Here's Carlsbad Caverns completely exceeded my expectations. Pictures don't do it justice--the caverns are absolutely huge, and the rock formations are incredible. We decided to walk in through the natural entrance, and although it's a steep descent (over 800 feet), it was well worth it. We explored the entire cavern and took the elevator back up, which took us about 3 hours at a relaxed pace. The trails are paved, easy to follow, and very well maintained. Everything is beautifully lit, making it easy to appreciate all the amazing stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations along the way. The staff were friendly and helpful, the restrooms were clean, and I thought it was great that they even have kennels available if you're traveling with pets. There's also a small gift shop inside by the elevator, and once you're back up top, you'll find two more gift shops and a café. If you're visiting when it's offered, don't skip the evening bat flight program. It's such a unique experience and the perfect way to end your visit. I would absolutely recommend Carlsbad Caverns to anyone--it's one of those places you have to see in person. read more

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Weekday timing paid off -- with school back in session, the place was blissfully quiet. Parking was wide‑open, the kind of "pick any spot you want" situation that immediately sets the tone for a low‑stress visit. The highway approach is long and monotonous, but once you turn off US‑62 and slip past the tourist trap of White City, the park road starts winding and rising in a way that feels like you've crossed into a different world entirely. The semis, pump acks, and dust vanish, replaced by a surprisingly scenic climb to the visitor center. Inside, you're greeted by a large gift shop stocked with a mix of forgettable knick‑knacks -- the usual magnets, novelty trinkets, and "did anyone actually ask for this?" souvenirs -- alongside genuinely nice items like well‑made books, quality apparel, and thoughtful geology‑themed gifts. The museum‑side shop feels more curated and appropriate, with fewer gimmicks and more things you'd actually want to bring home. The descent is long, winding, and steep, but absolutely worth it if you're able -- the gradual transition from daylight to the cavern's cool, echoing darkness is one of the best parts of the experience. The caverns themselves were wonderfully empty -- not silent, but calm, with enough space to enjoy the formations without weaving through crowds. Most visitors kept their voices to a whisper, which made the atmosphere feel appropriately reverent. The only real disruption came from the audio‑tour devices: even from a distance, the narration carries sharply through the still air, and encountering groups using multiple units at once breaks the quiet in a way that's hard to ignore. read more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Natural Entrance - Parks Near Me - Carlsbad, New Mexico

First time here and was staying close by Carlsbad. Getting here super easy for a National Park. Parking was easy and close to the visitor center. Visitor center gives a great overlooking view of the valley below. Great educational preview for the caves and bat show. Wear good shoes you will be walking down A Lot ! No flops or crocks your feet will hate you. Bring a backpack for a light jacket and flashlights are allowed. Good for looking into some deep portions of the cave. I brought 2 flashlights one that clipped on my backpack and aimed down so I can see my footing. There are some wet spots in the cave and slipping IS a Possibility. Second one was bright enough to look into deep openings around the caves. My EDC is a Wurkkos TD11 has up to 3k Lumen which is plenty. The pack also had some snacks that you can only eat at the bottom where the food court is. Brought 2 water bottles that were packed with ice and electrolytes. Now the big issue. Cell phones are great but I also brought my insta360 x5. Good for low light and extra batteries. No one up top told me I couldn't bring it in. Mind you I was using just the standard stick. Yes it extends but I only used it as the short stick. I also did bring a clip on rig just in case. 3/4 down was stopped by one Ranger and told yes as long as I didn't extend the stick it was ok. At the bottom by the food court another ranger told me no MUST put it away period. Fine for the main big chamber I used the clip on mount to get my shots. Just be aware that Rangers vary. Yes I was responsible and didn't interfere with the environment. Just wanted to capture the beauty. Now the rest of the story. Lots and lots of down hill switchbacks. Tons of spots to take AMAZING pictures. The bats are just below the entrance of the caves and in a separate chamber. You can spot a few outside that chamber. Way way way way way down you go switchback and beautiful spots of picture taking. Blown away and the final Big chamber. If your planing go for the Ranger led tour as it will bring you further down into deeper chambers! Remember camera restriction as mentioned. Handicap can take an elevator down to the main chamber so they can experience the awe. As for going back up 2 options elevator or hike back up. I love my hips and knees so I chose elevator. As for the bat show. Get there 630pm ish is fine show starts 730p-830p. but do know that if its windy (past 20mph) no bat show as the bats are too small to battle hight winds. If you miss it there is live viewing on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/live/BwiIsjXt3KI?si=uf5eNH9g2KD0hnfl read more

