Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Excellent caverns. Looking at those stalagmites and stalactites is mind blowing. The big room trail is excellent. It is 1.25 miles trail to reach the big room and another 1 mile walk to see the big room. But last 1 miles to see the big room is not difficult at all. That’s the most beautiful trail I will see. You can also use the elevator and skip the first trail to reach the big room.

Carlsbad Caverns was an amazing experience! Be sure to reserve a timed entry in advance—it’s just $1 per person, and our total for four was $60. Even outside peak bat season, the caves were stunning. The 3.5-mile hike down felt longer since we explored a few extra trails inside. Railings line the entire walkway, and while most of the hike is a gentle downhill with some stairs, you do feel it as an entry level hiker. Flashlights are recommended—ones with a long beam would be worth it! We had small ones and our phones, which worked but didn’t fully capture the depth of the darkness. My pictures don’t do it justice—it’s much darker than it looks, so if you struggle to see in low light, bring something extra to illuminate parts of the path. At the end of the trail, we took the option of 75-story elevator back up. The trails were busy, but people were respectful about photos and passing. There are gift shops at both the top and bottom, plus snacks underground. Just remember—no food or drinks in the cave. Highly recommend visiting—truly a must-see!

Amazing cave system you get to walk down to the bottom almost 800ft from the top. Easy walk with gradual slope down and it’s well lit and even surface to walk on. Highly recommended to go down by yours self rather than take the elevator. You will get to experience many of the fantastic sights on the way. Then you can take the elevator back up when exiting. Make sure to eat at the cafe which is located at the bottom within a massive cave what a cool experience.

A very large and beautiful cave! The walk down from the mouth of the cave to the end is filled with so much beautiful and natural formation. It is an active bat cave, but visitors are not permitted to go into that part of the cave for obvious reasons. During the Spring, the park holds a bat flight observation. The cave is nice and cool, but there hike down can be strenuous and cause body temperature to rise, so dress for the activity and not for the weather. I went early in the morning and was able to enjoy some of the areas to myself, which was really nice. Give yourself 2.5 hrs to really enjoy everything the cavern has to offer. When I was done, I ride w the elevator up to the visitor center. By 10-10:30, the visitor center was starting to get crowded. So go early if you want to avoid Karnes crowds.

This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I was blown away by how massive this cave system is and all of the formations that make it up. It’s breath taking and I really recommend taking the natural entrance, unless you have medical issues, because the walk down is amazing.

Beautiful!! We did the hike down and took the elevator up. They said that the hike is 20 degrees steep down and so which is true but there is concrete pathway all the way down with rails. So not at all difficult for young people. Hike down is worth it. Its easy and views are just amazing.

Amazing stalactites and an incredibly beautiful cave, easily the best I’ve been to by far, about a 1.2 mile hike steep downhill to the big room and another 1 mile hike through the big room I would recommend if you are able to hike 2.2 miles 1.2 of which are steep downhill you should take the natural entrance down and then go through the big room and then take the elevator back up. If you can’t do that you can just use the elevators. I would by no means recommend you take the natural entrance up as it is incredibly steep.

Truly an amazing cave! We walked for 2 hours and the views just got more and more impressive. Highly recommend you book your time online before coming to the cave, it’s super easy to do so. It was a self guided tour and we took lots of pictures. The park has two large gift shops and plenty of parking which is nice. I also saw they offer a kennel service for people who bring dogs. We didn’t get to see the bats due to the time of year but would love to come back for that!

This was our first time to this National Park well actually it's my first trip to New Mexico. I live in Ohio, so this was quite a distance away. We Google things of interest in New Mexico and this was and White Sands were the top. I would say this was the most impressive cave that we had ever been to in the United States. The rooms were massive it was very easily walkable. Didn't have to go downstairs nothing was slippery it was well maintained. You could walk down or go to the elevator we went the elevator and I'm glad we did cuz I was having some belly issues. They did have bathrooms upstairs and right after you got off the elevator downstairs. You could bring a bottle of water and a flashlight. My only complaint is they could have used a little bit more lighting there were areas that we wouldn't have even seen the formations if we hadn't had flashlights and the beginning of the Walk was very dimly lit. So definitely recommend bringing a flashlight. They were doing the making a reservation for the time but this was in Winter and there were plenty of open spots which worked out for us. You can look online and see how many spots they have open to get a feel for if you're going to have trouble getting in without a reservation. We lucked out it wasn't crowded at all but I'm sure the winter isn't the high season. we were just traveling through and short of time as we had a very long drive to get home to Ohio. Would have liked to seen the bats or the bats flying out of the cave but didn't see that. The temperature in the cave was very comfortable with the sweatshirt and jeans I'm glad we didn't take her jackets. The caverns are so massive that you really can't get a good feeling for what it looks like in the pictures the rooms are so big and tall and there's just so much going on all around as far as formations. I'm really glad we got to see this. The rooms were so massive I don't know if people with claustrophobia would even have trouble with this cave since the ceilings were high and there were no places where you had to squeeze through anything narrow . As my husband is a veteran we are privileged to have a life pass. So if you are a veteran and you haven't gotten the past definitely bring your information. Once you get the pass all you have to do is show the past Once you get the pass all you have to do is show the past and your driver's license at any of the national parks.

Just get tickets in advance, by the time our family decided to go, all the online tickets were sold out and we had to go in at 8am when they opened to secure our spots. Despite the annoyance of securing our admission, the hike and the scenery was worth it. All the ranger guided tours were sold out for the day so we did the self guided tour at 10:30am. The hike is an estimated 2.5 hours and you can get an audio guide for $5. We decided against them but some of our family members had them and we got to hear pieces of the cave's history and the geological significance of certain formations. The hike isn't too intense but some of the paths were steep downhills/uphills which were harder on our older family members. The cave itself and the cave formations were stunningly beautiful. There were some placards scattered throughout the cave so you don't really need the audio guide. It's also the perfect hiking temperature and all you need is a light coat. I'm not sure if they do tours of the cave during the spring to fall months, but I would love to come back and see the bat flights when the bat colonies come to roost in the caves. You can fully appreciate the nature of the caves and its inhabitants during those months and the temperature of the cave is consistent throughout the year.

