carlsbad caverns tour times

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Last updated: February 24, 2024

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3225 National Parks Highway Carlsbad, NM 88220

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How long does it take to tour Carlsbad Caverns?

by Dan Miller | Feb 13, 2017 | all , family travel | 7 comments

I know that I am a “fast” traveler – meaning that generally I prefer to see a lot of things for a short period of time instead of spending a lot of time on any one thing.  But I also didn’t want to just blow off a world heritage site !

Where is Carlsbad Caverns New Mexico?

Carlsbad Caverns is located right off of US 62/180 about 10 miles southwest of the town of Carlsbad, New Mexico.  It’s about a 2 hour drive northeast of El Paso, Texas

Carlsbad Caverns tour hours, times and cost

Carlsbad Caverns is open all year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  They have 2 different seasons – the “main” season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and the “off” season between Labor Day and Memorial Day.  The Carlsbad Caverns tour hours are listed on the official NPS park website .  During the off season, the last time to walk into the cave is 2:30 p.m. and the last elevator down is 5pm.  In summer, the Carlsbad Caverns tour hours are 3:30 for the last walk in and 5 p.m. for the last elevator down.  Note that there are not scheduled elevator times – so you don’t have to worry about being there on the hour or on the half hour

Carlsbad Caverns tour cost is $10 for adults, and children under 16 are free.  Also this isn’t one of those “fake” parks where it’s free to enter the park but they charge other fairly mandatory fees for parking or other things.  So if you have a National Parks pass or Every Kid in a Park pass or something like that, the Carlsbad Caverns tour cost will be free.  You can also pay extra for ranger led or other Carlsbad Caverns guided tours

Remember that these Carlsbad Caverns hours of operation are in the MOUNTAIN time zone, like the rest of New Mexico (and El Paso, TX).

How long does it take to tour Carlsbad Caverns – our report

Here was our report on how long does it take to tour Carlsbad Caverns.  We got there about 2 p.m. on a February day (so the off season) and got our passes ($10 for me and free for my under 16 son).  We had the option to hike down (it supposedly takes another hour) or just take the elevator – we opted for the elevator down.  The Carlsbad Caverns elevator goes 750 feet below the surface in about a minute.

Is a half day enough to tour Carlsbad Caverns?

In my opinion a half day is more than enough to tour Carlsbad Caverns.  Unless you’re a serious hiker or VERY interested in caves / geology, you’ll be through in 2-3 hours.

We took the elevator down and took the self-guided Carlsbad Caverns tour through the Big Room.  We stopped and read every informational side, took tons of pictures and were back to the surface in about 75 minutes.  If you wanted, you can hike down, but I’d imagine you’re seeing more of the same kind of thing.  I don’t want to downplay the beauty of nature (it WAS truly majestic and awe-inspiring down there) but there’s definitely a little bit of when you see one stalactite, you’ve seen them all :-). If you do plan on doing a Carlsbad Caverns tour in half a day, I’d recommend going in the afternoon so that you can see the bat flight around sunset (they are not there in the winter and weren’t there in February when we were there)

Unless you’re doing a Carlsbad Caverns guided tour, the Big Room self guided tour (and the optional hike down / up) are the only areas that are open to the public.

Have you been to Carlsbad Caverns National Park?  How long would you say it takes to tour Carlsbad Caverns?

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More from points with a crew.

There are several tours available for extra cost. I embarked on one where you and a few other people go into a part of Carlsbad Caverns through some tight spaces — and then sit for a few moments in complete darkness and silence. I forgot the name of the tour at the moment; but it was simply amazing.

That tour cost $20.00 extra some years ago — but it was well worth it.

Thanks Brian!

The hike down is worth it. Ealing down into the cavern from above and slowly leaving the natural light behind is a pretty awesome experience.

Yeah if I had realized that the Big Room tour would only be a little more than an hour, I think I would have hiked down and taken the elevator back up. Of course, I wouldn’t have enjoyed getting into our hotel (in Abilene!) an extra hour later (we got in at about 12:30 a.m. as it was)!

Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective. Planning a trip that mirrors your itin…..we are starting from Lubbock & only have 1/2 day (afternoon) at Carlsbad Caverns—tight schedule so we can journey on to White Sands next day.

Awesome! I’ve got a post coming up on how to rent sleds at White Sands

Is there a dog care facility available while I tour the caverns?

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Visitors are able to make Self-Guided Tour reservations at a cost of $1.00 per person. 

****In addition to the reservation, the park charges an entrance fee payable upon arrival. The park honors Interagency Passes (Senior, Access, 4th Grade, etc.). Please visit Carlsbad Caverns Fees & Passes page for details .****  

****Masks are optional at this time.**** Masks are based on Community Health Level based on the CDC guidance for Eddy County, New Mexico. 

Tucked beneath the scenic and rugged Chihuahuan Desert, in the rocky slopes and deep canyons of Guadalupe Mountain range you will find Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Come explore the largest chambered cavern in North America.    