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The rangers and staff were amazing! So friendly and accommodating. You've got to see this cavern! It was a wonderful hike underground with breathtaking views. I really appreciate the self-guided part of the park. You can take as much time as you like, and revisit spots if you have time. Make sure to use the bathroom before you hike, especially if you have children with you. This was my favorite National Park cave! Don't forget to checkout the store and the bookstore. The bookstore has more of the national park stuff, like passports and stamping station. The store has wonderful souvenirs. I took the elevator down and up. read more

I came from Roswell, a couple hours drive, spent a few hours at this park, and then drove out to Ruidoso. It was a brutal day of driving but I did it. In retrospect, the best thing would be to spend a night at Carlsbad town, maybe enjoy the food there and the New Mexico vibe, but I really wanted to make it to the mountains of Ruidoso so I opted for a long drive. The caverns, which are caves with stalagmites and other distinct features, are in the category of a bucket list as one of the most stunning views in the USA. I don't know why I wanted to go here, but when I planned my trip to NM, I knew I had to go there. I had been to other caves, but this underworld inside our planet is so bizarre and foreign that I have to say it is a very interesting sight. If you go during springtime and summer, you will enjoy the flight of thousands of bats, but during my visit in winter, I just enjoyed the caves, the cold, the wind, and thinner crowds. read more

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I'm always impressed at the lengths NPS goes to accommodate all visitors, from infants and toddlers to the elderly; from hardcore hikers to people with mobility issues. How cool is it that they installed elevators in a cavern this deep (750+ feet underground) just to help everyone enjoy the natural wonder? The park is small but packs a big punch. The cavern is obviously the main attraction, make reservations in advance if at all possible to secure your spot. There's a lot to see down there; just a walk to and around the big room will take 90-120 minutes round trip (take the elevator back up). The path is dimly lit and has guard rails throughout, so it's not particularly challenging. And there are restrooms at the very bottom in case nature calls. The cave is really unique, and there are lots of cool formations to learn about throughout the entire descent and in the big room. Well worth a visit! read more

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Free for active duty military! Beautiful drive to the facility and wonderful inside. There's lots to do/look at while you wait for your elevator down to the cavern. They had sculptures, information about the caverns, and even a junior ranger section stocked with books, coloring pages (upon request), and things you could touch. Bathrooms were excellent and super clean. It's easier to make an online reservation to secure your spot, as tickets sell out quickly. The only downside was there was no separate line for online purchases vs in house ones and we ended up missing our 10:00 elevator and had to wait for the next one down. They have several cave tour options-- a descent from the surface, bat show, self guided, etc. We chose the self guided, as we had small children and it seemed easiest. Strollers are not allowed in the caverns (some-- most-- of it is wheelchair accessible though), so we carried our youngest in a hiking backpack. Inside the actual cavern, there are bathroom facilities, a small cafe, and gift shop. You can only eat in the area provided, otherwise you can bring water into the cave. The entire tour took about an hour and a half and was absolutely wonderful. Our kids are pretty young, so they weren't as impressed, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cave was well lit in most places and there were emergency phones scattered throughout. The path was walkable and had guard railings. I let my 20 month old son walk around for some of our time there, but occasionally picked him up because some spots he could duck under the railing and get into trouble/hurt. They recommend that all children be kept within arms length reach and for good reason. During our stay, a little boy got separated from his family. The rangers were extremely kind to him during his wait for his parents' return. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long, but the whole situation seemed to be handled well, especially communication between rangers to locate the boy's family. The gift shop is huge and stocked with everything from pressed pennies, magnets, ornaments, to shirts, gear, and jams/jellies. Outside, there's ample parking and even picnic areas/senic overlooks. If you're in the area, I would make a stop! read more

