Bat Flight Program
Enjoy an evening ranger talk about the park's population of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats and experience their emergence from Carlsbad Cavern.
0-60 Minutes Summer, Fall
First Person Interpretation
National Park · NM
Things to do in Carlsbad Caverns
The National Park Service lists 17 things to do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. 13 have no extra fee, 13 need no reservation, and 4 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail
Enjoy views of the Guadalupe Mountains and explore Chihuahuan Desert plant life along this short 0.7 mile (1.1 km) loop trail.
30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Explore the Cavern at Your Own Pace
The Big Room and Natural Entrance trails can be enjoyed at your own pace. The Big Room Trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. The Natural Entrance Trail is strenuous. