High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.
46.8Kacres of parkland
410.8Krecreation visits, 2025
Mar · Apr · Octnearby climate picks
Seasonal access & reservations
No reviewed guidance for this selection. Check the park's official planning pages; missing coverage does not establish access.
Selected guidance only; separate from climate comfort and current conditions.
Official conditions Not checked
The conditions feed has not been connected for this park.
Allow 1 day for a first look. A useful base: Carlsbad / White's City.
Cavern entry and special tours may require advance reservations. Check elevator access and tour availability.
A day-by-day starting point
01
DAY 1
The Big Room experience
Use your reserved entry time to explore an available cavern route that suits your mobility and stamina. Add surface exhibits, and a bat-flight program when offered seasonally.
Editorial recommendations, reviewed 2026-10-17. Full park days, excluding travel to and from the region. A first-visit outline for a general traveler; adapt to mobility, fitness, season, reservations, and current conditions. These are suggested days, not reserved activities or guaranteed routes.
Experience the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails at your own pace.
Explore Carlsbad Cavern at your own pace on these two trails. Access is available by elevator or hiking and requires an entrance ticket. Notice: All visitors who enter the cavern are required to walk on bio-cleaning mats after exiting. This extraordinary measure is due to the potential presence of the fungus which causes White-nose Syndrome in New Mexico.
The most popular route, the Big Room, is the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. This 1.25 mile (2 km) trail is relatively flat, and will take about 1.5 hours (on average) to walk it . Actor and comedian Will Rogers called the cavern, "The Grand Canyon with a roof over it." You will be rewarded with spectacular views, cave formations of all shapes and sizes, and a rope ladder used by explorers in 1924. If you are seeking a shorter experience , the Big Room has a shortcut which reduces the walking distance to about 0.6 miles (1 km) . The hiking time is about 45 minutes . Parts of the Big Room Trail are wheelchair accessible. You can ask for more information about accessibility at the visitor center. You may also download our Accessibility Guide . Browse photographs of the Big Room in our photo gallery .
NPS / Peter Jones
Natural Entrance Trail
The 1.25 mile (2 km) Natural Entrance Trail is extremely steep. Depending on if you decide to hike up or down, you gain or lose about 750 feet (229 m)—equivalent to walking up or down a 75-story building. The hike takes about one hour (on average) to complete . This trail is not recommended for visitors with heart or respiratory conditions. You have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of early explorers as you see formations like Devil's Spring, the Whale's Mouth, and Iceberg Rock. The Natural Entrance is not an accessible trail. Browse photographs of the Natural Entrance Trail in our photo gallery .
Backcountry and Trail Closures Due to Flood Damage
The following areas and trails are closed: Guadalupe Ridge (visitor center to Slaughter Canyon Trail) Rattlesnake Canyon Juniper Ridge. Click for more information...
The following areas and trails are closed:
Guadalupe Ridge (visitor center to Slaughter Canyon Trail)
Rattlesnake Canyon
Click for more information...
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir Surface hiking at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great and rewarding way to experience the environs of the Guadalupe Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert. Stop by the visitor center and ask a park ranger about the current and forecasted park conditions before heading out. Be prepared! Understand that mental attitude and adequate water and food consumption are absolutely essential to the success of any hike. The day hiker and the overnight backpacker must be equally prepared for the lack of water, extreme temperatures, and isolation in the backcountry. Safety is your responsibility. Planning is important, but also knowing how to be self-sufficient in case you encounter an unexpected hazard or an emergency occurs.
NPS / Lauren Miller
Bring the 10 Essentials
Layers of clothing
Flashlight or headlamp
Pocket knife or multi-tool
Sun protection (for eyes and skin)
Food (hiking drains energy quickly)
Water (2 quarts (1.9 L) per two hiking hours)
Sturdy shoes or boots (to protect against desert plants)
Navigation (topographical map and compass)
Emergency shelter (for rapidly changing weather)
Safety and Protecting the Desert Environment
Help protect the fragile desert environment by staying on established trails, avoid stepping on biological soil crusts, and do not shortcut switchbacks. Trails are typically marked by signs or rock cairns.
Let the slowest hiker set the pace, and always stay together.
Pets are not permitted on trails or anywhere in the backcountry.
Take breaks often and know your limits. If you can talk while walking, you are at a good speed.
Try to keep a distance of at least 100 yards (91 m) from all wildlife encountered during your hike.
Remember that all park resources—fossils, plants, animals, artifacts, and rocks—are to remain as you find them.