We booked a ranger guided tour 30 days in advance of our arrival and had a blast! Thanks to Ranger Joseph and Eric for guiding us through the king's and queen's cavern. The tour was magical and it's seriously one of the most memorable national parks we've ever been. We really had a great time!

Ok this place was SO impressive- the photos do not do it justice! On a quick stop over to Carlsbad, my travel buddies and I were on the fence about visiting the caverns, but we are so glad we went- even wish we made a bit more time. It's instantly impressive when you walk through the door after taking the elevator down, the cool temps on a hot day are an added bonus. There is a big parking lot after a little bit of a drive from the entrance but the scenery is beautiful. It was quite full for the early afternoon but we did not have an issue finding a spot. Small gift shops down in the cave and up above where we got our passport stamp. We have put it on the list to come back and spend some more time, to check out the bat flight, and attempt to do the "hike" up to the top, the OG way you could get down to the cavern before elevators.

Located way, way down in the extreme southeastern corner of New Mexico, this is one of the top two most amazing places places I've visited in the United States. To be sure, it's a schlep to get here, but in my estimation, so worth the effort. If you are at all into caves/caverns this is one you really must visit. Its features include the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. Its speleothems are something you have to see in person to truly appreciate. They are something you will never forget. Planning my visit here, I learned there are two ways to enter the Caverns. I picked the Natural Entrance Trail. It's about a mile and a quarter hike down a steep trail with about a million switchbacks. I was stoked. I wanted to hit the trail as soon as the place opened. I got the earliest available entrance time. But then a week before my trip I sprained my knee. There was no way I could make that hike down to the Natural Entrance. But all was not lost because this place actually has an elevator. At first I was kinda bummed I didn't get to do the Natural Entrance hike and see the Caverns as the original explorers did, but at the same time I was thankful my sprained knee didn't keep me from touring the place. Turns out taking the elevator was an unexpected blessing. Instead of an hour long hike, we were down on the Cavern floor in mere moments. That day, at that early hour, there were very few people taking the elevator. Most people elected to do the Natural Entrance hike as I originally planned to do. That meant that by the time the people who hiked the Natural Entrance Trail got down to the the floor of the Caverns we had already been walking the trail for around for an hour. It really enhanced the experience to be able to enjoy the place without throngs of other visitors. People were so few and far between on the trail that minutes would go by before we passed anyone. Next visit, would I do the Natural Entrance hike or take the elevator? Definitely the elevator. The abilty to walk through the caverns without crowds of people was something really special. I'd definitely get the earliest entrance time again too. I should mention that this was my second visit to Carlsbad Caverns. I first visited Carlsbad Caverns on a family road trip when i was ten years old. That visit made such an impression on me that for the last 50 years I've rarely missed a chance to share my experience with literally anyone whenever the subject of caves or caverns comes up. Thanks to my wonderful wife, I finally made it back to this magical place. Totally out of the blue she suggested we take a vacation to New Mexico and visit Carlsbad Caverns. I was genuinely surprised. Can't imagine it anything to do with the fact that for the 25+ years we've been married I've never shut up about Carlsbad Caverns. Mikey C says: Mission Accomplished.

These cool caves are a perfect trip for a hot summer day. Carlsbad Caverns is an extremely touristy national park, which really detracted from their natural beauty. The exit of the caves takes you right through the gift shop. There were so many families with children. The reservation system is very strange. I reserved a timed entry pass online in advance, but you still have to line up and buy tickets once you enter in the same line as people who didn't make reservations. This seems like a money grab because you have to pay to make reservations and then pay again for the $15 ticket, whereas if you walk in you don't need to pay the reservation fee. I felt very deceived by the "trail" description because it said that the "hike" to the caves was "strenuous." It actually wasn't a hike at all. It was a walk on a paved path with railings. There were plenty of very small children walking happily on this path, so I am not sure why they chose to deceive the public by calling it a strenuous hiking trail. It is even wheelchair friendly for part of it. I understand not wanting to be held liable for injuries, but the posted descriptions are so inaccurate and completely inconsistent with ratings at other national parks. These caves are huge and cool to look at, but because it is so large and highly trafficked, you don't get to see any bats or other creatures up close, so I still prefer a more intimate cave experience. I really liked this one cave sculpture that looked like Admiral Ackbar from Star Wars or a walrus.

Such a cool experience! We arrived on a Sunday with a 1130 reservation hoping to get in early. No luck there; it was busy. Tickets were $15 pp, free parking. We opted to hike down and I definitely recommend that if you're able to. It's such a cool hike. It's mostly downhill and worth the extra steps. It took us about 2 hours to hike down and look thru the caves. I wish we got a guided tour but there's always next time! Overall, such a great experience! I've only ever been to one other cave in Greece and this was 10x bigger! It is a bit cool when you get down so bring a thin jacket!

Ever since I first saw pictures of Carlsbad Caverns on my grandparents' ViewMaster, I've wanted to see these beautiful Caverns. And they did not disappoint! Definitely check Carlsbad Cavern's website regarding daily conditions and sign up for a timed entry reservation. We selected the first time slot at 8:30am, which made paring easier and meant fewer folks in the caverns at the same time. It's important to wear comfy shoes and layers. The caverns are a consistent mid-50s temperature, but are also are humid enough for it to feel warmer. The paths in the Caverns are paved and almost always have handrails on both sides, which was particularly helpful on the initial descent with dim lighting and a steep grade. What's great about Carlsbad is that many handicapped folks can access the Caverns by taking an elevator down and up. My Dad, who uses a cane, could definitely manage much of the Big Room. There are a few places to sit to rest or marvel at the amazing natural phenomena. In addition to rest rooms at the visitors center, there is a rest room just before heading into the Natural Entrance or near concessions and elevators near the Big Room. We didn't get the audio tour, but I definitely would next time. The signage throughout does a nice job explaining the history of the Caverns and are worth your time.

Pretty cool caverns! Parking - There is a good amount of parking, including spaces for larger vehicles. Cost is $15/adult. If you are active/retired military or have a national parks pass, let them know. It's about 90 minutes to hike down and only do part of the big room trail. If you want to do the full big room trail, it's an additional mile and they estimate that part alone takes another 45-60 minutes. The hike is steep going down, so they do have 2 elevators to take up and down if you prefer. There are restrooms at the top before you start the hike down and another set once you reach the bottom. You have the option to do a self guided tour or go on a ranger guided tour. We did the self guided tour and didn't pay for the audio option.