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The MOST amazing underground caverns I've ever been to. I mistakingly thought I had been here before but realized I never went within a first couple of steps. It's near the southside of New Mexico near the Texas border and was so good I would visit New Mexico just to come here. -You have to make a reservation with a time slow before your visit so plan ahead to make sure you can get in! -You have the option of taking an elevator down to where you can do the main loop. Highly recommended since the hike down is labelled as "strenuous". -We enjoyed hiking down, you will walk down steep, dark, wet and tiring switchbacks the height of the empire state building! It was tiring but such a good into to the cave to start at the entrance and descend deep into darkness. -The main rooms is HUGE and one of the most amazing places I have ever been to, the rock formations keep getting more and more stunning and are at a scale that will humble you. -There is a gift shop and bathrooms all the way on the bottom! read more

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Call me the naysayer. I hated this place. I bought the tickets ahead of time for the timed entry. Self guided big room tour. We decided to do elevator up and down. It's 750' down to the cave. That's like 50 stories. Then it's a 1-1/4 mile loop walk. It's relatively cool, damp and dark in the cave. They have lights everywhere. And some signs you can read. But I didn't see a ranger anywhere in the cave. So why didn't I like it. The whole walkway is paved with railings on both sides. And they have brought lights in. Which made it seem unnatural to me. I almost felt like I was at Disneyland the cave ride. Then as I was walking around - I felt like you see 1 stalagmite you've seen them all. Ok - so I guess one looks like a Chinese theater and another looks like a penis. But they are all stalactites and stalagmites. It was probably the lack of ranger interaction - nobody to ask questions to or give any insight into the caves. So 1-1/4 miles of looking at the same boring crap. Granted it didn't help that some other visitors brought their screaming toddler down there. And that's all I heard the whole time. And when you got near the elevators - they actually have restrooms down there that smell like a sewer. I will 100% say this was the worst national park I ever visited. read more

Spectacular sights and an invigorating hike. I recommend the Natural Entrance if you're able to manage the 1.25 miles at a pretty steady descent. It gives a good sense of the adventurous spirit of the first people who explored these caverns. The Big Room walking tour is a constant revelation of different and amazing formations. A definite bucket list item. Be sure to plan ahead, reserve your time to arrive at least a day in advance, and when you get there you'll get your entry pass for $15 per adult, iirc. read more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Just a sample of amazing formations. - Parks Near Me - Carlsbad, New Mexico

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park as an adult gave me a completely different appreciation for it than I had as a child. I originally came here around the same age as my kids are now, and bringing them to experience it for the first time was something special. The caverns are absolutely massive and hard to fully comprehend until you see them in person. My children were in awe the entire time, constantly stopping to look around and ask questions about how something so enormous and beautiful could exist naturally underground. There's a very well-made walking path that descends deep into the cave system, and the entire experience feels almost unreal. Honestly, I think I enjoyed it even more this time than I did as a kid. I ended up with well over 100 pictures on my phone. The National Park itself is very clean and well maintained. I couldn't remember whether the walking path was exactly the same as when I visited years ago or if parts had been redone, but either way it's impressive. Maybe it just felt longer when I was younger. One thing to know before visiting: the Big Room trail is a pretty long walk and can be challenging for small children or anyone with mobility issues. There is a shortcut option, and I'd definitely recommend taking advantage of that if needed. Also, once you're down inside the caverns there are no gift shops, snacks, or drinks available -- only the elevator back up to the visitor center. Upstairs there's a decent-sized gift shop and a grill with hot food and grab-and-go options, although prices are a little high. A great bonus is that they honor military veterans and law enforcement personnel. Veterans should absolutely look into getting the National Parks Pass, which gives free lifetime access to all national parks and also covers additional people traveling with you. Overall, this is one of those places every family should experience at least once. Pictures don't do it justice. read more

