Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico protects more than 119 caves, but one draws nearly everyone: Carlsbad Cavern, home to the Big Room, the largest cave chamber in North America. You can walk in through the cave’s natural mouth or ride an elevator down, explore at your own pace and, from spring through fall, watch thousands of bats spiral out at dusk.
A visit needs a little planning, starting with a timed-entry reservation. This guide covers the two ways into the cave, the bat flight, booking and fees, and how to pair the park with the Guadalupe Mountains next door.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | About 18 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico |
| Status | National monument from 1923, national park since 1930, World Heritage Site since 1995 |
| Entrance fee | $15 per person 16 and older |
| Timed-entry reservation | Required to enter the cavern, $1, on Recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777 |
| Cavern entry | 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day |
Reservations and fees
Carlsbad Caverns uses a timed-entry system all year. The $1 reservation only books your entry time; you still buy the entrance pass, $15 per person aged 16 and older, at the visitor center when you arrive. Children under 16 need no pass. America the Beautiful passes, such as the $80 resident annual pass, cover the entrance fee.
Entry times run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you plan to walk in through the Natural Entrance, aim for an early slot, because hikers must start down by 2:30 p.m. Book a few days ahead for weekends and holidays.
Natural Entrance or elevator
There are two ways to reach the Big Room, and both are self-guided.
- The Natural Entrance: a paved, switchbacking trail that drops into the cave’s enormous mouth and descends about 750 feet, roughly the route early visitors took before elevators were installed in 1932. It is steep and hard on the knees, but it shows you how the cave opens up from daylight into darkness.
- The elevator: a quick ride from the visitor center straight down to the underground rest area at the edge of the Big Room. It is the easiest option if you have limited mobility or limited time, and the last elevator back up leaves at 4:45 p.m.
Many visitors walk down through the Natural Entrance, tour the Big Room and ride the elevator back up. The cave stays cool all year, so bring a light jacket even in summer.
The Big Room
The Big Room is about 4,000 feet long, 625 feet wide and up to 255 feet high, with a floor area of more than 357,000 square feet. A level, paved loop trail circles it past stalagmites, columns, soda straws and deep pits. It is one of the few cave walks of this scale that most visitors can manage at their own pace, with benches and lighting along the way. Take your time: the scale is hard to grasp until you look back across a room you just spent half an hour crossing.
The bat flight
Each evening from April through October, Brazilian free-tailed bats pour out of the Natural Entrance to feed. The park runs a free Bat Flight Program at the amphitheater beside the entrance, a short walk from the visitor center. No reservation is needed, and seating is first come, first served.
- Timing: the start time shifts with sunset. Check the schedule on the day you visit.
- Best months: August and September, when young bats born in early summer join the flight.
- No electronics: cameras, phones, tablets and other devices are not allowed at the program, to protect the bats.
- Weather: the program may be cancelled during lightning. Bats usually fly through rain unless it is a heavy downpour with strong wind.
Early risers can also watch the bats return between roughly 4 and 6 a.m. As of this writing, the scenic Walnut Canyon Desert Drive and several backcountry trails remain closed after flood damage, so check the park’s alerts if you hoped to hike above ground.
About 40 minutes from the Guadalupe Mountains
Carlsbad Caverns lies about 25 miles north of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, a drive of roughly 40 minutes on US 62/180. The two parks make an easy pair: climb Guadalupe Peak or walk McKittrick Canyon one day, explore the cavern the next, and stay for the bat flight in the evening. Continue west to White Sands or south to Big Bend to turn the pair into a full desert loop.
If you are mapping out a longer trip, our road trip guide to America’s finest parks shows how the Southwest parks compare with the rest of the country.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park FAQ
Do you need a reservation for Carlsbad Caverns?
Yes. A $1 timed-entry reservation is required to enter the cavern, plus the $15 entrance fee per person 16 and older, paid on arrival.
Should I take the Natural Entrance or the elevator?
Walk down the Natural Entrance if you are fit and arrive early. Use the elevator if time or mobility is limited.
When can you see the bats?
Every evening from April through October, with the best flights in August and September.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Half a day covers the Natural Entrance and the Big Room. Stay into the evening from April to October for the bat flight.