Bats, cool temps and quiet, what's not to love! I love National Parks, obviously iconic destinations. I've been to many of them, but Carlsbad Caverns is aces! It might be my new favorite. We made sure to book timed entry into the park, which was easy and cheap done in advance. We were not there during busy season, but I'm sure when tourist season is in full swing, that's an important thing to have. We opted to take the self guided tour down to the cavern from the Natural Entrance. You can either hike down (about an hour, downhill, no amenities at all) or the very short elevator ride down to the Big Room. Guests are asked to be silent or whisper so as not to disturb the bats too much and sound travels really far in the caves. Also, closed toed shoes are required. I loved hiking down, but occasionally got annoyed with loud talkers. Come on guys, hush please, the bats ask kindly. We hiked all of the cave we could and it was all amazing and beautiful. We took the elevator up, and we exited into a small gift shop. There is another gift shop, MUCH larger near the ranger desk. There is also a cafeteria where you can grab a quick lunch. They are doing some kind of renovation down in the cave near the restrooms, so look forward to something to enjoy in the future. The BEST part of the Caverns is the Bat Flight at night. Before sunset, head down to the Natural Entrance, where there is an amphitheater with lots of seating. A ranger is present, giving information about the bats, what to watch for and more. Guests are asked to be QUIET, turn off electronics, so as not to disturb the bats. The night we were there (mid-May), there was a "small" amount of bats, I'd estimate 8,000-10,000. When the numbers are high, it can be 500,000! 10,000 was beautiful and impressive though. A life highlight!

What a magical place to visit. We can't believe how large the cave was as we hiked inside and there were so many beautiful features that were illuminated throughout. Pro Tips: -If your vision is bad, bring a flashlight as some sections are steep, wet, slippery and dark. -You have to reserve a time slot online for $1pp then pay for general admission at the visitors center. Its 2.5 miles total if you want to walk the entire path or you can take an elevator for a shorter route but I recommend hiking the entire path which I saw 4 year olds do. Allot at least 2 hours plus 15+ mins to visit the Visitors Center and gift shops. -To see more of the cave, advanced reservation is needed for the ranger led tours which have VERY limited spots. -Check out the Bat Program/Bat Watch (seasonal). Expect to wait up to 60 mins from the time that the ranger arrives to speak to see the bats come out of the cave. There is a chance they won't come out if it's during migration season, but amazing to see if you do.

This is an absolutely magical place. You really need to do reservations and stick to the timing. Please be aware that you have to be ready to hike out of the place as sometimes one of the elevators is in operative and it is a long wait to take the elevator out. The trip out is 75 stories so it is not easy. Having said that this is one of the coolest parks that we have ever been to I've never seen so many wild and interesting things

Tldr: This is a really cool large cave, but I felt that the accessibility of it kind of ruined the experience.   I've been spelunking in a private cave before, and in comparison, this is a super cool and interesting cave. For one thing, it's huge - one sign said it's 30 miles deep! Another cool thing is how big the rooms in the cave are (and perhaps also unnerving since there a lot of fallen boulders where the cave could not support its weight on the ceiling).  But there was also an amusement park feel to it. The trail was paved with handrails the entire way. Apparently they considered making the cave accessible to cars in the 30s, and when they decided against it, they compromised by "just" building an elevator to the bottom of the cave. And did I mention there is a restaurant at the bottom of the cave?? Yes, the cave is handicapped accessible - we saw a man with a wheelchair down there. Apparently there are cave tours where you can actually get on your hands and knees and put on a hard hat, but my kids were too young to qualify for them. I do feel like I'd walk away with a different experience if I'd done that, but I guess I'll never know...

As a cave and National park lover, Carlsbad is TOP 3!!! This cave self guided tour is a great price for the experience. Large cavern routes with well lit signage and accessible walking paths for all. I highly suggest walking down the cavern route, you get to enjoy much more with this additional trail.

Beautiful place to visit . I think its like a magical kingdom . Love the book store, gift shop . The restaurant they have is pretty good . Love the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. Friendly Staff.

I've been wanting to visit Carlsbad Caverns NP for years, so we finally made the 16+ hour drive over to NM for a visit. It was worth it! Compared to the 20+ national parks that I've been to, this one is one of the more unique ones in that it's underground in the cave system. I wasn't quite sure what to expect (I didn't want to do too much research into it in advance and have it ruin the surprise of what I'd see), but the caverns were absolutely beautiful. You have the option to hike down into the caverns or take an elevator - 100% do the hike down if you are able. There are so many cool things to see, and the hike in and of itself is a worthwhile experience. Definitely take the elevator back up, though. We didn't hike back up, but I'd imagine that would be a semi-strenuous hike. Make sure to plan your visit ahead of time because entrance into the caverns requires a timed ticket, and there's a limited number of tickets available per day. You can pre-purchase them in advance online up until the day before, and they were only $1/person. You don't want to show up and find out that all the tickets for the day have been given out. They do require a national park entrance fee when you pick up your ticket, but if you have the America the Beautiful pass, it will cover your entrance. The whole time in the caverns, assuming you hike down, will probably take you around 3.5 hours. We saw a couple other things to do in the park, but they were all above-ground and our focus of this trip was to experience the caverns. If you plan your caverns trip for the first time of the day, if you wanted, you'd have enough time to drive over to White Sands NP & have ample time to enjoy that park as well. This caverns were amazing, and 100% worth a visit.

Truly breathtaking - a jewel of New Mexico. Came here with my friend on a weekend and we made reservations to go down online in advance ($1 each). Once you've parked, you must go to the line to obtain a green receipt to allow you to go down either the elevator (just the big room) or the natural entrance (a steep 1.5 mile walk down). It's $15 per person for a self guided tour. Follow the sign for the natural entrance, which is located next to the bat amphitheater. Restrooms available at the visitor center, right before the natural cavern entrance, and at the bottom. The cafe in the Big Room wasn't operating that day when we went. There are lights but if you're afraid of the dark and/or claustrophobic, you may want to stay away. Once you go down the path, you can take your time exploring the caverns. If you have more time, you can make a reservation for a guided tour of other portions of the caverns.