The Guadalupe Mountains are an uplifted portion of ancient reef, which thrived along the edge of an inland sea more than 250 million years ago. Preserved in the rocks are the ancient bodies of sponges, algae, snails, nautilus and more. This fossil reef formed the caves beneath the surface. Over time, sulfuric acid dissolved into surrounding limestone, creating stunning rock formations jutting down from the cave ceilings. More than 300,000 visitors travel to Carlsbad Caverns each year for a rare glimpse of the underground worlds preserved beneath the desert.  

Visitors may choose to hike the steep one and a quarter mile paved trail entering through the cave's Natural Entrance, which leads them into the spectacular one and a quarter mile Big Room trail. Or, you can simply take an elevator ride from the Visitor Center directly to the Big Room trail. 

Visitors are encouraged to review the tour details , which may include age or other restrictions, before making a reservation. 

Summary of Fees - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours  

Notifications and Alerts

There are no Lower Cave Tours on April 22 and April 26, 2024.  

Need to Know

THE RESERVATION FEE DOES NOT COVER THE PARK ENTRANCE FEE.

• The $1.00 reservation fee is an administrative charge to book a reservation. It is separate from the park entrance fee.
• This reservation holds a time for you to to begin the self-paced, self-guided cavern tour.
• Entrance fees into the cave must be paid inside the visitor center upon arrival. Please visit Carlsbad Caverns Fees & Passes page for details.

PASS HOLDERS MUST ALSO BOOK A TICKET

• The park honors Interagency Passes (Golden Age, Senior, Annual, Interagency, Military, etc) for the entrance fee.
• Pass holders MUST also reserve a ticket. You will not be admitted without a reservation confirmation.
• Pass holders MUST reserve tickets for ALL members of the group eligible to use the pass.  

CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENT FOR ENTRY

• Please bring the reservation confirmation email to present at the ticket counter upon arrival.
• Cell phone coverage may not be available. Before you arrive, please have your confirmation email saved to your phone or printed out. 

NO WALK UP TICKETS

• The park does not offer walk up, first-come, first-served, stand-by or wait list tickets.

Mask are optional at this time. This is based on Community Health Level as determined by the CDC for Eddy County, New Mexico. This Community Health Level may change at anytime.

Reserved Tickets. Please pick up tickets atleast 30-45 minutes prior to your scheduled time for Ranger guided tours. Late arrival may result in forfeiting your reserved tour. No refunds for late arrivals. No replacement tickets available for lost or misplaced tickets.

Reservations. Reservations are available 30 days in advance and up to 5:00 AM MT same day. 

Cave Tours . Most of the cave trail is self-guided; Natural Entrance and the Big Room. Ranger-led tours are additional areas that you can experience with a ranger. Visit the Carlsbad Cavern's park website to learn more. 

• NOTE: King's Palace Tours have restarted ! Each tour has a limit of 24 visitors per time slot, 12 spots are available by reservation for both the 10:00 and 11:30 AM MT time slots. Additional tours may be available; ask the Rangers when you get to the park. 
• The King's Palace and Left Hand Tunnel tours are year-round. Other tours may only be offered during the summer peak season. Keep checking back for when we restart Left Hand Tunnel tours. The Tour Schedule is available on the park website.  
• King's Palace Ranger guided tour prices: Adult: $8:00, Children (4-15 years old) $4:00, and Inter-agency Senior Lifetime and Senior Annual and Access Pass for passholder only: $4:00

The entry times are based on a 60-minute window beginning with the start time that you select. For example, if you select an 8:30am reservation time, you must enter the cave between 8:30am and 9:30am. Last entry for the day is 2:30pm. 

Last available Main Corridor (Natural Entrance Trail) hike out is at 2:30 pm.

Children 15 and under free to enter the cavern but must have a reservation as well. When booking your reservation, please ensure that you account for all adults AND children.

There are no refunds for Self-Guided Tour reservations (The cancellation fee of $1.00 per ticket is the same price as the reservation).

A large portion of The Big Room is accessible by wheelchair and entry is allowed only by elevators. Canes and crutches allowed only if needed for mobility. The park does not have any mobility chairs or devices available to use or rent.

Please visit our NPS webpage for more information.

Cave tours are not recommend for people with known heart or respiratory problems, back, knee, or walking issues of any kind, or for people with vertigo or claustrophobia issues. Determine your own physical ability!

You may experience long wait times to exit the cave by elevator. During Holiday weekends you may experience longer than normal wait times. See park website for additional alerts. 

Hiking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Sandals or flip-flops are NOT recommended for self-guided tours. (See specific requirements for each tour).

Do not wear or bring any items that have been in any other caves or mines. White-nose Syndrome is a disease affecting hibernating bats. Help stop the spread of this fungus.

Baby strollers are NOT allowed on the cave trails.

There is no age limit for the Self-Guided Tour.

Plain water only! Candy, tobacco (inc. vaping products) or gum are NOT permitted to be taken into cave. The historic Underground Lunchroom offers drinks, sandwiches and salads.

The average cave temperature is 56 degrees with 90% humidity year-round.

Hiking poles are NOT permitted in the cave.

Photography, including using a flash, is allowed in the cavern. Be courteous to other visitors. 

• Photography is not allowed during the Bat Flight Program.

Phone Numbers  

Reservations : To reserve tour tickets, select the "book now" button on this page or call toll free 1-877-444-6777.  

GENERAL PARK INFORMATION ONLY (NO RESERVATIONS)

• Park information, Monday through Sunday: (575) 785-2232.

Visitor Center Operational Hours.

• Visitor Center is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Mountain Time .   
• NOTE: The park is close to the Central Time zone. Cell phones have been known to bounce between Mountain and Central Times zones if they are set to automatically adjust for times.

Booking Windows

Tickets are available 30 days in advance and 5 AM the day of the tour date.

Changes and Cancellations

*****RESERVATION FEE IS NOT THE ENTRANCE FEE.*****

The $1.00 reservation fee is an administrative charge of this system. It is NOT the park entrance fee.

This reservation system only reserves the time slot for self-paced, self-guided cavern entry.

Entrance fees into the cave must be paid inside the visitor center upon arrival.  

$15 per adult general cave entry fee or a National Parks Pass for upto 4 adults.

Children 15 and under are free. 

King's Palace Ranger guided tour: Adult: $8:00, Children (4-15 years old) $4:00, and Inter-agency Senior Lifetime and Senior Annual and Access Pass for passholder only price: $4:00

PASS HOLDERS MUST STILL RESERVE AN ENTRY TIME

Pass holders (Golden Age/Senior, Annual, Access, Military, 4th Grade etc) MUST reserve an entry time on this system. You will not be admitted without a reservation confirmation.

NOTE: Pass holders MUST reserve an entry time for ALL members of their group eligible to use the pass.

No refunds for the Self-Guided Timed Entry Tour. See Facility Rates for fees.

Contact Information

Mailing address.

727 CARLSBAD CAVERNS HWY Carlsbad NM 88220

Phone Number

575-236-1309 (GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY - RESERVATION INFO IS NOT PROVIDED)

Available Tours and Tickets

• Kings Palace Reservation
• Lower Cave Tour Reservation
• Carlsbad Caverns Timed Entry Reservation

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Everything You Need to Know

When you visit Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, USA, you’re in for quite a treat. There are so many beautiful sights, that one of many fitting titles is “The Treasures of the Chihuahuan Desert”. It’s essential to be aware that experiencing the unique cave system at Carlsbad Caverns National Park will lessen your sense of astonishment and wonder for all future cave adventures. Among the world’s greatest natural wonders, this ranks high.

Experience a world of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, draperies, cave popcorn, and more on a hike through the depths of the earth. You’ll like how the interior terrain mimics a dry-land coral reef.

This detailed guide can find everything you need to know about Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Everything you need to know about the park’s reservation process (essential! ), guided tours, surrounding lodging, and day trips are here.

If (or when) you end up going, make sure you have plenty of time to soak it all in. There is no spot quite like this in on the planet, and you will want to make the most of it.

Directions to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Cavern Highway is the only route that leads directly to the park. You’ll need to drive to the park’s entrance and then get around on foot. Wheelchair access is present, but somewhat restricted.

All trips begin at the ticket office, where you can make reservations and purchase tickets. Individual tickets cost $15 unless you have an Interagency Annual Parks Pass.

You must schedule a time slot to access the park online in advance, regardless of whether you plan to purchase your ticket in advance or are a pass holder.

Trails are paved and well-lit, and temperatures are comfortable year-round. You might wish to bring a light jacket if you tend to get chilly. Just as you would want to carry a headlamp if you have problems seeing, others may find that doing so is helpful.

The Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Given that Carlsbad Caverns is mostly underground, you can plan to visit year-round. You’ll have an easier time getting a reservation and finding nearby lodging if you visit outside of the high season (the summer months, in particular).

A typical self-guided tour of the caverns takes guests only three to four hours to complete. While those interested in photography or geology might need a longer time, I think most tourists could see everything they wanted in five to six hours.

Plan your trip so that you can witness the nighttime bat flight if you happen to visit during the appropriate seasons.

It would help if you planned to spend at least one full day in Carlsbad Caverns and possibly another half day at either Living Desert State Park or Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area.

The Carlsbad Caverns Park Hours

Carlsbad Caverns has regular business hours, unlike many national parks that are accessible whenever they like. From 8 am to 5 pm, you can stop by the visitor center. Beginning at 8:30 am, you may start your walk inside the cave.

Tickets and Fees

Tickets for adults (those aged 16 and up) are $15 each.

Young ones (under 15) are admitted at no cost.

You can gain access for free if you have an America Beautiful Pass. However, if you want to go on a ranger-led program, you’ll have to shell out the extra cash.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Top Attractions

Although the caverns are the main attraction, Carlsbad Caverns offer several “above-ground” activities.

Exploring the Caverns

There are two ways you can explore the caves. You can take a ranger-led tour or proceed at your speed on the self-guided paths.

If time is of the essence, join a ranger-led tour. However, since you’re reading about it here, we know you probably want a more extensive trip. To “go deeper” into the caves, gain a greater understanding of the area’s history and geology, and increase your opportunity for exploration and adventure, we recommend going at your own pace.

The Bat Flight Program

This highlights a visit to Carlsbad Caverns, although it is only available during certain months. Bats at Carlsbad Caverns are only around for part of the year because they are migratory. Midway through late April, you’ll first see the bats, and they’ll stay until late October. Seeing a sea of bats fly overhead is quite a sight to behold.

Bat Flight airs on television from late May to the end of the season in October. Relax in the Bat Flight Amphitheater and watch as thousands of bats fly out of the cave through its natural opening.

There is no additional cost for this beyond what you pay to enter the park. Reservations are not required, but guests will be seated in the order they arrive. Depending on the conditions, this occurs just about every night. August and September are prime times for bat watching, because that’s when the young bats make their debut.

Dark Sky Program

Because of its isolation, Carlsbad Caverns is an excellent place to gaze up at the stars. A ranger-led evening walk is available on select dates between May and October. You can go on a Moon Walk or a Star Walk; if your timing is right, you may even see a meteor shower.

Hiking on One of the Surface Trails

There are several surface trails available for hikers. Despite my extensive preparation, we did not have time to go hiking during our stay. The Upper Rattlesnake Canyon to Guadalupe Ridge Loop stood out as the most intriguing route from my investigation. It is estimated that it would take four hours to complete the six miles of this hike.

The Walnut Canyon Desert Drive

This dirt road winds across the mountains of Carlsbad Caverns and is only accessible in one direction.

The scenic drive is about 9 miles long. However, one user shared that the drive is dull due to the monotony of the desert landscape. Thus, if you aren’t going to be hiking on one of the trails that begins on this loop, it may fall short of expectations.

Rattlesnake Springs

In the middle of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park desert, you’ll find an oasis known as Rattlesnake Springs.

Top Carlsbad Caverns Visitors Guides

Automated guided tours.

There are two excellent self-guided tours to choose from.

1) Natural Entrance Pathway

1.25-mile distance

Moderate in Difficulty

Time Required: Between 45 and 60 Minutes

The Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns is a highlight for many visitors. A well-kept asphalt path leads down to the Carlsbad Caverns entrance.

As you venture further into the tunnel, your eyes will become accustomed to the reduced brightness. The cavern shows its many rock formations and dripstones in stages. The Big Room Trail is the final stop along this path.

2) Big Room Trail

Difficulty: Simple; largely wheelchair accessible

Regarding volume, The Big Room is the largest cave chamber in the USA. The colossal size of this chamber and the surrounding cave formations and views are truly stunning.

Carlsbad Caverns Guided Tours

At the moment, you can pick from one of five different ranger-led tours. There are short, leisurely strolls and lengthier “hikes” that require tunnel crawling and light rock scrambling. There is a fee for each of these excursions.

King’s Palace Tour

It will take 1.5 hours.

Distance: 1 mile

Group Size (max): 40

The ranger-led trip is extremely popular. This 1.5-hour trip takes visitors further into Carlsbad Caverns, where they may see some of the park’s most impressive cave formations.

You may have visited many caves all around the world. Still, nothing compares to the incredible variety of stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations you will witness on this tour. If you want to see the best of Carlsbad Caverns without exerting too much effort, this tour is for you.

Left Tunnel Tour

Duration: 2 hours

Tour Size: 10

Explore Carlsbad Caverns the way the original tourists did with a candle-lit lantern. This small-group tour is a great option compared to the other excursions on this list, which tend to be larger.

Time required: 3 hours.

The price for a tour with a group of 12: is $20.

This expedition is for the more daring traveler. Wear your protective gear, and continue your exploration of Carlsbad Caverns. Stunning cave formations await you at the bottom of the 60-foot descent.

White Giant’s Hall

Duration: 4 hours

Tour Size: 8

Explore the area by crawling through small openings, descending ladders, negotiating slippery surfaces, and even free climbing. If you’re up for a bit of mud and muck, this tour could be right up your alley.

Slaughter Canyon Cave

It takes 5.5 hours to complete

The tour’s maximum number is 16.

Among these trips, this one has the longest duration. During this outing, you will traverse dark, underground tunnels to reach your destination. It’s okay because you’ll have access to flashlights and headlights to help you navigate. This is one of the ecstatic experiences in Carlsbad Caverns, but the terrain is rugged, with slick, uneven surfaces and low lighting.

Top Attractions Near Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Since you’ll probably need a day to explore the caverns, you might seek additional activities there. See below for some suggestions of places to see while in Carlsbad.

Sitting Bull Falls

About an hour away from Carlsbad lies a hidden gem that is highly regarded by the community. After traveling through what seems to be a barren desert, you’ll reach a hilly oasis where waterfalls are fed by spring water all through the year.

Living Desert State Park

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park is a botanical garden showcasing plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert. You can learn quite a lot here, and admission is cheap.

