Point of interest
Carlsbad Canyon Visitor CenterYour main resource for information about the park, as well as the place to purchase entry and tour tickets.
Carlsbad Caverns
Hidden beneath the desert, Carlsbad Caverns National Park reveals a vast underground world of chambers, stalactites, and dramatic limestone formations.
Top Stops
Top places to visit in Carlsbad Caverns, from signature stops to easy additions for the trip plan.
Point of interest
Slaughter Canyon CaveLocated at the end of Highway 418, this is one of the park's many undeveloped caves, also called "wild caves."
Information
Explore Information inside Carlsbad Caverns with park-specific stops and route ideas.
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Basic Information
Fees and ReservationsEntry to the park is free, but if you want to go inside the cavern you have to purchase a three-day entrance ticket.
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Basic Information
Traffic & Travel TipsWith an average of 278 sunny, cloudless days each year, there really isn't a bad time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Auto Tour
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Point of interest
Walnut Canyon Desert DriveThis nine-mile gravel loop is one of the few designated scenic drives in the park.
Point of interest
Highway 418This road is what you'll use to access Rattlesnake Springs in the southern half of the park.
Tours
Explore Tours inside Carlsbad Caverns with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
King's Palace TourThis is one of the easier cave tours offered at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Point of interest
Left Hand Tunnel TourThis tour is moderately difficult and more adventurous than some of the others in the park.
Point of interest
Slaughter Canyon Cave TourThis moderately difficult tour takes you deep inside one of the park's many undeveloped caves.
Point of Interest
Explore Point of Interest inside Carlsbad Caverns with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
Lechuguilla CaveLechuguilla Cave was discovered in 1986 and is one of the largest cave systems in the world.
Point of interest
Natural EntranceThe natural entrance to Carlsbad Cavern is located behind the visitor center, just a short walk along a paved path.
Point of interest
Bat Flight AmphitheaterThe amphitheater features rings of stone benches looking down on the cavern's natural entrance, where thousands of bats emerge nightly.
Hiking
Explore Hiking inside Carlsbad Caverns with park-specific stops and route ideas.
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Point of interest
Big Room TrailThis self-guided trail begins in the Big Room, at the base of the elevators and at the end of the Natural Entrance Trail.
Point of interest
Chihuahuan Desert Nature TrailThis half-mile paved loop trail is located near the park visitor center.
Point of interest
Juniper Ridge TrailThis moderate, three-mile out-and-back hike is located off of Walnut Canyon Scenic Drive.
Parking
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Point of interest
Carlsbad Canyon Visitor CenterYour main resource for information about the park, as well as the place to purchase entry and tour tickets.
Picnicking
Explore Picnicking inside Carlsbad Caverns with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
Carlsbad Canyon Visitor CenterYour main resource for information about the park, as well as the place to purchase entry and tour tickets.
Point of interest
Underground Lunchroom/Rest AreaThis is the only area in the cave where you can buy food, and the only place where you are allowed to eat.
Restrooms
Explore Restrooms inside Carlsbad Caverns with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
Carlsbad Canyon Visitor CenterYour main resource for information about the park, as well as the place to purchase entry and tour tickets.
Point of interest
Natural EntranceThe natural entrance to Carlsbad Cavern is located behind the visitor center, just a short walk along a paved path.
Food
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Point of interest
Carlsbad Canyon Visitor CenterYour main resource for information about the park, as well as the place to purchase entry and tour tickets.
Point of interest
Underground Lunchroom/Rest AreaThis is the only area in the cave where you can buy food, and the only place where you are allowed to eat.
Nearby Parks Around Carlsbad Caverns
Compare nearby parks around Carlsbad Caverns when planning alternatives, extensions, or a follow-up trip.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Carlsbad Caverns
Explore nearby points of interest around Carlsbad Caverns to build stop-level options beyond this park's top picks.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Cavern is one of the world's most famous show caves and forms the heart of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
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Bat Cave
Most of the cave's bat population lives in this underground chamber.
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Carlsbad Canyon Visitor Center
Your main resource for information about the park, as well as the place to purchase entry and tour tickets.
0.0 mi away
Natural Entrance Trail
The Natural Entrance Trail is one of two options for self-guided touring of the cave.
0.2 mi away
Bat Flight Amphitheater
The amphitheater features rings of stone benches looking down on the cavern's natural entrance, where thousands of bats emerge nightly.
0.2 mi away
Walnut Canyon Desert Drive
This nine-mile gravel loop is one of the few designated scenic drives in the park.