Had an amazing time there. Husband loved it as well!! We are going to go back tomorrow for the bats flight tomorrow night.

Cave New World Carlsbad Caverns has been on my National Park bucket list for quite some time, and even despite the build-up in my head, it still didn't manage to disappoint. The Cavern's biggest attraction is The Big Room, which is a 4,000' long chamber inside the caves that is the largest in North America--but only 32nd in the world! The Good: *There are technically four ways to get in and out of the caves: (1) walk in, walk out (2) walk in, elevator out (3) elevator in, elevator out (4) elevator in, walk out. The second option is by far the most popular option, and the one I recommend, as attempting to walk out, will be like swimming against the tide of people coming down. Option three is highly recommended for older folks and those who are not in decent shape; the walk down isn't exactly a picnic. *Personally, for me, the walk into the caves was very dramatic and the highlight of the visit. *The caves themselves don't disappoint with gigantic and impressive stalagmites and stalactites all around you. *Has a really nice Visitor Center that includes a Café *Restrooms at the end of the Caverns is a nice and unexpected touch. *Small informational signs around certain areas. *Cell signal outside the Visitor Center but none inside for some reason; maybe the walls were too thick? Def no signal in the caves, so just fuhgeddaboudit. The Meh: *You need to make timed reservations ahead of time, so don't just show up. There's also an entrance fee ($20/adult $10/children), but it's free if you have an NPS Annual Pass. *I know it's supposed to be a cave and what-not, but I wish certain areas were lit a little better. *Bat viewing is only in the months of April to October. The rest of the year, they've migrated away, and you're SoL. :( The Ugly: *Despite going in what we thought would be the offseason (right after Xmas), the place was still packed to the hilt. It is not recommended for 'Rona© squeamish folks. TLDR: Bucket list item checked off and totally worth the wait. Highly recommended.

It's amazing what hides under ground . The staff was very nice .Spend the extra money for the guided tour it's so worth it !! We did both self guided and the tour Ate in the restaurant not a large menu but it was good . Stayed for the bats aka sparrow count it was interesting Word to the wise book ur trip closer to the closing time to go in the Caverns there is NOTHING to do around that area and the bats don't come out till 815 or later

It is a sheer surreal experience!!! Carlsbad Caverns is a must visit location and is an amazing National Park. Before you plan your visit, go to https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/234637 to make your booking for the self guided tour or ranger led tour of the King's Palace. The self guided tour can be booked for a $1 fee online with a lot of time options. There are no additional fees if you have the National Park Pass. The check-in process is very simple. Friendly rangers give you the instructions for the self guided tour and you walk thru the visitor center. You can purchase books, maps, souveniers and get your National Park Passport stamped. There is an elevator available to take you down to the caverns. If you choose this option, you only get to see the Big Room. If you choose to hike down the caverns to look at the whole glory, it takes between 60 to 90 mins. You always have the option of taking the elevator back up. The National Park Service has done an amazing job in preserving the limestone caverns and making it accessible for all of us. Photos and videos cannot do justice to what you get to see and experience. Park rangers run into you as you do the self guided tour and are happy to answer any questions. Ranger Topher was amazing - she chatted with me and answered a bunch of my questions and gave me a lot of detail about the history of the caverns. There is plenty of parking available outside the visitor center. You can only carry water with you on the hike down. There are food and drink options available as you end the self guided tour.

I haven't been here in years. That was almost on purpose. I wanted to experience it all as if it were the first time. Christmas Eve morning is a perfect day to do it because there are very few people. Me, my camera and tripod had the first few hours almost alone. I preferred to walk down into the cavern via the long trail that keeps going down, down, down. By the time I reached the big room of incredible giant formations, it was like opening holiday presents. I took my time, relaxed with my camera, and didn't come out until the early afternoon. This is an incredible experience every time I visit.

AWESOMENESS!!! Carlsbad Caverns National Park was on my bucket list, and I am so Happy that we went here with as part of our roadtrip. Our trip here with great friends happened in June 2021. I did not know at the time that we needed to reserve a time online in order to take one of their Cavern tours. We were so Lucky that day!! We arrived at the visitor center, and went in line to try our luck. Seemed like everyone in line had made reservations. Finally it was our turn, and to our utter happiness......they had spots available for us!! THANK YOU!!!!! The Caverns tour did not disappoint!! I had an amazing time down there exploring the caverns at our own pace since it was a self guided tour. It is so otherworldly down there. The multitude of natural rock formations is astounding! Carlsbad Caverns is one of God's wonders! It is worth the price of admission. Everyone should visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park at least once in their lifetime. So happy that we did. A little tip....It gets a bit chilly in the caverns so bring a light jacket.

This one was pretty cool and worth a detour. The parking lot is quite large. Reserve a time AHEAD of time, they will ask you for this time when you go to purchase tickets and only costs $1/person. They might have openings as walk-in but why risk it? You can enter the cavern via elevator or by hiking down. The elevated goes down 750ft in about 60 seconds. The walk around the "big room" is about an hour without much stopping and more if you want to take a good amount of photos. It's really quite massive in there. It has some interesting lighting and named formations. There is a self guided via signs. They had an option for an audio guide for $5 more. They also had ranger guided tours (but they were already sold out so probably best to book in advance). The entrance without a parks pass is $15/person. They have a gift shop and book shop, exhibits and a cafe with pretty good food (think hot dog, talking taco, soft tacos, beans, rice, cold sandwiches, etc...). The price was fair. It's in the middle of nowhere so if you are hungry it's either eat here or drive back to Carlsbad. I would highly recommend this place.

Excellent place to visit. A night in Carlsbad will save you from hours on the road. Take the natural entrance down - then the elevator up...it's a good hike with a decent grade but not difficult if you don't have mobility problems. It'll take you about an hour to reach the bottom. You can see many more aspects of the cave ahead of the big room going this route.