Some visitors would spend the whole day here. Your decision will hinge on how much you want to learn about the desert beyond the animals that live there. We highly recommend it to those fascinated by nature (like we are!).

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

When you start your trip to Carlsbad Caverns via car, head 40 minutes to the west to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to cross off another national park on your list. There are several desert hikes around the spectacular mountain range, and drivers will also be treated to some beautiful sights.

What to Expect at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A total of 265 million years have passed since the caves’ sceneries formed! If you think it appears like a reef above ground, you’d be right.

In contrast to its current desert state, the region was formerly home to a vibrant marine ecosystem some 250 million years ago when it was an inland sea. The reef was buried and later raised and eroded with the sea receding to form the Guadalupe Mountains.

The caves didn’t form until 4 and 6 million years ago, making them relatively young in geological terms. The astonishing diversity of geological cave formations you will find on your visit results from rain, ocean, pressure, gases, and time.

Speleothems

Speleothems are the aggregate name for the rock formations found in caves. The Greek roots spelaion (for “cave”) and thema (for “deposit”) give this term its literal meaning.

Water seeps into the cave system, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and turning it into a weak carbonic acid as it travels through the ground. Because of its acidic nature, the water can dissolve part of the limestone it flows over on its journey to the ocean. Limestone in the water’s path carries calcite, which is deposited in the cave as speleothems.

There are many different kinds of speleothems to observe in Carlsbad Caverns, not just the stalactites and stalagmites that are the most well-known. Examples are columns, soda straws, drapes, helictites, and popcorn.

The cave formations you’ll view are up to 10,000 years old, but you can’t estimate their age by size since they grow at varying rates depending on environmental circumstances. Thus, the earliest formation is not necessarily the largest one.

The formation of a single speleothem can take thousands of years and is extremely sensitive, and they are prone to breaking and susceptible to being harmed by the oils on our skin. Consequently, please don’t touch the cave formations.

Stalactites

A little deposit is left behind as mineral-rich water drips from the roof. Stalactites are formed from these deposits over time, drip by drop. Most stalactites are icicle-shaped and end in a sharp point.

Stalagmites

Dripping water on the cave floor could also help minerals stuck there to stick around. This material will harden into stalagmites over time. Most stalagmites have rounded or flattened tips, as opposed to the sharp points of stalactites.

Soda Straws

The soda straws are the thinnest and most hollow cave formations known. An outer ring of calcite forms around each drop of water as it falls from the ceiling, making a “straw” whose inside diameter is the same as the water drops. When the hole in one of these hollow cylinders becomes closed, or water starts trickling down the outside of the tube, stalactites form.

Drapes are sheet-like structures, as the name implies. They form when water trickles down a sloping ceiling, leaving behind barely perceptible lines. Water will continue to flow along these paths because they are somewhat lower than the surrounding ceiling, eventually accumulating to form sheets.

Helictites are mysterious curved formations with a helix-like shape for which no clear explanation has been proposed. Their curving structures violate the laws of physics, and the Queen’s Chamber features some magnificent examples.

Popcorn-like formations, or “ cave popcorn ,” are coralloids , and they are seen on the walls and other structures. Precipitation or evaporation are two additional mechanisms that add complexity to their creation.

Hotels Near Carlsbad Caverns National Park

You cannot set up a permanent campsite (tent or RV) within Carlsbad National Park’s borders. Though free permits are available at the visitor center, there are several rules and regulations to follow if you want to camp in the park’s backcountry. For more details, please visit the NPS website.

White’s City Hotel

Located 7 miles from the park, White’s City is a quaint little community. You may discover a modest inn, an RV park, and a place to pitch a tent, all within walking distance. Because of the town’s compact size, booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during the busy summer months. There is also a gas station, convenience store, and cafe.

Carlsbad Hotel

Carlsbad lies around 25 miles (40 km) from the national park. Primarily due to the oil found in the area, Carlsbad has grown in population and prosperity. If you need anything, Carlsbad has a wide variety of businesses and eateries to satisfy your cravings.

Food Places in Carlsbad

Here are two excellent options for dining at a nice restaurant night.

The Trinity Hotel Restaurant

Excellent pasta dishes are available at this motel. If you’re lucky, you can get a seat at the upper level overlooking the resto and bar below.

Yellow Brix Restaurant

Seating is available both inside and outside at this eatery. They have pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.

To Sum it Up…You MUST Go to Carlsbad Caverns National Park!

The experience at Carlsbad Caverns National Park consistently exceeds the expectations set by the photographs.  Walking among such an extraordinary collection of geologic miracles formed over millions of years is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ideally, you’ve found this guide helpful as you organize your trip.

We’d love to hear from those of you who do make a trip to Carlsbad Caverns. What was your favorite part of the trip? Did you get to explore enough, and what would you have liked to change, if anything? And as always, please share photos of your favorite moments!

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What to Expect on the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour

Last Updated on March 10, 2024 by Bonnie

Tucked away in the southeast corner of New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to the largest, easily accessible cave chamber in North America. It is also one of the few caves within the National Park Service that you can tour on your own. No need to stress, though, the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour is easy to follow and very informative.

We have now done tours in many different caves, including Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, Timpanogos Cave in Utah and Wind Cave in South Dakota. It’s interesting to us just how different various caves can be. For instance, Mammoth Cave is, generally, not nearly as “decorative” as many other caves. Additionally, the unusual cave formation known as boxwork is only rarely found outside Wind Cave. 

Carlsbad Caverns is known for both its large chambers, like the aptly named “Big Room,” and its decorative mineral features. It is also home to a large colony of Brazilian Free-tail bats, which are a highlight of a summer visit to the park. 

Still, the park is great any time of year! So, let’s take a look at just what you can expect on a self-guided tour of Carlsbad Caverns and around the rest of the park.

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park Basic Information

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located just south of Carlsbad, NM in the Chihuahuan Desert of the Guadalupe Mountains. It is a fairly remote park, aside from the town of Carlsbad, which is about 20 miles north. Just outside the park entrance, the tiny enclave of White’s City offers an inn, RV park, gas station and restaurant. It’s not more than two corners of a single intersection, though.

The highlight of the national park is certainly the main cave (Carlsbad Cavern), along with the bat program in the summer. But, the park is home to at least 120 caves. Unfortunately, most of these are off-limits to the public.

Additionally, there are a few above-ground hiking trails and a scenic drive. The park also offers a few night-sky programs in the summer. At the visitor center, you will find a few exhibits, along with a small NPS bookstore and a large concessionaire gift shop and cafe. There is even a small snack bar down in the cave, though it has limited days/hours of operation.

Visitors can access Carlsbad Cavern via a 1.25-mile steep hike down the Natural Entrance or a relatively quick zoom down the elevator. Keep reading for more information on these options.

Be sure to check the Carlsbad Caverns National Park website for current hours of operation. The park enforces strict times for entering and exiting the cave on a self-guided tour. Finally, it is worth noting that the entire park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days.

Carlsbad Caverns Tours

Currently, Carlsbad Cavern can be seen on two different tours: the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour and the ranger-led King’s Palace Tour. Reservations for both must be made ahead of time on the recreation.gov website or app. Pre-COVID-19, the park offered a few other tours of the main cave and other caves. Unfortunately, as of March 2024, these have not resumed.

King’s Palace tours last 1.5 hours and are currently limited to 12 people. As you might guess, these reservations are extremely difficult to secure. Tickets are released 30 days prior at 8 a.m. Mountain Time and typically sell out very quickly. If you are interested in this tour, I suggest trying to secure tickets immediately when they are released.

Thankfully, tickets for the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour are relatively easy to get, especially during non-peak times. Still, you need to secure tickets before arriving at the park. Tickets are available up to 30 days in advance and until 5 a.m. MT the day of the tour, provided space is available. Your ticket allows you to enter the cave within a one-hour window. Once inside the cave, you can stay until the posted exit time.

Note: You must pay the park entrance fee upon arrival to Carlsbad Caverns National Park ($15 per person ages 16 or older, valid for three days) in addition to the ticket fees that are collected with your reservation. National Park pass holders must purchase a tour ticket, as only the park entrance fee is covered by your pass.

Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour

Our visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park was part of a longer road trip in the winter. Since we know that winter weather can always detail a road trip, we opted to keep our itinerary flexible and not make reservations too far in advance. That meant the King’s Palace Tour was not an option for us. 

Honestly, though, for our first visit to Carlsbad Caverns, we were happy to do the Self-Guided Tour. And, now that we’ve done it, I would certainly recommend it to any first-time visitor. It is possible to do both the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour and the King’s Palace Tour on the same day. This would not be a bad option if you have the time.

The Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour allows you to explore the Big Room along a 1.25-mile paved route. This trail is well-lit and relatively level. Much of the trail is even wheelchair accessible. That said, the park recommends that visitors in wheelchairs should only enter the Big Room with assistance. 

Before entering the cave, consider renting a handheld audio guide at the NPS bookstore. While there are a few exhibit signs along the underground trail, the audio tour provides in-depth descriptions of the cave features, history and geology. If you haven’t been in a lot of caves or have a particular interest in the geology or history of Carlsbad Cavern, I would encourage you to rent the audio guide. It’s a nominal rental fee ($5 when we visited) and was very informative and easy to use.

Natural Entrance vs. Elevator for the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour

When you are ready for your Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour, you’ll need to be prepared to tell the ranger if you are planning to enter the cave via the elevator or the natural entrance. Since the natural entrance takes you through 1.25 miles of the cave that you would not see otherwise, we HIGHLY SUGGEST taking this route. That said, it is steep and moderately strenuous, descending more than 750 feet underground. 

Hiking down (or up) the natural entrance also doubles the length of your cave tour, as it is separate from the Big Room. If you have mobility issues, limited stamina or even limited time, then you might want to skip the natural entrance and just take the elevator up and down.

Otherwise, we suggest that you enter the cave via the natural entrance and exit via the elevator. While I suppose it is technically possible to exit via the natural entrance, it would be quite strenuous. And, while we enjoyed the cave along that route, I don’t think you would gain anything by hiking it both down and up. 

The park’s brochure shows the path of the Natural Entrance and Big Room routes. Be sure to look at that and talk to a ranger if you aren’t sure which way to enter or exit the cave. 

The Natural Entrance Route on the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour

If you can make the trek down the natural entrance, you’ll enter the cave by the amphitheater that is used in the summer for the nightly Bat Flight Program. From there, you’ll descend about 200 feet along a series of switchbacks until you reach the entrance to the Bat Cave. 

As you might guess from the name, this is where the bats roost inside the cave. Even if visiting in the summer, when the bats are present, you will not be able to see them from the trail.

From there, the trail flattens out a bit as it continues to descend through the Main Corridor. Still, there are a few steep areas and another set of switchbacks near the area known as Devil’s Den. As you make your way through the cave, you’ll see a variety of features including stalactites, stalagmites and columns. You’ll even pass by a few pools of water.

It took us just under 1.5 hours to make our way down the Natural Entrance Trail to the elevators on the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour. That included quite a bit of stopping or slowing down to take pictures and listen to the audio guide.

Rest Area and Lunchroom

The Natural Entrance Trail meets up with the Big Room Trail right by the elevators, bathrooms and snack bar. At this point, you’re 755 feet below the surface. 

This is a great opportunity to take a potty break, eat a snack and maybe even take a few minutes to rest your legs. While you’re done with the most strenuous part, you’re still only about halfway through your Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour at this point.

It is also worth noting that this is the only area where you are permitted to eat or drink anything other than water. Even the smallest crumbs can make a big impact on the cave’s ecosystem, so all visitors must follow this policy.

Exploring the Big Room on the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour

The 8.2-acre Big Room is the largest single cave chamber in North America. It truly is a must-see for anyone visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It is easily accessible via the elevator and much of the route around its perimeter is wheelchair accessible, making it easy for just about anyone to see.

A 1.25-mile paved trail takes you around the perimeter of the Big Room. A shortcut about halfway through the loop will cut the trail in about half. 

The highly decorated Big Room really is impressive, both in its size and the cave features. You’ll see a large group of stalactites known as the Chandelier and Crystal Spring Dome, an active formation that grows as it flows down a stalagmite into a cave pool. You’ll also be wowed by a variety of both large and small features from Doll’s Theatre where you’ll find extremely fragile soda straw formations to the towering domes at the Hall of Giants. 

In a few places, you’ll even see tools left behind by some of the early cave explorers. In particular, be on the lookout for a very rickety ladder on a cave wall and ropes tied to the cave ceiling. While being inside caves doesn’t really bother me too much, these tools remind me that is true only for well-developed caves!

Even after all the caves we’ve toured, every turn of the trail through the Big Room revealed a new cave feature that left us in awe. Seriously, Carlsbad Cavern is one impressive cave every step of the way. 

We spent about 1 hour and 15 minutes touring the Big Room. Again, that included several stops for pictures and audio guide information.

What to Wear Inside Carlsbad Caverns

As with most caves, the temperature inside Carlsbad Caverns stays a constant 56 degrees. Thus, we recommend wearing pants and long sleeves. You’ll also want to make sure you have shoes that will be comfortable for a 1.25-2.5 mile walk, likely sneakers or hiking shoes. There are a few areas that might be slippery, so I’d go with closed-toes shoes.

If you plan to hike down the natural entrance, you’ll definitely want shoes with good traction (we both wore hiking shoes). If you are taking the elevator and just exploring the Big Room, the path is more level, so regular sneakers are fine.

Read our tips for visiting a National Park Service cave here.

How to Avoid Spreading White-Nose Syndrome

It is also best to not wear clothes that have been inside another cave to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White-nose syndrome, which affects hibernating bats. You may even have to wipe down your shoes, phone or camera gear before entering the cave or when exiting. 

White-nose syndrome (WNS) gets its name from the white fuzzy fungus that can grow on a bat’s nose. Unfortunately, it can cause bats to be more active than usual during hibernation and burn up the fat that they need to survive the winter. Biologists first found sick and dying bats in 2007. Since then, WNS has killed millions of bats in North America and is considered one of the worst wildlife diseases in modern history.

People can unknowingly spread the fungus that causes WNS, as the spores can live on your clothing and other items even after washing. Thus, you will find that most cave operators (like the National Park Service) request that visitors not wear or carry anything into a cave that has been in another cave.

Pro Tip: Take a picture of each of the people in your group before heading into the cave, making sure all of their gear is in the picture. That way, you will have a record of what you wore and can avoid taking it into another cave.

Interestingly, the ranger we talked to at Carlsbad Caverns National Park said they aren’t too worried about WNS since their bats are migratory rather than hibernating. Still, since there is much that is not known about the spread of WNS, it’s best to wear new clothing that has not been in another cave if at all possible.

Other Things to Do at Carlsbad Caverns

While the cave tours are certainly the highlight of any visit to Carlsbad Caverns, there are a few things to do above ground. 