There is no reliable water source in the park’s backcountry. Pack plenty of water—at least one gallon (3.8 L) per person per day.
Remember that your hike time includes the time to your destination and back. Set a turnaround time if your trip is taking longer than planned.
Do not rely on your phone for assistance; reception is limited. Have a backup way of signaling for help if needed such as a whistle or signal mirror.
Try to plan your day to not hiking between 10 am and 4 pm, when high temperatures and direct overhead sun are more prevalent.
If there is lightning, go to low-lying areas away from cliff edges, lone trees, poles, or metal objects. Do not seek shelter in caves or alcoves. Become a smaller target by squatting low on the ground. Place hands on knees or back of neck with head between knees. Minimize contact with the ground and nearby rocks. Be mindful that the area is prone to flash flooding.
The following trail links are sorted by estimated one-way travel times beginning with the shortest.
Enjoy a ranger program and watch thousands of bats emerge from Carlsbad Cavern.
NPS / Nick Hristov
Please join us for the free Bat Flight Program (April through October), an evening ranger talk about bats prior to their flight. No reservations are required for this program that occurs every evening from April through October. The program takes place at the Bat Flight Amphitheater, located at the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. The start time for the program changes as the summer progresses and sunset times change.
Programs may be cancelled in the event of lightning.
Common Questions
How much does the program cost and do I need reservations? The program is free and you do not need reservations. Seating at the amphitheater is first come-first served. Where is the outdoor Bat Flight Amphitheater? The seating area where you will sit to watch the bats is located at the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern, about a five minute walk from the visitor center. When is it best to see lots of bats? The best bat flights normally occur in August through September when baby bats, born in early summer, join the flight along with migrating bats from colonies further north. When do the bats return to the cavern in the morning? The daily pre-dawn return of the bats is different from the evening exit flights, but are just as impressive. Early risers (approx. 4-6 a.m.) can see the bats as they re-enter the cavern with spectacular dives from heights of hundreds of feet. Individual bats may reach speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h) or more. Nursing mothers might be in and out of the cavern through the night as they hunt and return to feed their young. Do the bats fly when it rains? They will if it's not a heavy downpour or accompanied by high winds. May I take pictures during the bat flight? To protect the bats, electronic devices are not allowed at the Bat Flight Program and surrounding area. Electronic devices include cameras of any kind, laptop computers, cell phones, iPads, iPods, tablets, and MP3 players . Observations made by bat researchers have shown that bats who are used to total darkness and silence are disturbed by sounds and light, which can cause changes in their behavior. Besides the risks to the bats, it is very difficult to get good quality photos of a bat flight under any circumstances, and the risks simply aren't worth the results that most visitors get. Photogr
Discover the desert southwest night sky with a ranger.
More dates to be announced
Come explore the night sky through the eye of a powerful telescope. Park rangers will point out space objects near and far. Ages Programs are suitable for all ages. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Cost These programs are free and do not require registration. Visitors should be mindful of their headlights. Turn them off after parking. Park facing toward the visitor center. Use red lens flashlights or headlamps if you have them. Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather.
NPS/ Brian Anschel
This is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) round trip hike along an unimproved trail, marked only by stick posts and rock piles in low-light conditions. Sharp-pointed plants with thorns are very common along the trail with a slight but rocky slope. How to Attend Although these programs are free, attendance will be limited to first-come, first-served with a maximum of 12 participants for each program. Please register for the programs at the visitor center information desk on the day of the program. Registration may be available at the evening's Bat Flight Program. Ask a ranger for more details. Where to Meet All hikes will begin after the Bat Flight Program. Meet the rangers at the park sign in front of the visitor center at the designated program time. Minimum Age 8 years old What to Wear and Bring
Dress comfortable and wear comfortable shoes.
No open-toed shoes.
Long pants are required.
Bring water and a snack.
Please bring a red light flashlight or red light headlamp to preserve your night vision. Ranger will provide red light headlamps if you do not have one.
Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather.
Official NPS features and USGS park boundaries, imported 2026-10-17. An inventory snapshot, not live trail or parking availability.
Loading official park features…
TrailsPoints of interestParkingZoom with buttons or pinch. Toggle layers on the map.
Map coverage varies. Trail names may represent segments, connectors, or shared park units; mapped lines are not a hiking recommendation. Use official conditions and navigation resources before heading out.
