National park · New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A 119-cave New Mexico park whose Big Room is the largest single cave chamber in North America — and whose summer evening bat flights send up to 400,000 Brazilian free-tailed bats spiraling out of the natural entrance.

Entrance
$1 timed entry reservation - location
Hours
9:00AM - 2:30PM daily Hours
Established
May 14, 1930
Region
Desert Southwest
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
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History

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is renowned for its extensive and well-preserved cave system, including the Big Room, the largest chamber in North America. It was established to protect its unique geological features and has been recognized as a World Heritage Site since 1995.

Key events

  1. In 1898, Jim White explored the cavern using a homemade wire ladder and named many of its rooms and formations.
  2. Carlsbad Caverns was initially designated as a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923 before becoming a national park.
  3. Until 1932, visitors had to walk down a switchback ramp 750 feet below the surface to access the caverns.

Trails

  • Big Room Trail 1.25 mi · Easy
  • Natural Entrance Trail 1.25 mi · Moderate
  • Rattlesnake Canyon Trail 6 mi · Hard
  • Walnut Canyon Desert Drive 9 mi · Easy
  • Yucca Canyon Trail 6.5 mi · Hard

Plan your visit

Hours · Hours

9:00AM - 2:30PM, every day

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open 24-hours a day. Visitor center hours and cave tour schedule vary throughout the year.

Entrance fees

  • Timed Entry Reservation - Location $1
  • Per Person $15

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Spring. Desert wildflowers, bat emergence begins mid-May, mild temperatures
  • Fall. Largest bat populations in August-September, comfortable desert temps
  • Summer. Peak bat activity, all tours available, but hot 90-100°F above ground
  • Winter. Cave maintains 56°F year-round, fewer crowds, occasional snow

Wildlife

Brazilian free-tailed batsCave swallowsMule deerJavelinasRoadrunnersGolden eaglesWestern diamondback rattlesnakesRingtails

Nearby patches

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