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Lit limestone formations along the paved trail in the Big Room at Carlsbad Caverns
Big Room NPS / Anthony Mazzucco · Commons

Southeastern New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

An underground wonder. A day worth planning.

NPS / Anthony Mazzucco · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Your day underground

Reserve an entry time, choose your cave walk, and leave room for the park above ground.

Carlsbad Caverns

Plan your visit

Timed entry
Reserve ahead
Park entrance
Separate pass
Nearest city
Carlsbad
Reserve timed entry Recreation.gov Current park conditions

Plan your visit

Plan ahead

Reserve your entry time

A $1 timed-entry reservation is separate from the park entrance pass. Book through Recreation.gov, then check current park hours before traveling.

Make it a morning commitment

Plan around your entry slot and leave time for the walk back. The cave cannot be started late in the afternoon.

Confirm current hours
  1. 9:30 amCave entry opens
  2. 2:30 pmLast cave entry
  3. 4:45 pmLast elevator out

Choose your cave walk

Underground
Illuminated stalagmites and hanging limestone formations in the Big Room
Big Room NPS / Anthony Mazzucco · Commons

Big Room

1.25 miles · About 90 minutes

A mostly level loop through the cavern’s largest chamber.

Visitors following the paved switchbacks into the Natural Entrance of Carlsbad Cavern
Natural Entrance NPS / Eymard Bangcoro · Commons

Natural Entrance

1.25 miles · 750-foot descent

A steep descent into the cavern. Allow about an hour.

Choosing your routeConfirm accessibility and elevator status before a mobility-dependent visit.

Elevators & accessibility

The elevator avoids the steep Natural Entrance descent. Confirm its status before traveling if your visit depends on it.

Check accessibility & elevator status

Ranger-guided tours

Tour availability changes. Check current National Park Service tour status before planning a guided visit.

Check tour availability

Stay for the bat flight

Wildlife
Bats flying out of the Natural Entrance, photographed from inside the stone cave arch
Bat flight at the Natural Entrance NPS / Peter Jones · Commons

The free seasonal evening program takes place at the Natural Entrance amphitheater. Start times change with sunset; check the park’s schedule.

Seasonal · Free · No reservation needed

Electronic devices, including phones and cameras, are not allowed during the program.

Bat Flight Program details

Explore above ground

Outdoors
Picnic tables under the shade of mature trees at Rattlesnake Springs
Rattlesnake Springs NPS / Michael Laron · Commons

Rattlesnake Springs

A shaded stop for a picnic and birdwatching after your cave visit.

Walnut Canyon Desert Drive

Closed for flood damage at the latest check. Check road conditions before adding the gravel loop to your day.

Surface stops & road conditions

Getting to the visitor center

Plan ahead

Turn from US-62/180 at Whites City and follow the seven-mile entrance road. Carlsbad is the nearest city for an overnight base.

Open directions

Questions before you go

Do I need a reservation for Carlsbad Caverns?

Yes. Timed entry and the park entrance pass are separate. Reserve a $1 entry time through Recreation.gov; pass holders and children still need reservations. Standard cave admission is $15 for visitors age 16 and up.

How cold is Carlsbad Caverns?

The cave stays around 56°F (13°C) and is humid year-round. Bring a light jacket or another layer, even when it is hot outside.

When are bats at Carlsbad Caverns?

Brazilian free-tailed bats are generally present from April through October. The free evening program takes place at the Natural Entrance amphitheater. Check the park's current start time; weather can affect the program.

Should I use the elevator or the Natural Entrance?

The elevator avoids the Natural Entrance's steep 750-foot descent. Part of the Big Room is wheelchair accessible with assistance. Confirm elevator operation and ask a ranger about your route before a visit that depends on accessible entry.

How many days do you need?

One day can include the main cave visit, a surface break and the seasonal bat flight. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours if you walk both self-guided routes, and fit your plans around current cave-entry and exit hours.

What makes Carlsbad Caverns special?

The vast Big Room, sculpted limestone formations, steep Natural Entrance and seasonal bat colony make very different experiences possible in the same park.

What city is closest to the park?

Carlsbad is the nearest city for an overnight base. The park turnoff at the smaller settlement of Whites City is about 20 miles southwest of Carlsbad; the entrance road continues seven miles to the visitor center.

More guides

Sources & photo credits

Official visitor information: Fees & timed entry, Opening hours, Cave walks, Park FAQs & accessibility, Ranger tour status, Bat Flight Program, Current conditions, Directions, Cave safety, Recreation.gov.

Photography via Wikimedia Commons. Images resized and cropped for layout; individual credits and reuse licenses are listed below.

View image sources & credits
  • Big Room, by NPS / Anthony Mazzucco, Public domain, resized and re-encoded as WebP, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Big Room, by NPS / Anthony Mazzucco, Public domain, resized and re-encoded as WebP, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Natural Entrance, by NPS / Eymard Bangcoro, Public domain, resized and re-encoded as WebP, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Bat flight at the Natural Entrance, by NPS / Peter Jones, Public domain, resized and re-encoded as WebP, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Rattlesnake Springs, by NPS / Michael Laron, Public domain, resized and re-encoded as WebP, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • White Sands National Park, by dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0, resized and re-encoded as WebP, via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0 reuse terms.

Park details checked . Confirm current conditions before traveling.