NPS public GIS inventory, imported 2026-10-17. “Existing” is an inventory classification, not confirmation that a trail is open. Segment counts are not route distances. Parking records do not indicate space availability, fees, or accessibility certification. View government source ↗
Climate for Carlsbad, 34 km from the park reference point. 1991–2020 normals. Source elevation: 945 m.
Daytime highNighttime lowOctober: 77° / 53°
Daytime high77°
Precipitation30 mm
Daylight11.2 hrs
Wind12.6 km/h
Mountain, rim, valley, and coastal conditions can differ sharply from the source town. Check park forecasts and current conditions before travel.
Monthly climate data 12 months · °F
Month
High
Low
Rain / snow water
Wet days
Daylight
58°
33°
15 mm
2.6
10.1 h
63°
38°
15 mm
2.8
10.8 h
71°
44°
19 mm
3.0
11.8 h
79°
51°
17 mm
2.0
12.8 h
88°
61°
27 mm
4.1
13.6 h
95°
69°
19 mm
4.1
14.1 h
95°
72°
30 mm
5.3
13.9 h
93°
71°
31 mm
6.2
13.2 h
87°
64°
42 mm
5.2
12.2 h
77°
53°
30 mm
4.3
11.2 h
66°
42°
18 mm
2.8
10.3 h
58°
34°
17 mm
2.7
9.9 h
RESEARCH WITH THE SOURCE IN VIEW
The practical field guide.
Official NPS excerpts imported 2026-10-17. Fees, permits, road access, and operations can change; use the source link to confirm the latest information.
Timed Entry Tickets Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern
Reservations are strongly recommended and can purchased online or by calling 877-444-6777.
Reservations are only for selecting the entry time.
Upon arrival at the visitor center, entrance tickets must be purchased.
Physical Address
Operating Hours & Seasons
Visit the Operating Hours & Seasons page to see specific hours for visitor center and cavern access.
Weather Details
All visitors who enter Carlsbad Cavern are required to purchase an entrance ticket, which is good for three days. If you are entering with a pass, please visit the ticket counter for your free admission ticket. Adults (16 and older): $15 per person Children (15 and under): Free Pass Holders: Free
When using an America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Senior Pass, Access Pass, Military Pass or Volunteer Pass, the pass admits the cardholder plus three adults.
Ranger-Guided Tours
All tours remain temporarily suspended until further notice.
Reservations are highly recommended for all ranger-guided tours. To make reservations, call 1-877-444-6777 or go to recreation.gov . Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on any ranger-guided tours. Other age limits apply depending on the tour.
Internet & Cellular Access
Internet & Cellular Access Details
Alerts and other information.
Information on how to obtain permits for camping, special events, research, filming, and reservations for ranger-guided tours.
How to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park with a pet.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers accessible parking, picnicking, dining, and visitor center services.
Experience Carlsbad Cavern
The park offers elevator service into and out of the cavern, where you can access the Big Room Trail. Please review our Accessibility Guide brochure.
The Big Room Trail is the only wheelchair accessible route in the cavern. You will discover this one mile (2 km) trail after you descend 750 feet (229 m) into the Underground Rest Area. Please note the trail is wet from dripping water and can be slippery, bumpy, uneven, and difficult to navigate. It is not Americans with Disabilities Act approved and should only be attempted with assistance. Maps defining the wheelchair accessible areas can be obtained in the visitor center. Due to steep grades and narrowness of the trail, barriers, and signs have been installed to note the portions that are inaccessible in a wheelchair. The Natural Entrance Trail is not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant due to its steep grade (15%–20%) and therefore not accessible with wheelchairs. Service Animals: Please visit our Service Animals information page.
Strollers: Strollers, baby carriages, and similar devices are prohibited in all caves except as necessary for children with mobility issues. If medically needed, they are allowed within the wheelchair-designated portions of the Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern, but never on the Natural Entrance Trail due to the steep grade.
Segways: Segways and similar large mobility devices are prohibited in all caves. Cave conditions pose an unacceptable hazard to the safety of the operators of such devices due to narrow trails, cave ceiling variations, and steep inclines.
Wheelchairs/Devices That Aid Walking: Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and similar devices are permitted in the wheelchair-designated portions of the Big Room only and not in other areas of the cavern or any other caves.
Canes/Walking Sticks: The possession and/or use of a walking stick within the cavern is prohibited, except for those individuals with limited mobility that are medically necessary. Visitors with canes/walking sticks must only use them on the paved trail and are required to have a rubber or soft tip.
Ranger-led tours are not accessible with wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or canes due to difficult and rugged trail conditions. Exception: You may use a cane or walking stick on the King's Palace tour if medically needed, but no wheelchairs, walkers, or scooters.
