Best trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park invites exploration of its vast limestone cave system via a steep 1.25-mile descent on the Natural Entrance Trail or a gentler route via elevator to the Big Room Trail. Ranger-led tours require separate reservations. Surface trails and a 9.5-mile desert drive offer glimpses of Chihuahuan Desert shrubland, grassland and woodland ecosystems, while Rattlesnake Springs provides a riparian oasis for bird and wildlife viewing. The visitor center offers timed-entry tickets, parking, exhibits, a bookstore and a snack area.
Top trails
Visitor info
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.
Entrance fee provides access to Carlsbad Cavern by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. It also has a wheelchair accessible theater, gift shop, bookstore, and restaurant.
Ranger-led programs in the park are not considered wheelchair accessible due to the rugged and steep conditions.
Additional information about accessibility at Carlsbad Caverns National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. It also has a wheelchair accessible theater, gift shop, bookstore, and restaurant.
There is an elevator that provides access to The Big Room cavern and trail. Small oxygen tanks are allowed in the cavern for medical purposes.
The Natural Entrance trail is not considered wheelchair accessible due to its steep grade and is not recommended for those with heart or breathing conditions. Strollers are only allowed on this trail if they are medically necessary for the child.
The Visitor Center Picnic Area at the far east end, Walnut Creek Drive Picnic Area, and Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
The Bat Flight Program area has accessible parking, and the top row of the amphitheater has a reserved area for those using wheelchairs. There is also a wheelchair accessible bathroom at this location.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park in designated areas. Service animals are not allowed on off-trail cave tours for the safety of the animals and resource protection.
Service animals are not permitted on the following trails: Left Hand Tunnel, Lower Cave, Hall of the White Giant, Spider Cave, and Slaughter Canyon Cave.
Trail reviews for Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The big room is incredible! We weren’t expecting much but what a nice surprise to experience Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It’s off the beaten path but worth seeing if you’re anywhere near the area.
First time to Carlsbad Caverns and it did not disappoint!
Well maintained trail inside of Carlsbad Caverns park. Beautiful conditions.