Bat Flight Program 

Aside from cave tours, one of the most popular things to do at Carlsbad Caverns is the nightly Bat Flight Program, which is held from Memorial Day weekend through October. Each night, thousands of bats rush from the cave’s natural entrance to feed. At the Bat Flight Program, park rangers present a talk about bats before they emerge.

Check times for the Bat Flight Program on the park’s website or at the visitor center. The program is generally held about 30 minutes before sunset. 

Unfortunately, the bats spend their winters in Mexico, so we were not able to see this spectacular event during our January visit. But, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Carlsbad Caverns, so we definitely plan to return sometime in the future when we can see the bats!

It’s also worth noting that the bats typically return to the park in mid to late April. You can watch the bat flight on your own at the amphitheater even if the ranger program hasn’t started yet for the summer. Also, if you are visiting in the fall, it’s worth noting that there is no way to know exactly when the bats will leave and move south. 

Overall, if you think this will be your only visit to Carlsbad Caverns, I’d suggest going when you can be reasonably certain the bats will be there. If you know you will likely have the opportunity to return, though, you can still enjoy a visit to this park even if you miss that special sight.

Hiking Trails and Scenic Drive 

If you are waiting around after your cave tour and before the Bat Flight Program, there are several above-ground hiking trails at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Sadly, flooding in 2022 caused trail erosion and damage to the scenic Walnut Canyon Desert Drive. Currently, most backcountry hiking trails and the scenic drive remain closed. For more information and estimates on reopening, check out the National Park Service website on the flood damage .

As you make your way in or out of the park, we suggest the short, Walnut Canyon Overlook Trail. The trailhead for this 5-minute walk is located right along the main park road as you make your way to the visitor center and cave entrance. It’s worth a quick stop to look out over the vast Chihuahuan Desert!

There also is a 1/2-mile Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail right by the visitor center. Along this mostly paved trail, you’ll find information on the flora of the surrounding desert. 

We certainly hope that the backcountry trails and the scenic drive are open when we return to Carlsbad Caverns!

Where to Stay and Eat When Visiting Carlsbad Caverns

There is no lodging or even a developed campground within the park. Right by the park entrance, you’ll find a small inn and RV park at White’s City. If you want to camp, that isn’t a bad option but it really isn’t a town. 

If you’re looking for a hotel and easy access to restaurants, shopping or other conveniences, I’d suggest staying in Carlsbad. Since we didn’t have the camper with us on this trip, we spent 3 nights at the Home2Suites in Carlsbad , which we used as our base for visiting both Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which is located just across the state line in Texas.

Read more about exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Grant’s article.

The Home2Suites was perfectly comfortable and we enjoyed having the small kitchenette with a refrigerator. It is also located on the south side of town, making it very convenient for getting to the parks.

Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Book the Hotel

Another perk of the Home2Suites is that you can walk to Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Company , which is just on the other side of the parking lot. We did this for dinner one night and were not disappointed at all! The beer is quite tasty and they serve a nice variety of pizzas, subs, paninis and a few salads and appetizers. 

If you’re looking for something other than a brewery, we suggest YellowBrix , which is located in the center of town. I thoroughly enjoyed the BRIX Meatloaf, which included a hefty serving of meatloaf along with two sides. Grant opted for the BRIX Mexican Burger, which was a traditional burger but wrapped in a tortilla. They also have a nice beer and wine menu, offering a little something for everyone.

Final Thoughts on the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour

After you’ve visited as many caves as we have, it’s easy to think that you’re going to “just another cave.” While we were excited to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, we wondered if it would live up to the hype for us. 

I am pleased to say that it did! Even after countless other cave tours, it is easy to see why people like Carlsbad Caverns. And, that was without getting to see the bats or any of the backcountry hiking trails. This was easily one of our favorite caves!

While we always love a good ranger-led tour, doing the Carlsbad Caverns Self-Guided Tour was nice. It allowed us to explore the cave at our own pace, spending as much or as little time at a given formation as we wanted. Honestly, the fast pace of our tour at Mammoth Cave was one of our biggest complaints. It was refreshing to not have to worry about that this time.

We took our time, took the pictures we wanted and rested when we wanted! Seeing both the Natural Entrance and the Big Room was special, even if it did make for a somewhat lengthy walk. All told, we spent a little over 2.5 hours hiking in and around Carlsbad Caverns and we loved every bit of it!

Touring on our own was easy. The route was well-marked. And, there were enough informational signs to know what we were looking at. Having the audio guide provided even more history and information. We certainly did not feel that we missed out on anything by not having a ranger-guided tour. Mostly, we just loved touring on our own and not worrying about a large group.

Travel Resources

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As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia . Click here to book a rental car.

How about booking a cruise?

We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct . We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper. Click here to book a cruise.

What if I want to rent an RV?

We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip. Click here to rent an RV.

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We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first. Click here to book a tour.

Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?

We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J. Click here to get a Good Sam membership. We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there. Click here to get a AAA membership.

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