Spectacular to say the least. The Carlsbad Caverns are truly an unbelievable sight. Prior to this visit, I had only been to one other cave and it was tiny compared to this. Hiking through the caverns in Carlsbad literally blew my previous caving experience right out the window! The natural rock formations that are within these caverns are so striking! Literally couldn't believe my eyes and the pictures don't do it any justice. You'll need to book a reservation in advance to tour Carlsbad Caverns. Guided tours are available but this cave is huge and it's much more popular and easier to embark on a self guided tour at your own pace. You can book your tour time slot online at Recreation.gov. Since this is a popular park, I'd recommend booking your reservations at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure that you get the time slot that you want. I booked my tour about 2 weeks in advance and there were still some time slots left. Once you book your tour, you should plan to arrive between your chosen time slot. I opted for the 10:30-11:30am time slot and arrived at 10:30 am. So, you basically have an hour to make your reservation, and then there's no time limit once you begin the tour. Make sure you save your confirmation email and bring your ID with you for verification. It costs $15 for the tour or it's free with a national park pass. There's lots of parking at the visitors center, and you'll be able to get maps and walk through the interpretive exhibits. After checking in, you'll get a receipt and you'll follow the path down to the waiting area. A ranger will explain some of the rules and then you'll be off to explore! There are two main trails within the caverns; the Natural Entrance Trail and the Big Room Trail. The Big Room Trail is the most popular since you can take an elevator right down to the bottom and walk through the most beautiful parts of the cave. It's also handicap accessible. This trail is about 1.25 miles long, but there's also a shorter version for those who don't want to do the entire trail. The Natural Entrance Trail will allow you to actually walk deep into the cave from the entrance behind the visitor's center. You will walk down a steep trail until you reach the Big Room at the bottom. The Natural Entrance Trail is also 1.25 miles long and drops 750 feet into the cave. Most people hike down this trail and then take the elevator back up. It's very strenuous to walk up the 750 feet from the Big Room Trail. I only saw 2 people walking up and they looked exhausted. I would recommend hiking down and then taking the elevator back up so that you can really enjoy the experience. What's nice is that you can combine the two trails to get the best of both worlds. I did both trails and it was a fascinating experience! I started on The Natural Entrance Trail and then continued to the Big Room Trail before taking the elevator back up. The Natural Entrance Trail will take you down switchbacks right into the cave. This is also where you'll see and hear the bats flying around at the top. This was my favorite trail between the two because it was less crowded and every turn presented a unique view of the cave and many random natural rock formations. The most beautiful part of the cave is undoubtedly through the Big Room Trail though. You have rock formations that look like literal castles! There are stalagmites, stalactites, and hoodoos galore inside! So much to explore and it's a bit busy but still enjoyable. The cave temperature is usually around 56 degrees, so bring a light jacket. It might be scorching hot when you arrive to the visitors centers, but trust me, you'll be cold in that cave. Bring a sweater! Also, make sure that you bring a water bottle with you. The cave is dark but still lit enough to where you can see. You don't really need a headlamp or flashlight, but you can still bring one. You need sturdy shoes to navigate this trail. Sturdy hiking boots will do. Also, don't wear anything that you've worn in a prior cave here. This is required to prevent white nose syndrome; a disease that kills bats. There's a small cafe and souvenir shop that you can check out once you come back up the elevator. I ate at the cafe and the food was average but it hit the spot after being in that cave for a few hours. I'm so impressed with Carlsbad Caverns! Since this visit, I recently went to the Lehman Caves at Great Basin National Park. I can tell you that it didn't even compare to this on! Carlsbad Aca Caverns is the largest cave in North America, so it makes total sense. I'm so grateful that I was able to experience the caverns and would highly recommend it anyone who is looking for an unforgettable cave exploring experience.

We are a bit claustrophobic and didn't want to ride the elevator, plus the lines were long to come back up. We chose to walk in and out and so glad we did it. We enjoyed the self tour so much and this a great cavern to explore.

If you want a Ranger Guided Tour, you need to camp the website a 4-6 weeks in advance of your arrival day. Having said that, you can rent the self-guided tours and take your time. Don't go during spring break. They're sold out and Carlsbad, NM hotels are also sold out. There are people of all ages moving either super quick or super slow and don't watch where they're going. Go during an off-peak time. The Cavern is beautiful and worth going our of your way for just it. Because there is really nothing else in the area worth seeing. Unless you like hiking in desert.

Worth a visit Cave reservations must be made in advance and you will be given a time frame for arrival. Upon entrance to the park follow the road to the visitor center. At the visitor center when you enter check in at the desk to pay for your cave entrance. There is a small, but informative educational section about the cave and its formation. A great three dimensional view of the cave. After that you go to the exit door for the cave and the ranger gives you a few rules. There is a small outdoor trail to get to the natural entrance. Upon entering the cave there is a steep trail that goes into the cave. As you get deeper your eyes adjust. Head lamps are not necessary but a good flashlight can help light up points of interest in the cave. The path itself is easy to follow and clearly marked. There are education notes along the way. There is a bathroom in the cave and the elevator brings you back to the visitor center The visitor center also has a restaurant. Highly recommend the prickly pear pork torta. Plus two gift shops with lots of gifts from books to geodes.

My first time visiting the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and it was an amazing sight to see. I didn't know much about it and had only seen my friend's photos of it. But once you come here and visit it in person, it's 100 times better! You can do it from different points of entry into the deep have but we picked to walk it and then take the elevator back up. But you can start it off by taking the elevator down and walking the other way. Overall we talked to an employee that said the bottom to the top is as high as the Empire state building. It does take a few hours to walk and take photos and each spot looks not the same. It was one of the best places to visit on our trip to New Mexico and I would suggest everyone come here! You will be amazed at how beautiful it can be down under.

THIS WAS AMAZING. First my family went to the Bat Flight. It is free to the public, but make sure you get there by 7pm so that you have good seats before sunset. It was amazing to watch the bats fly out of the cave. The next day you should definitely go in the morning to buy tickets for the ranger guided tour to "The King's Palace". As they do sell out quickly. While you wait for that tour to start you can go ahead and do the natural entrance and walk your way around the "Big Room" and take many photos. Now it does get cold so I would recommend bringing a sweatshirt or a jacket. And keep in mind that you will be walking A LOT. My family walked about five miles. Everything is paved which is very nice. It was truly an amazing cave to see. Beautiful everywhere you look.

