elevator.
- Elevator Tour - Descend down into the cave via high-speed elevators
to a point 750 ft. below the surface where you will tour the spectacular
Big Room. The Big Room is the largest room in the cavern with a floor of
14 acres and a ceiling over 200 ft. high. Allow approximately 1 1/2 hour
for this 1 1/4 mile tour. Exit via elevator.
Both tours are continuous and self-guided; rangers are positioned throughout
the cave to assist you. Hand held radio receivers, available for $.50, provide
information about the cavern while walking through it. Optional guided tours
are available.
Cavern temperature is a cool 56 degrees so a jacket or sweater is recommended.
Photography is permitted; baby strollers are not allowed.
Lunches can be purchased in the unique Underground Lunchroom 750 ft. below
the surface, or at the full service restaurant on the surface. Pet kennel
service is available: ($3.50/pet) for duration of the cavern trip.
In addition to cave tours there are many other interesting options available
to visitors of Carlsbad Caverns. Here are just a few:
- Bat Flight - This spectacle is one of the park's greatest attractions
as tens of thousands of bats fly out through the natural entrance of the
cavern each evening at sunset. The bats sleep in the cavern during the day
and fly out each night to feed on insects. Ranger programs nightly starting
approximately 30 minutes prior to dusk. Contact the Park for specific times.
FREE. Mid-May through October only.
- Slaughter Canyon Cave - For the adventurous explorer, this cave
offers a more rugged experience than the trip through the main cavern and
is similar to spelunking trips cavers regularly undertake. The cave is undeveloped
and contains formations not found in the main cavern. A 1/2 mile hike up
the mountain with an elevation rise of 500 ft. is required to reach the
entrance. Trips are offered daily during the summer and on weekends only
during the winter. Children under 6 not permitted. Call the park for reservations
and current fees.
- Walnut Canyon Desert Drive - A beautiful scenic tour through
the Chihuahuan desert world surrounding Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
The 9.5 mile tour takes the motorist along the Guadalupe Ridge, then dips
into upper Walnut Canyon for the return. An information guidebook for this
self-guided tour is available at the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center.
- Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area - Located near the Black River,
a water source used for hundreds of years by the Indians. Picnic tables,
grills, water, restrooms and shade trees are available.
Hiking, Camping, and Wild Caving - More than 50 miles of trails provide
access to 46,775 acres of scenic desert, canyons and mountain wilderness
of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. A guide to the back country trails
is available at the Visitor Center. Topo maps are recommended. Free back
country permits are required for overnight use. Wild caving is allowed by
special permit only with 10 of the park's 80 undeveloped caves available
for this activity. Contact the Cave Resource Office at 505-785-2104 for
more information.