Carlsbad Caverns National Park - General Park Information

The park is open all year, except Dec. 25. The visitor center is open daily 8-7 (cave tours are offered 8:30-5), Memorial Day weekend to mid-Aug.; 8-5, (cave tours are offered 8:30-3:30) rest of year. Visitors may explore Carlsbad Cavern on two self-guiding routes, the Natural Entrance and the Big Room, and return to the surface by elevator. The Big Room route is recommended for visitors who are short on time or who prefer a less strenuous walk.

A brief orientation is presented prior to touring. An audio guide provides descriptive commentary, and interpretive signs explain cavern features, history and geology. Alternative activities--including ranger talks, self-guiding nature trails and a desert automobile drive--are available for early arrivals.
Guided cave tours are led by park rangers and range from easy walks to difficult crawls and climbs. These tours fill quickly in the summer and are available by reservation only.

Exhibits at the visitor center depict the geology, biology, history and archeology of the cavern and surrounding area. Interpretive programs about bats are given at dusk at the cave entrance amphitheater from late May to late September; phone (505) 785-3012 for more information. A half-mile, self-guiding desert nature trail begins near the cave entrance.
The 9.5-mile Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, a one-way loop drive over a graded gravel road, offers views of Rattlesnake Canyon and upper Walnut Canyon. A permit is required for overnight back-country trips; inquire at the visitor center for hiking information.
The temperature underground is a constant 56 F. A sweater and flat-heeled shoes with rubber soles are recommended. Strollers are not permitted. Flash and time-exposure photography is allowed, but all photographs must be taken from paved trails. Food is available.

ADMISSION to the park area and the visitor center without entrance to the caves is free. Cave admission (valid for 3 days) including the Natural Entrance and Big Room self-guiding routes $6; under 16 free. Ranger-led tours $7-$20; under 16, $3.50-$10. Audio guide rental $3. DSMCVI.

PETS, except Seeing Eye dogs, are not permitted inside caves. The visitor center provides kennels for $5 per pet.
ADDRESS inquiries to the Superintendent, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 3225 National Parks Hwy., Carlsbad, NM 88220; phone (505) 785-2232.