This is one of the most beautiful National parks I have visited. You truly feel like you are communing with nature. The visitor center is over 7 miles from when you first turn in so don't be surprised when you have to drive a while. The visitors center is huge and beautiful. There is a completely separate section for junior rangers, be sure if you have kids to get the junior ranger book and you can also ask for the bat biologist book, it's a separate badge. The books are very nice quality. Make reservations for entrance time. The last window is 1:30-2:30 currently. The last elevator when we went was 4:30. If you go down at 2:30 there are very few people there especially as you get closer to 3:30 Two ways to get in: elevators which take 1 min to go up or down, or hike to the natural entrance. The first day we all went down through the elevator. What can I say about the inside, there is a trail loop through the big room and it is just so beautiful. You can do a short cut and it will be about 0.5 mikes or you can do the full loop, which is 1.2 miles. They have a snack/bathroom area near the elevators. We did white sands too, and I wish someone had tipped me to get the annual pass which is $80. White sands was $25 and our Cave entrance was $45, but I couldn't find the recipe for white sands. Still got the annual pass because we also plan to go to Everglades and Yosemite this year, and may swing by Guadalupe National park on our way out this trip, but it would have been nice to get the other discount too. Update: The second day we did the hike down from the natural entrance. My husband took my 3 year old in a backpack carrier, also my 8 year old and I went. Mother in law and 6 year old took the elevator and met us. It was an amazing experience. My 8 year old had no problem at all, my 6 year old probably could have done it but would have struggled a little. Honestly an amazing experience and not as "scary" as I was led to think for my 8 year old. Would NOT do the hike back up.

OVERALL Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the absolute best New Mexico destinations hands down. ENVIRONMENT Outside the temperature can reach over 100°F. Down below in the Big Room, it's a cool 56°F according to my Apple watch on 11/23/21. SERVICE To be honest, the park rangers could be friendlier and more eager to speak to people - especially kids. I guess this pandemic has scared them into not interacting. MY FAVORITE PART... Walking through the natural entrance with my kids for their first time. NOT SO FAVORITE PART... A park ranger who huffed and puffed her way by reprimanded me for our kids being 10 feet ahead of us even though they stepped aside and stopped to let her pass us headed in the opposite direction. I could barely understand her under her muffling face mask. My kids said the rangers at other parks were much nicer. Agreed. LITTLE YELPER'S CLUB I highly recommend getting a junior ranger booklet from the front desk for your kiddos. My girls have earned badges from every national park they have been to and remember their experiences more most likely because of the additional education I and a few park rangers have guided them through with these booklets. PARKING There is plenty of free parking within walking distance to the main entrance. Restrooms are to the left before you walk inside to the ticket counter. TICKETS During these seemingly never-ending COVID times, you will be required to reserve a time slot online for a $1 fee per person (including children even though they are free to enter). Once you show proof of your reservation, then you will be required to purchase a $15 per adult ticket. Hang onto the green receipt because you'll need to show it to a park ranger regardless of your choice of entry: the elevator down or the natural entrance. TIPS + Bring good walking shoes & water. + Strollers aren't allowed. Wheelchairs are okay in some areas of the Big Room. + There are two gift shops. The smaller one they refer to as a bookstore. You'll go through it as you exit the elevator at the top. + Visit during early winter when it's the least busy. Go to Christmas on the Pecos. Find a vacation rental by the Pecos River. Make a weekend trip out of it. + Watch the bat flight program from late May to October. + I got coverage through T-Mobile in most areas other than the cavern. SIDE NOTE This place is full of nostalgia for me. I grew up going here and can't count how many times I've been to be honest. My old neighbor used to be invited to spelunk into new rooms and do research pre-COVID. Not sure if they are still doing that. My dad recently reminded me of the time he had to work down in the caves and brought me and a friend. While he worked, we got a tour from a ranger. The ranger complained to my dad half way through his job that the two of us were wearing her out because we had already taken three roundtrips from the top to the bottom and we still had energy and tons more questions. Lol. Those were the (pre-social media and handheld devices) days. | Park: 5 | Service: 3 | Environment: 4 | Price: 3 |

Was surprised to see so many folks in February, but it is rather spectacular. To start, make sure that you get your reservation at least the day before online. Currently only the self guided tours are available, no range led tours. After a short intro, I opted to hike down to the Big Room. It wasn't overly taxing, and there were a couple of sights to see. But the main attractions are in the Big Room. So many different formations! It's an embarrassment of riches. Loved the chandelier, and really liked the Rock of Ages. No bats during this visit, unfortunately; after last week's freeze it wasn't surprising. The bathrooms near the elevators were very appreciated. And while I wasn't informed of it, there is an audio guide that's available from the gift shop by the elevator at the visitor center. I'm sure it contained a lot of cool info.

Really nice National park! The drive to get there is pretty far but worth it. It took us almost 2 hours to do the whole thing and we took the elevators back up. Definitely a must see even if it's just once.

Carlsbad Caverns was a must stop on our road trip from California to Florida, and so glad we did. We camped at Whites City RV Park, right outside of the entrance (about 7 miles). Reservations are required to enter the caverns and can be purchased online. If you get there before your time there is a lot to look at in the visitor center and some trails near by. We also read that it can be quite cold in the caverns so we brought jackets, however with all the walking, we were carrying our jackets. So layers are a good idea. Also there is no overnight parking/camping but we did find room on the lower part of the parking lot to park our RV and tow vehicle. At the time of our visit there was construction in the parking lot, so only one was being used. Also the café area inside the caverns were closed. We did spend time in the visitor center and all the rangers and staff are very friendly and helpful.

Another great stopover for any cross-country trip, Carlsbad Caverns is a cool spot that can be enjoyed by anyone willing to go on a half day adventure. There is a hike that ends at the elevator, or you can just take the elevator to the "Big Room" where the largest section of the cave is located. I opted for the extra 45 minute hike since you get a way better experience from going to the natural entrance all the way to the bottom where you can take the elevator at the end when you're done. I saw that this cave is reservation only so be sure to get one before you go. It's $1 to reserve a spot. I managed to get one only a few hours before my time slot and got there almost 50 minutes late (apparently reservations are good for 1 hour). I used my adventure pass to get in with a ticket, which is good for any National Park. It is about 2.5 hours away from I-10 and it is in the middle of nowhere but it definitely doesn't detract from the experience, plus you can probably go visit White Sands NP if you start this in the morning. While there was a decent crowd waiting to enter, the caves are massive enough that you really feel like you're by yourself when you enter. You do have to wear a mask the entire time per Covid regulations for federal property like NPs and wear good shoes because the walk can be steep. Inside the temperature is a nice 60 degrees F and chill the entire time, even in hot weather at the surface. You'll see stalagmites, weird Jabba the Hutt rocks, tons of white rock formations, and it's all on paved walkway making it easy to walk. Apparently you can go deeper with a ranger tour but I opted out on that. Overall, this is one of the most impressive caves I've seen and definitely a cool stop to visit if you're in the area.

