Carlsbad Caverns
National Park

Established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef, the park contains 86 known caves, including the nation's deepest limestone cave—1,567 feet (478m)—and third longest. Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless formations, is also highly accessible, with a variety of tours offered year-round. Established first as a National Monument on October 25, 1923, it was made a National Park on May 14, 1930. Carlsbad Caverns National Park became a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1995. Special Notice: Flash cameras are no longer permitted at the Bat Flight program. Please leave them in your car.

 

ACREAGE:

VISITATION:
Park use is highest in the months of June, July, and August, and generally on weekends and holidays. January is the least busy month. From 1984 to 1998, total annual visitation ranged from 522,068 (1998) to 688,739 (1992).
 
ADDRESS:
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3225 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220
 
TELEPHONE:
(505) 785-2232
e-mail: cave_interpretation@nps.gov
 
OPERATING HOURS AND SEASONS:
The park is open every day except for December 25. Tickets sales begin at 8:30 a.m. During the summer season (Memorial Day to mid-August) the visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and self-guided cave tours are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the rest of the year the visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and self-guided cave tours are available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
 
Please note: Beginning on the first Sunday in April, Carlsbad Caverns is on Mountain Daylight Saving Time; Mountain Standard Time begins on the last Sunday in October.
 
CLIMATE AND RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
The cave climate is cool and varies little from the annual 56F (13C) average. A light jacket or sweater, and comfortable shoes with rubber soles for good traction are appropriate year-round.
 
DIRECTIONS:
Visitors arrive by way of U.S. Highway 62-180 from either Carlsbad, New Mexico (23 miles to the northeast) or El Paso, Texas (150 miles to the west). A scenic 7-mile (11.3 km) entrance road leads from the park gate at Whites City to the visitor center and cavern entrance.
 
TRANSPORTATION:
Carlsbad is served by Greyhound and TNM&O bus lines. Mesa Airlines offers passenger service between Carlsbad and Albuquerque. Major airlines serve Albuquerque, El Paso, Lubbock, and Midland, Texas. Rental cars and taxi service are available from the airport at Carlsbad.
 
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Self-guided tours of the Natural Entrance and Big Room are $6.00 for adults; $3.00 for Golden Age/Golden Access Passport holders; $3.00 for children ages 6 through 15; children under age 6 are free. Golden Eagle Passports are not valid for cave entry fees. The Cavern Guide, a CDRom audio tour of the two self-guided routes, is an additional $3.00. Kings Palace Guided Tours (minimum age 4 years) are an additional $8.00 for adults, and $4.00 for ages 6-15 and Golden Age Passport holders (reservations required). Guided tours of Slaughter Canyon Cave are $15.00 for adults, and $7.50 for ages 6-15 and Golden Age/Golden Access Passport holders. Guided wild cave tours of Spider Cave, Lower Cave, and Hall of the White Giant are $20.00 for adults, and $10.00 for ages 12-15 and Golden Age/Golden Access Passport holders. Guided tours of Left Hand Tunnel are $7.00 for adults and $3.50 for ages 6-15 and Golden Age/Golden Access Passport holders.
 
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Information center, exhibits on bats, geology, history, and Lechuguilla Cave, limited picnic facilities. Picnicking and excellent bird-watching opportunities at Rattlesnake Springs.
 
Trails, Roadways:
Accessible nature trail and other backcountry hiking trails, 9-mile (14.5 km) Walnut Canyon desert loop drive.
 
Programs, Activities:
Self-guided cave tours with the Cavern Audio Guide, ranger-guided cave tours, audio-visual programs, talks, hikes and demonstrations. Evening bat flight programs May through October.
 
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
Not available in the park. Lodging and camping are both available in Whites City near the park entrance and in Carlsbad, 23 miles northeast.
 
Food, Supplies:
The Cavern Supply Company, (505) 785-2281, provides food service, kennels, and a gift shop at the visitor center. Restaurants, groceries, and fuel are available at nearby Whites City and Carlsbad.
 
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
The Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Association operates a large bookstore in the visitor center, with titles on caves, bats and the natural history of the Chihuahuan Desert.
 
Accessibility:
The visitor center and a large section of the self-guided Big Room tour are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs. An outdoor nature trail and picnic sites near the visitor center and at Rattlesnake Springs, are also accessible.
 
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Participation in various cave tours matching interest and physical abilities, summer bat flight viewing, surface ranger programs, wildlife observations, and participation in educational seminars offered in the summer through the Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Association.
 
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations are recommended for all guided cave tours, but are unnecessary for the basic self-guided tours of the Natural Entrance and Big Room. To make reservations by telephone call 1-800-967-CAVE.
 
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
The basic self-guided cave tour of the Big Room takes 1.5 hours. For a more complete visit including several guided cave tours and surface ranger programs, plan on visiting for 1 to 3 days.
 
VISITOR IMPACTS:
Call for information on road closures due to flooding or icy conditions (rare).

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3225 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(505) 785-2232
E-mail: cave_interpretation@nps.gov
 
Last Update: Friday, 09-Jul-99 18:53:47
http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm
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