Planning a trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Information
Contact Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 3225 National Parks Hwy., Carlsbad, NM 88220 (tel. 575/785-2232, or 575/785-3012 for bat flight information; www.nps.gov/cave).
Because the park's backcountry trails may be hard to follow, rangers strongly recommend that those planning any serious aboveground hiking obtain topographical maps. An excellent book for hikers is Hiking Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, by Bill Schneider, which was published in partnership with the Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Association and is keyed to the Trails Illustrated topographical map of the park. Books and maps can be ordered from the Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Association, 727 Carlsbad Caverns Hwy. (P.O. Box 1417), Carlsbad, NM 88220 (tel. 575/785-2486; www.ccgma.org).
For additional information on area lodging, dining, and other attractions, contact or stop at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, 302 S. Canal St., Carlsbad, NM 88220 (tel. 800/221-1224 or 575/887-6516; www.carlsbadchamber.com).
Visitor Center
The park visitor center is open daily 8am to 7pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day; self-guided cave tours can begin from 8:30am to 4pm. The rest of the year, the visitor center is open daily from 8am to 5pm, with self-guided cave tours from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Tour times and schedules may vary during slower times in the winter. The park is closed December 25.
At the visitor center, displays depict the geology and history of the caverns, bats, and other wildlife; you can also see a 3D model of Carlsbad Caverns. You can also get information about tours and other park activities, both below- and aboveground.
Attached to the visitor center is a restaurant and a gift shop that offers the usual souvenir items such as postcards and sweatshirts, plus a variety of gift items, including handmade American Indian crafts. Another gift shop and snack bar is in the Underground Rest Area.
Fees & Reservations
Admission to the visitor center and aboveground sections of the park is free. The basic cavern entry fee, which is good for 3 days and includes self-guided tours of the Natural Entrance and Big Room, is $6 for adults 16 and older, and free for children under 16. Holders of all America the Beautiful passes, plus up to three adults, are admitted free. An audio tour of the two self-guided routes is available for a $3 rental fee.
Reservations are required for all guided tours. In addition to tour fees, you will need a general cave admission ticket for guided cave tours, except those to Slaughter Canyon Cave and Spider Cave. Holders of the America the Beautiful Senior and Access passes receive a 50% discount on tours. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older, and minimum age restrictions for tours also apply.
The King's Palace guided tour costs $8 for adults and $4 for children 4 to 15; younger children are not permitted. Guided tours of Left Hand Tunnel, limited to those 6 and older, cost $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 6 to 15. Guided tours of Spider Cave, Lower Cave, and Hall of the White Giant are limited to those 12 and older; they cost $20 for adults and $10 for youths 12 to 15. Slaughter Canyon Cave tours, for those 8 and older, cost $15 for adults, $7.50 for children 8 to 15.
You can make reservations for cave tours in advance by phone or on the Internet (tel. 877/444-6777; www.recreation.gov).
Special Regulations & Warnings
As you would expect, damaging the cave formations in any way is prohibited. Even touching the formations, walls, or ceilings of the caves can damage them. This is not only because many of the features are delicate and easily broken, but also because skin oils will discolor the rock and disturb the mineral deposits that are necessary for growth.
All tobacco use is prohibited underground. In addition, food, drinks, candy, and gum are not allowed on the underground trails. Do not throw coins or other objects into the underground pools.
Cave visitors should wear flat shoes with rubber soles and heels to negotiate the slippery paths. Children under 16 must remain with an adult at all times. Strollers are not allowed in the caves, so child backpacks are a good idea, but beware of low ceilings and doorways along the pathways.
Photography of any kind is not permitted at the evening bat flight programs.
Pets are not permitted in the caverns, on park trails, or in the backcountry. Because of the hot summer temperatures, pets should not be left unattended in vehicles. A kennel is available at the visitor center, operated by a concessionaire (tel. 575-785-2281). It has cages in an air-conditioned room but no runs, and is primarily used by pet owners for a few hours while they are on cave tours. Pets are given water but not food, and there are no overnight facilities. Reservations are not necessary and no proof of vaccinations is required.
When to Go
The climate aboveground is warm in the summer, with highs often in the 90s (30s Celsius) and sometimes exceeding 100°F (38°C); evening lows are in the mid-60s (upper teens Celsius). Winters are mild, with highs in the 50s and 60s (10s and midteens Celsius) in the day and nighttime lows usually in the 20s and 30s (low negatives Celsius). Summers are known for sudden intense afternoon and evening thunderstorms; August and September see the most rain. Underground it's another story entirely, with a year-round temperature that varies little from its average of 56°F (13°C), making a jacket or sweater a welcome companion.
Seasonal Events
A "bat flight breakfast," planned from 5 to 7am on a summer Saturday at the Bat Flight Amphitheater, offers visitors an opportunity to have breakfast while they watch the bats return to the cavern after their night of insect hunting. Breakfast can be purchased at the restaurant near the visitor center. Call the park for the date, cost, and other details.
Avoiding the Crowds
The park is open year-round and receives more than 400,000 visitors annually. Crowds are thickest in summer and on weekends and holidays year-round; visiting on weekdays between Labor Day and Memorial Day is the best way to avoid them. January is the quietest month.
Visiting during the park's off season is especially attractive because the temperature in the caves stays the same regardless of the weather above -- 56°F (13°C). The only downside is that you won't be able to see the bat flights. The bats head to Mexico when the weather starts to get chilly, usually by late October, and don't return until May. There are also fewer guided cave tours off season. The best time to see the park might be September, when you can still see the bat flights but there are fewer visitors than during the peak summer season.
Getting There
The main section of the park, with the visitor center and entrance to Carlsbad Cavern, is about 30 miles southwest of the city of Carlsbad by way of U.S. 62/180 and N. Mex. 7. From Albuquerque, drive east on I-40 for 59 miles to Clines Corners, then turn south on U.S. 285 for 216 miles to the city of Carlsbad. For the caverns, continue southwest 23 miles on U.S. 62/180 to White's City, and go about 7 miles on N. Mex. 7, the park access road, to the visitor center. From El Paso, drive east 150 miles on U.S. 62/180 to White's City, then 7 miles on N. Mex. 7 to the visitor center.
The Nearest Airport -- Air travelers can fly to Cavern City Air Terminal (tel. 575/887-3060), at the south edge of the city of Carlsbad, which has commercial service from Albuquerque on New Mexico Airlines (tel. 888/564-6119; www.flynma.com), plus Enterprise car rentals.
The nearest major airport is El Paso International (tel. 915/780-4749; www.elpasointernationalairport.com), in central El Paso, Texas, just north of I-10, with service from major airlines and car-rental companies.
Getting Around
No, you can't take your car into the caves, but it won't be totally useless, either. For a close-up as well as panoramic view of the Chihuahuan Desert, head out on the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, a 9 1/2-mile loop. You'll want to drive slowly on the one-way gravel road, both for safety and to appreciate thoroughly the dramatic scenery. Passenger cars can easily handle the tight turns and narrow passage, but the road is not recommended for motor homes or cars pulling trailers. Pick up an interpretive brochure for the drive at the visitor center bookstore. Allow about 1 hour.
Tips for Families
Children usually love the self-guided walk through the main cavern's Big Room, with its many bizarre and beautiful shapes, especially when they're encouraged to let their imaginations run wild. Younger children are often bored on the King's Palace Guided Tour because it has several stops and everyone must remain with the group. (Children under 4 are not permitted on the King's Palace tour.) Families with children at least 6 years old (and preferably a bit older) enjoy the Slaughter Canyon Cave tour, which has some spectacular formations and gives the feeling of exploring a wild cave.