A must-visit!! Make sure to reserve your admission ($1) in advance since tickets seem to sell out very quickly in person. The cave is wayyyyyy bigger than I expected. The gigantic stalactites coming down from the vaulted cave ceilings and the stalagmites growing up from the floor gave it such a gothic and alien feel. The paths to and inside the cave are all paved and easy to walk although a bit dark. An overall amazing experience! Would love to come back when the bats are around!

The Caverns are a true wonder to behold, and worth a detour if you have a couple hours or more to explore. There is free private parking with amazing views of the surrounding landscape. Entrance was $15 for adults. We opted to take the elevator down to save time, but would have appreciated a bit more guidance on how to navigate the caves (especially since we mentioned we had a bit of a time crunch). They have a staff member at the elevator entrance giving a list of rules, but no one when you get down into the caverns. We ended up walking uphill to the surface, because there isn't a detour off the path, as we discovered too late. Overall I still enjoyed the experience, though the 1.3mile uphill climb put a damper on things for my partners.

This park is very interesting. Walking 750 feet down into the ground takes some courage, these caverns are so big it makes it a little easier. The sites are other worldly and will remind you of your favorite fantasy book or movie as you walk in the dark, cool cave. There are plenty of places to stop and rest and rails to hold onto. In some areas you are reminded to use those rails as the floors are damp and can be slippery. Once at the bottom, there is a gift store, restrooms, snack bar and a very large cave room (THE BIG ROOM) to see incredible sites. You can walk up or take the elevator. We chose the latter. It was quick. About 1.25 hour to walk down and probably about 1.5 hour back up. The elevator is a minute or two.

Stopped here on our road trip. Beautiful mountains and views. Definitely reserve a self tour before you go. It was crowded at the visitor center and had to wait in the long line. Once you get to the caverns everyone is spaced out enough we did not feel crowded. It is a beautiful site and if you are able to do the full walking tour then do it!!!! The walk down was amazing.

I had toured this cave as a young child, but had limited memories of it. We incorporated a stop here into a cross-country driving trip. It is at least 2.5 hours off of I-10, so plan accordingly. I'd recommend staying nearby overnight and also taking in the evening bat-flight program. I booked our tour time a couple of months in advance. At the time, the National Park Service had a sliding window of when you could book. I kept track of that and got a timed-entry for 9:30 a.m. (the earliest that was available; I'm not sure if there may have been some limited # of 9 a.m. times?). The fee was only $1 per person! Of course, there is a $25 park entrance fee when you arrive, as well. We got to the park early (just after 8 a.m.) and got in line to obtain the physical tickets (by showing your email / QR code). There was no additional fee beyond the original $1 per ticket. We then checked out the Visitors' Center and gift shop for about an hour. You have a few options for your tour. If you have any mobility issues, you can take the elevator down to the cavern (from the Visitors' Center). However, I'd recommend walking down if possible. You assemble near the amphitheater. In our case, a ranger who seemed like he must have given this lecture hundreds of times told us about rules, safety procedures, etc. We were then free to descend. The cave is at a constant temperature of 56 degrees F. You may want to bring a light jacket. Honestly, though, given that the rest of our trip consisted of 90 - 118 degree days in various places, I relished the cool temperatures for a couple of hours! You first descend via a series of paved trails through various sections of the cave. Some areas are not very well lit. It isn't unsafe, but if you own any sort of headlamp, I'd bring it along. We encountered a ranger who had given the bat lecture the previous evening as we walked; I guess they patrol the area to ensure no one is having issues, freaked out by the darkness, etc. It takes about a half hour or slightly more, but eventually you bottom out 750 feet or so underground. At that point, the still-paved trail is mostly level. It makes a large figure-8 through a huge 'room', with various formations highlighted along the way. At the junction where the '8' starts, there is a side path to the elevators and the snack bar / cafeteria / restrooms. We did the longer loop through the whole room. It was very impressive! This was the favorite stop for everyone in our group on the entire trip! The scope of the cave is really staggering versus any other cave I've been to. I would readily return here if I ever have the opportunity.

This is an amazing place. I was wowed all the time for the entire exploring of the cave. We did from natural entrance (definitely better than elevator entrance). What those decorations. Stalactites, Stalagmites, Draperies, Columns...sooooo many to see. Only thins I didn't like was elevator exit. So chaotic and no social distance practice. Due to that we had to wait for elevator for more than 1.5 hours. I emailed complaint to NPS but no answer.

We have toured a number of caves an Carlsbad Cavern is among my top caves. So vast in size and variety of formations. We entered the natural entrance that take you down numerous switchbacks as we made our way down to the great room. The paved trail has handrails to hold on to if you need extra support as some can be damp in places. Once we made it to the large cavern we made our way around the different highlighted formations. The visuals were stunning and if you love caves you will really appreciate this one. We did not go back up the trail took the elevator to the surface which comes up in the Visitor center. Reserve you tickets in advance as there is a limit right now on how many are allowed in a day and of course mask are required.

An incredible experience to walk around such a large cave. With the reservation system, it is not too crowded and no lines when we went the beginning of June.