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This was a neat national park! Unique for sure. It's crazy that a giant cavern is right underneath you. The last elevator down is at 2:30 pm so plan accordingly. It is a bit cool down there so bring an extra layer. You can have wheelchair to some parts but you would have to turn around and not do the full loop. It was overall an easy terrain with a railing around the whole thing. We did the audio tour which had some nice facts. There was not a park ranger in the cave that I saw during our visit which seemed unusual. Park rangers manage the elevator though. There is food (cold sandwiches) sold down in the cave. Above ground there's a better cafeteria place that serves hot food. I highly recommend checking out this wonder! It is now a world heritage site as well. We are lucky it has been preserved. read more

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750 ft below the earth, that elevator ride was a trip. This place is beyond amazing with all the natural elements that have built up over many years is just breath taking. You can enter through the entrance of the cave or you can use the elevator to ride down to the start of your 1+hours of walking through the cavern. There are several guides stationed along the way that provide history and information if you have any questions, they are vet knowledgeable. There's also a bathroom down below but it's near the elevator at the end of your walk. I highly recommend this place especially for children as it is amazing to see how on awe that are of something so grand. read more

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This was such a great experience for the entire family! We made reservations online for entry into the caverns by paying $1.00 per person. Gave our reservation to the check-in desk, and made our way to the back of the visitor center to start our tour. It's a self guided tour to the Big Room using the Natural Entrance; and super fun and amazing to see. Had the youngest kiddo in an Ergo on the back, and the older kiddo walked with the adults. Lots of downhill walking, and everything was quite dim, so it's good that we used the flashlight from the hard helmet we got for the kids from the gift shop. No bats visible during our visit, but the formations inside were amazing. I can't believe the air ventilation was so good down there, and I didn't get squared of being so many meters underground. We did the circular path around the entire Big Room, stopped at almost every site, and then took the elevator back to the top. It was efficiently run, and such a national treasure. We missed out on the tour to the Kings Palace, as there were no guides that were hosting the tour, and it can only be visited with a Ranger. Maybe I'll come back again to do that tour one day, or maybe not... :) read more

When we heard that the Caverns would be closing soon because of some budget issues. We wanted to visit it before it is closed and made use of the spring break to go visit this beautiful national park. Located in Carlsbad New Mexico this cave is like a Grand Canyon but just under the ground. The visitor center has a Elevator to take you directly to the cave which is about 700 floors deep down. We chose to walk & it was one of the beautiful hikes we have done. The cave has a large opening and it takes you down hill about a mile and more down to a large hall. The stalagmites and the cave formation is a natures mystery. One has to just wonder how this beautiful place was discovered and how hard it would have been to create a trail for the same. Down inside the cave is one of the best restrooms you will find. Tell me about the view and this is it! If you are nature lover and enjoy the beauty of our world, this place should be in your books! read more

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This place is so amazing! It's the largest cave in the United States. We had so much fun checking it out earlier today. Tickets sold out but luckily we had a reservation. If you are in the area I highly recommend checking it out. It's not something you see everyday! read more

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This was a fantastic trip. A lot of learning and educational events for adults. I recommend renting the audio device to get a better grasp of the canton and it's history. This cavern is natural and formed over time. There are gift shops and places to grab snacks or a meal. $$$ Veterans can get in for free with 3 guests. A light jacket is all you need since you do a lot of walking. About 10k steps and you can do more if you see other parts of the cavern. I was too hungry at that point so skipped it. Bats season is later in the year (summer), so no bats today. This is a great trip for anyone. I can't believe I waited this long to see this place. SPOILER ALERT This cavern used to be under water millions of years ago. Seeing the rock formations was incredible. read more