Park Brochure Audio Description
The park brochure is audio described and can be listened to on the Publications page .
Park Brochure in Large Print Format
The park brochure is available in large print at the visitor center information desk or can be downloaded .
The Western National Parks Association offers audio guides for rent that provide information about the cavern that is interesting and educational as you walk through the cavern. The script is also available for download to your personal device.
ASL Interpreter
We will provide a sign language interpreter with a minimum of two weeks' notice. Please email your questions to CAVE_Park_Information@nps.gov
Bat Flight Program
Reserved, accessible parking is available in the "Bat Flight Disabled Parking" area. Please look for the brown sign with the wheelchair icon before you arrive at the visitor center. The very upper row of the Bat Flight Amphitheater features a reserved area for visitors using wheelchairs. A family style accessible restroom is also available.
Visitor Center Parking
Accessible parking is marked with blue reserved signs. The visitor center, theater, gift shop, bookstore, restrooms, and restaurant can be accessed via ramps from the parking lot. You may enter the visitor center via automatic doors in the front.
Accessible picnic tables near the visitor center are located at the far end of the east parking lot as well as south of the restaurant. A few tables can be found along Walnut Canyon Drive—the main paved road from the park entrance.
A section of the outdoor nature trail near the visitor center is partially accessible to wheelchairs. The trailhead is located in the east parking lot. Please ask a ranger at the visitor center information desk for more details.
Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area
Located about 15 miles (24 km) from the visitor center, this grassy area features picnic tables and cooking grills under large cottonwood trees. Accessible restrooms and an accessible picnic table are available.
Walnut Canyon Desert Drive
A one-hour drive through the Chihuahuan Desert, this low speed, 9.5 mile (15 km) gravel road is suitable for most vehicles except motor homes and cars pulling trailers. The Walnut Canyon Desert Drive begins near the visitor center and a brochure is available upon request at the visitor center information desk.
Roadside Exhibits
Interpretive signs and bulletin boards are located at pull-outs along the park entrance road. Most are readable from your vehicle.
Additional Information
The park does not rent or loan any type of mobility assistance equipment (canes, wheelchairs, or scooters). Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, rubber tipped canes, and walking sticks needed for medical purposes are permitted in the cavern, but recreational walking or hiking sticks (or any kind of stick with a sharp, pointy end) are not permitted.
Please use careful consideration when deciding to walk down the Natural Entrance Trail if you have medical issues such as painful knees, hips, ankles or feet, trouble walking, a heart condition, breathing problems, issues climbing stairs, problems with balance, and/or difficulty seeing in dim light.
Consider that the Big Room has inclines and declines along the walking path. If your mobility is limited, please plan accordingly.
Small oxygen tanks are permitted in the cavern for medical reasons. Ensure you have plenty of oxygen and new batteries for your time in the cavern. If you have breathing problems, you may want to bring a personal inhaler with you due to high humidity in the cavern.
Flashlights and helmets with headlamps are permitted in the cavern.
Make a reservation This park has a timed entry system. You may need to make a reservation in advance. Reservations and timed entry
Get an entrance pass All visitors must have one of these entrance passes: Pass Price Standard Pass $15.00 America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$250.00 Help me choose an entrance pass
Reservations and Timed Entry
Carlsbad Cavern Reservation
Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern
A timed entry reservation must be purchased to access Carlsbad Cavern. In addition, an entry pass must be purchased at the visitor center. Time entry reservations ensure a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations.
Carlsbad Cavern is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years days.
Choosing an Entrance Pass
Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?
If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.
America the Beautiful Pass
How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?
If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.
Entrance Passes
Standard Entrance Pass
For Individuals
All visitors over the age of 16 need an entrance pass, including vehicle passengers. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.
Per Person $15.00
In-person Purchase Locations
Visitor Center Cash or Credit/Debit
America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
National Park Service
US Fish & Wildlife Service
US Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
US Army of Corps of Engineers
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees
America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen . Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.
How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass
Physical passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.
Purchase and pickup locations
To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.
Skip the wait! Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass through recreation.gov. Your digital pass can be saved to a mobile device and used immediately.
Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass
2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to US citizens and residents (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
February 16 : Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
May 25 : Memorial Day
June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
September 17: Constitution Day
October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11: Veterans Day
Ranger-Guided Tours
All tours are temporarily suspended until further notice. When offered, availability on all ranger-guided tours is limited. It's recommended that you plan ahead and reserve early. To make reservations, call 877-444-6777 or go to Recreation.gov . Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on any ranger-guided tours. Other age limits apply depending on the tour.