Someone has aptly called them "Grand Canyon with a roof over it" and that's exactly how you feel at this southern New Mexico, National Park. These are some of the deepest, largest, and most unique caverns ever discovered, and they've been protected by the NPS since 1923. We stayed at Carlsbad so that the drive to the Caverns wasn't a long one for us however its remote and half way inside the park there is no network so download your maps ahead of time. There is a ticket booth in the visitor center if you want to do a guided tour or do a self guided Big Room tour . If you have a National Park pass you can get in for free to the Big Room or Natural Entrance. If not you will have to pay per person (kids go in free).There are two ways to experience the caves -either take the elevator or hike down the caves and we chose the latter. The rangers did tell us that once inside both the experiences are the same however the walk does have a few extra sightings and you get to see the magnanimity of the caves right from the beginning. Before you hit the caves you get to see the area where the bat flights occur (evenings ) .Here you can watch 100's of 1,000's of Brazilian free tailed bats fly out of the Natural Entrance of the caverns. Prior to the hike the ranger also did a brief discussion of the do`s and don'ts of what to do once you are inside The 1.25 mile trail has a variety of switch backs and inclines and declines as you make your way 750 feet down into the Big Room and your eyes get accustomed to the dark . The trail itself has lots of great things you can see. And the nice thing is when you get the bottom you can either choose to walk the Big Room trail again or just head straight to the elevator for the trip up. It was such an amazement to find a gift shop, snack shop and bathrooms all the way down there. The self-guided walk among the amazing geological formations of the 3.1-hectare Big Room, a colossal stalactite and stalagmite-festooned chamber with a ceiling that reaches up to 78 meters high. It is a 1.6-kilometer paved path that goes across formations created by mineral-laden water that has dripped and solidified over hundreds of thousands of years. The caverns are lighted the whole way through and you don't really need a head lamp or lights . Take as many pictures as you like but they do tend to be darker .The caves are usually around 56 degrees so if you like being warm get a jacket . One thing to note is that you have to reserve before you go and they are not available at the park and with the internet not working it will be hard to do it on the spot . The reservations can be done at Recreation.gov .

Time for an update to my prior review from over 4 years ago. So yes I actually stopped by Carlsbad Caverns National Park along my cross country summer road trip. Well...this time around it was MUCH DIFFERENT! And the reason I'm saying my experience was totally unlike my first time here was because of this 2020 pandemic. The Coronavirus changed everything. But for me...it changed everything for the better! Again arriving at Carlsbad Caverns...I headed straight to the front desk area to buy an admission ticket for a timed tour. Fast forward 4 years later and it was still $15 fee for General Admission. When I came here back in early September, it wasn't too crowded and I was able to buy a tour ticket for the next one available. Before entering heading through the Natural Entrance making my way down below into the caves...the Park Ranger had a specific discussion with the tour group. He just mentioned about all the rules and guidelines you need to follow. But, this is where EVERYTHING CHANGED FOR ME! This was the moment that made my 2nd time at Carlsbad Caverns was all worthwhile... The Park Ranger said..."go at your own leisure and accord". Really? Like we're not going to be in a group setting on a timed tour where we have to move along in a group and stay together? No! You mean tour groups behind us won't get all jumbled and mixed up with us? Nope! Just go at your own pace and enjoy! This meant everything for me! So many times in the past when I've visited caves/caverns...the whole group tour thing robs me of time. I like to grab photos and capture what makes the undergrounds so scenic. But because the guides/rangers have to keep things moving...I'm never afforded enough instances to appreciate the settings, especially while being stuffed next to strangers. So now here at this 2020 season of Carlsbad Caverns...I took all the time I wanted to explore the caves. It was great for me. I was in no rush and actually used close to 3 - 4 hours walking around the grounds. But the best thing for myself was not having to worry about anybody else. I snapped a ton of pictures, casually stopping and looking for the most memorable spots. It was terrific. I wish all the Caves/Cavernous Parks out there could be like Carlsbad. Yes I'm talking about you Mammoth Cave and Wind Cave National Parks!....lol, your tours were disappointing letdowns! And...it was so photogenic being underground here. For me...the picture taking opportunities won me over completely. And people going about their own paces...the caverns were definitely large enough for everyone to be spaced out from each other. I tell ya...Carlsbad Caverns was huge!! The walking path around Carlsbad Caverns was really long as well! Here were just a few areas where I can recall the best highlights. They should not be missed. Be on the lookout for them... - Devil's Spring - Green lake Room - Fall Survivors - The Boneyard - The Big Room - Hall of Giants - Fairyland - Top of the Cross - Bottomless Pit - Speleothom Panorama Btw, there were probably 50 different numbered points and attractions featured down below in the caverns. That's why when taking my time...I used up about the half the day. But it was so fulfilling and worthwhile to do things when and how I felt like it. I just had to ride the elevator back up to the Visitors Center and Gift Shop by closing time which was 4pm. Also back at the surface level, there was a 2nd more extensive Souvenir Store with a small cafe for snacks situated in the back. This 2nd store was open to the public but the cafe was closed because of the pandemic. Finally, this Pandemic Summer of 2020 was perfect for me touring Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The fact that the Park Rangers allowed tour groups to disperse allowed me to explore on my own terms. I wish it would stay like this forever and all caves would adopt this type of policy going forward. But I'm certain at some point in time, when life returns to normal...us tourists will go back to being crammed inside the caves on timed tours where we're all rushed and not afforded enough chances to bask among nature's natural wonders.

Beautiful place with extremely kind rangers! Had a great time doing the 8:30am self-guided trail. There are three separate gift shops so you are sure to get souvenirs for everyone's taste! There were also great opportunities on the road leading to the cave to read educational plaques about the history of the cavern landscape. The only thing I will critique is their wording - "Indian" in reference to Native Americans and indigenous culture is taboo - please use your position to use respectful words!

Super cool! Here's some things to know as of March 2021 if you want to see the Caverns like a pro. If you want to see the Caverns like a rookie I'll cover that at the end. Pro: 1. Arrive early. First tickets go on sale at 8 but by 7:30 there was already a line. Only 1,000 total tickets per day are sold, no online reservations. 2. Be COVID conscious. Obviously have a mask, but once you're down in the Caverns avoid touching the handrails and give others space. 3. Hike or elevator in, but must elevator out. If you have extra time on your hands you can choose to hike down to the Caverns, or just take the elevator, but everyone must take the elevator out. I arrived first in line at around 7:15, and was first in the elevator (one only party in elevator at a time and I was solo). So I was first in the caverns for the day and essentially had it all to myself, it was awesome. HOW TO SEE THE CAVERNS LIKE A NOVICE: 1. Arrive late. The last tickets are sold at 2:15 so arrive at 2:30 2. Don't bring money. You must pay for a ticket if you don't already have a pass. 3. Don't bring a mask. 4. Wear high heels or flip flops. ***Note, do not do anything in the novice section***