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This place was fantastic! Loads of walking with photo opportunities that last all day. There's a decent little lunch spot down there in case you get hungry or thirsty. They also have restrooms and a gift shop. read more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - One of two cave entries. This one is a bit stinky because of the bat dun. - Parks Near Me - Carlsbad, New Mexico

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We had an amazing time exploring the caverns. We were able to secure tickets for the Kings Palace tour, stay for the bat flight and experience the Big Room via audio tour which we would highly recommend. Too bad the Lower Room tour is only available on Wednesdays. It is unfortunate that you cannot take pics or video of the bat flight, but do understand that the bats ears are very sensitive and can hear any little noise. Would recommend advertising the audio tours a little better. It is only $5 a tour and well worth it. read more

Such a great park. The ranger gives guests a brief safety speech before entering the cavern. The descent into the cavern is at a 6% grade, but the views are breathtaking. I couldn't get great pictures with my phone b/c it is pretty dark. We packed layers expecting to be cold, but I was comfortable with a lightweight long sleeved shirt and yoga pants. There is an elevator that can be taken down the 80 stories if needed, but I recommend walking down. There is so much to see!! read more

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Eerie, spooky, absolutely stunning and amazing underground caverns. We purchased a National parks pass which covered our entrance. You have the option to hike or take the elevator. We took the elevator down/up and embarked on a 1.5 mile walk in the "Big Room". The stalagmites, stalactites, and formations of all kinds were just incredible and awe inspiring. It wasn't crowded at all, so I was able to really soak in the experience and enjoy it. Afterward we enjoyed some refreshments in the cafeteria before continuing our road trip. Definitely a destination to visit! read more

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The coolest thing we did on our road trip. It's a must to add to your bucket list!!! The caverns walk down is steep but so worth it. Bring a sweater because it gets cool down there. read more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Beautiful Caverns!!! - Parks Near Me - Carlsbad, New Mexico

Easy to say this was stunning. Fresh of our Texas Cave Tours this was a logical next stop and it did not disappoint. The staff was super friendly and we had an amazing time. The self guided to tours was great as it gave us time to check out the cool features of the Caverns. Was a little disappointed that some sections were closed, but the great room was Huge and offered plenty to check out.. read more

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The cavern is great but I don't see a review of the restaurant which is actually very good. We had the tacos and frito chili pie that are both very good. The young man running the place by himself is very helpful and personable. He also keeps the place very clean. It was great for lunch and a lot better than driving 35 minutes to town. read more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Chicken tacos with beans and rice - Parks Near Me - Carlsbad, New Mexico

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park is the best cave system that I've ever visited. It's extremely well designed, clean, and massive! It took about 2.5 hours to self guide through the cave system; you can also add-on a guided tour to another section if you have the time. The audio guide is highly worth it for a small fee, it helps explain how the cave system got to be the way that it is now. This park is definitely worth a visit and it's also very close to Guadalupe National Park, you can easily visit both parks in one trip! read more

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As a lifelong New Mexican, I have been to White Sands quite a few times, but I had never visited our other national park, Carlsbad caverns. On a recent trip with friends, I was able to go and it was such an adventure. Be prepared for some walking, of course. My calves were killing me after this hike, but it is a long way down and it's at a slow incline, but you'll feel it. The caverns themselves are so cool and I highly recommend at least walking down and taking the elevator up. You're able to take lots of pictures and it's such an adventure. read more

Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. It's takes a while to actually get into the park and is 40 minutes away from Carlsbad City. You must go on their website to reserve a spot for each person for $1 (written 6/2025) to go down into the caverns. Highly recommend: Do this in advance!!! We missed our opportunity to go one summer because we didn't pre book. It is free to go into and walk around the area and visitor center. It's even free for you to go watch the bats fly out of the cavern at sunset. This is a pretty cool event. Don't miss it. Make sure to check the time zones for sunset and get there early or if you are at the caverns in the daytime, the Park will have a spot suggesting what time to arrive for the bats. They don't always come out as a big group and time can vary so be patient as these are wild animals. The rangers can help with any further questions. I got too excited and bought entry fee passes at $15 per person ($45) for the self guided tour which takes approximately 1-2 hours to see instead of purchasing the national park pass for $80. FYI: if you plan on going to any other parks within the year, get the park pass. Also if you want any guided tours, you need to pre book. These booked up quicker than just the $1 reserved time spots. We went down the 750 feet inside the elevator to the caverns. You can go to the cave entrance and descend that way also. You will be walking about 80 stories down so if anyone has back or hip problems, I suggest the elevator. My husband and I did the main cave entrance about 17 years ago and our calves were killing us afterwards. It is steep so it will be a workout. In the self guided big cave it can be steep also and there are sections where it is not wheel chair accessible. The cavern is fascinating. I didn't bring my camera this trip but after playing with my cell phone a bit, I got some pretty great shots. Flashlights are permitted and I suggest you bring one. It's fun to use to try to look into some of the darker places. The temperature was great and around the 60's but I was not chilly. I wore scrub like pants and a T-shirt. I am used to dry heat so the humidity did get me and I was sweating. My husband and son handled it fine. Lucky men. There are signs that you can read along the walk to tell of the different formations. The cavern is magical and huge. It's just amazing to be that far under and the formations that grow. It is truly beautiful and definitely an experience you want to have. read more

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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. read more

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Wow and I mean wow. We have done caverns in Texas and in bend Oregon. The Carlsbad caverns are 1,000% better than the others. You walk 1.7 miles dropping down 750 feet below the earths surface. It's cool temperature wise in 50-69 degree range. You can take an elevator back to the surface at the end or hike out. You can stay in the park until dusk and watch thousands of bats flying to hunt. I highly recommend if you are even considering. read more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Start to entrance - Parks Near Me - Carlsbad, New Mexico

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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. read more

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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. read more

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We loved our time at Carlsbad! Be sure to start by getting a timed entry ticket for the Cavern. This simple system is a great way to reduce visitor pressure on resources, and allow people to enjoy their time in the cave without feeling overwhelmed by huge crowds of people. We walked down the cave through the natural entrance, and were awestruck by the various rock formations along the way. Once you make it to the bottom, a series of paths allow you to explore the Big Room of the cave. Make sure to not use flash if you take photos of this spectacular place! If you have accessibility concerns, there is an elevator that brings you straight to the Big Room, and you can access about half of the area via accessible path. After spending a couple of hours exploring the cave, we took the elevator back up to the visitor center and gift shop. You could hike the trail back out, but please beware it is 75 stories (about 750 ft) over a very short distance. Be prepared. We came back later in the day for the bat program. After a brief ranger talk (depending on the bats, about 15-30 min), we got to see hundreds of bats exit the cave for the night. We went early season; more bats are expected as it gets further into summer. Please note, this program requires the participants to be very quiet. It may not be suitable for children who have a hard time staying silent. Any noise can scare the bats back into the cave, ruining the experience for everyone there. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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A must see national park in New Mexico, we went in mid November and I'd just like to recommend that you wear something light as its pretty humid and you will get hot in there with a large jacket from all the walking, take your time to really enjoy it and take a ton of pictures and videos. Its amazing in there and really quiet. read more

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Another place one must experience. There are several other national parks nearby and can hit them all on one road trip. You can walk into this or take the elevator down. There is a bat-watching experience at certain times of the year. When I went, I was one of the first ones down and was able to walk quickly to get ahead of everyone and was able to experience a section by myself for a short time. Sublime experience. read more

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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 read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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