Pass
Price
Standard Pass
$15.00
America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes)
FREE–$250.00
I'm visiting...
We recommend
This park, once
Standard Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site
America the Beautiful Pass
Type
Available to
Price
Resident Annual Pass
US citizens and residents
$80.00
Non-Resident Annual Pass
Non-US residents
$250.00
Senior Annual Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$80.00
Military Annual Pass
Current US military and dependents
Free
Military Lifetime Pass
Gold Star Family members and veterans
Free
Access Pass
US citizens and residents with permanent disability
Free
4th Grade Pass
US 4th graders
Free
Volunteer Pass
Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours
Free
Pass
Price
Standard Pass
$15.00
America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes)
FREE–$250.00
I'm visiting...
We recommend
This park, once
Standard Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site
America the Beautiful Pass
Type
Available to
Price
Resident Annual Pass
US citizens and residents
$80.00
Non-Resident Annual Pass
Non-US residents
$250.00
Senior Annual Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$80.00
Military Annual Pass
Current US military and dependents
Free
Military Lifetime Pass
Gold Star Family members and veterans
Free
Access Pass
US citizens and residents with permanent disability
Free
4th Grade Pass
US 4th graders
Free
Volunteer Pass
Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours
To access Carlsbad Caverns National Park's only entrance road, Carlsbad Caverns Highway, turn north from US Hwy 62/180 at White's City, New Mexico—20 miles (32 km) southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico and 145 miles (233 km) northeast of El Paso, Texas. The entrance road stretches a scenic seven miles (11 km) from the park gate at White's City to the visitor center and cavern entrance. The address for the park's visitor center is: 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 There is ample RV parking in our west parking lot, which is the first parking lot you see on your left when you arrive at the visitor center. Pull to the rear of the lot for RV spots. Carlsbad is served by Greyhound and TNM&O bus lines. Major airlines serve Roswell and Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Lubbock and Midland, Texas. Rental cars and taxi service are available from the airport in Carlsbad.
Here are some tips to ensure your trip is the safest it can be:
Take time to ensure that the activity you have chosen is the best one for you. All cavern tours, nature walks, and hikes can be strenuous, so be sure you understand what will be required of you before the acitivity starts. If you are unsure, ask a park ranger to explain the requirements.
Some areas of the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails are wet from natural water drips and steep. For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction (e.g. lug soles) are recommended. Flip flops, sandals, and some walking shoes have little or no traction and increase the possibility of slips, trips, and falls.
Visitors under the age 16 must be accompanied by an adult, age 18 or over.
All cavern tours require that you wear shirts and shoes.
Metal framed backpacks or backpacks that extend above the shoulders or of a length that extends below the hips are prohibited (e.g. trekking backpacks).
Walking sticks and canes are permitted on cave tours if medically necessary. They must have a rubber or soft tip.
Smoking is not permitted in the cavern, at the cavern entrance, or inside any of the facilities.
Do not approach or feed animals. All wildlife in the park are wild and feeding them harms their health. Wildlife can be dangerous, even the most harmless looking deer, squirrel, or raccoon.
Be aware while driving. Wildlife such as deer, sheep, and javelina are often visible along the sides of the road. Make sure to use extra caution while driving as these animals may walk into the roadway.
When hiking, always tell others where you are going and the approximate time you are returning.
Report any hazards or suspicious activity to a park ranger.
Backcountry and Trail Closures Due to Flood Damage
The following areas and trails are closed: Guadalupe Ridge (visitor center to Slaughter Canyon Trail) Rattlesnake Canyon Juniper Ridge. Click for more information...
The following areas and trails are closed:
Guadalupe Ridge (visitor center to Slaughter Canyon Trail)
Rattlesnake Canyon
Click for more information...
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir Surface hiking at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great and rewarding way to experience the environs of the Guadalupe Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert. Stop by the visitor center and ask a park ranger about the current and forecasted park conditions before heading out. Be prepared! Understand that mental attitude and adequate water and food consumption are absolutely essential to the success of any hike. The day hiker and the overnight backpacker must be equally prepared for the lack of water, extreme temperatures, and isolation in the backcountry. Safety is your responsibility. Planning is important, but also knowing how to be self-sufficient in case you encounter an unexpected hazard or an emergency occurs.
