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Cave · Carlsbad, New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns
Main cavern of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring the Big Room—one of North America’s largest underground chambers—and the bat flight at dusk from May to October.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Cavern is in the Guadalupe Mountains, about 40 km from the city of Carlsbad, and is the principal cave among the park’s more than one hundred caves. It formed in a limestone reef of an ancient sea about 265 million years ago, dissolved by sulfuric acid from petroleum and gas deposits. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995.
The heart of the visit is the Big Room, a chamber of about 33,000 square meters, roughly 230 meters below the surface, traversed by a trail of about 2 km among stalactites, stalagmites, columns and pits. Formations such as the Hall of Giants and the Bottomless Pit are along the way. To reach it, visitors choose between the elevator and the natural entrance trail, a steep zigzag descent of about 2 km through the cave mouth. Return is always by elevator.
From May to October, at dusk, hundreds of thousands of free-tailed bats exit the natural entrance to hunt insects, in a flight that lasts from a few minutes to more than an hour. Park rangers give a presentation at the amphitheater by the entrance before the bats emerge. During the flight, cell phones and cameras must be turned off.
Cave entry requires a timed reservation made in advance, in addition to the paid ticket. Inside, the temperature stays around 13 °C year-round; bring a light jacket.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to four hours, plus one hour for the bat flight.
Best time
Morning for the cavern, which is the same in any weather. From May to October, stay for the bat flight at dusk, with more bats in late summer.
How to get there
From Carlsbad, take US-62/180 south to Whites City and the park road of about 11 km to the visitor center.
Tip
Book your timed reservation in advance, especially in summer. Descend via the natural entrance if you are well prepared and return by elevator; wear closed shoes with good grip.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Carlsbad Caverns
Do you need a reservation to visit Carlsbad Caverns?
Yes. Cave entry requires a timed reservation made in advance, in addition to the paid ticket at the visitor center. Check availability on the park’s website.
When does the bat flight at Carlsbad occur?
At dusk, from May to October, at the natural cave entrance. Rangers give a presentation in the amphitheater beforehand; the time changes with sunset, and the bat emergence is not the same every day.
Can you visit the Big Room without descending the trail?
Yes. Elevators take you from the visitor center to Big Room level, and the chamber trail is mostly flat. The natural entrance trail is optional and steep.