NPS / Lauren Miller
Bring the 10 Essentials
Layers of clothing
Flashlight or headlamp
Pocket knife or multi-tool
Sun protection (for eyes and skin)
Food (hiking drains energy quickly)
Water (2 quarts (1.9 L) per two hiking hours)
Sturdy shoes or boots (to protect against desert plants)
Navigation (topographical map and compass)
Emergency shelter (for rapidly changing weather)
Safety and Protecting the Desert Environment
Help protect the fragile desert environment by staying on established trails, avoid stepping on biological soil crusts, and do not shortcut switchbacks. Trails are typically marked by signs or rock cairns.
Let the slowest hiker set the pace, and always stay together.
Pets are not permitted on trails or anywhere in the backcountry.
Take breaks often and know your limits. If you can talk while walking, you are at a good speed.
Try to keep a distance of at least 100 yards (91 m) from all wildlife encountered during your hike.
Remember that all park resources—fossils, plants, animals, artifacts, and rocks—are to remain as you find them.
There is no reliable water source in the park’s backcountry. Pack plenty of water—at least one gallon (3.8 L) per person per day.
Remember that your hike time includes the time to your destination and back. Set a turnaround time if your trip is taking longer than planned.
Do not rely on your phone for assistance; reception is limited. Have a backup way of signaling for help if needed such as a whistle or signal mirror.
Try to plan your day to not hiking between 10 am and 4 pm, when high temperatures and direct overhead sun are more prevalent.
If there is lightning, go to low-lying areas away from cliff edges, lone trees, poles, or metal objects. Do not seek shelter in caves or alcoves. Become a smaller target by squatting low on the ground. Place hands on knees or back of neck with head between knees. Minimize contact with the ground and nearby rocks. Be mindful that the area is prone to flash flooding.
The following trail links are sorted by estimated one-way travel times beginning with the shortest.
Be aware that desert temperatures, thorny vegetation, and predators may be a serious threat to your pet's well-being. Please consider the following points before deciding to bring a pet:
Pets are not allowed in the cavern, on unpaved park trails on the surface, off road, during the Bat Flight Program, or in the visitor center.
Pets need to be on a leash no longer than six feet in length when outside your vehicle.
You are not allowed to leave your pet unattended in vehicles . They must be kenneled; more information regarding kenneling below.
Pet etiquette and park regulations require that you always clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in trash receptacles.
Kennel Information
The park concessioner, Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company, operates a kennel service where you may leave your pet in a temperature controlled environment while you tour the cavern. The kennel is for day use only—no overnight stays. Fee: $15/day Vaccine Requirements
For dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella (kennel cough), and Canine Influenza.
For cats: Rabies, Distemper, and Panleukopenia.
Owners are required to show a copy of the pet's vaccination record with the expiration date when boarding a pet. No exceptions. Collar tags don't meet this requirement and won't be accepted.
Please be prepared with pet vaccine information when checking in.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am–3:30 pm Last Time to Drop-Off Pet: 2:15 pm Last Time to Pick-Up Pet: 3:30 pm Reservations are not accepted. This service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. They rarely run out of cage space, but if they do, the larger cages go first. There are three sizes of cages, length x height x width: 49" x 37" x 44" 47" x 24" x 32" 47" x 24" x 24" Pets are kept in cages relative to their size, such as a small dog in a small cage. Water is provided for the pet, but the owner must provide food or bedding if they feel it's needed. The concessioner accepts no responsibility for injuries that might occur during a pet's stay in the kennels. Employees do not handle pets and do not remain in the kennel room with the pets. If you have more specific questions, contact the Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company at 575-785-2281.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures from 90º to the low 100sºF (32º to about 40ºC). On hot days, please use caution. If hiking, bring plenty of water and a cell phone (reception can be spotty in the backcountry), hike early, use sunscreen, and wear a hat. Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early spring (March–May) with frequent rain in late summer/early fall (August–September). This part of the country can also experience cold temperatures in the winter with occasional snow and icy conditions. Most days, the park is enveloped by a gorgeous blue sky with very few clouds, 278 sunny days a year! Weather forecasts are available from the National Weather Service . Current weather conditions at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, an environmentally diverse collection of flora and fauna, and the stories of lives shaped through conflict, cooperation and survival.
Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.
There is a place in Far West Texas where night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. Here, at the end of the road, hundreds of bird species take refuge in a solitary mountain range surrounded by weather-beaten desert. Tenacious cactus bloom in sublime southwestern sun, and species diversity is the best in the country. This magical place is Big Bend...
Mountains
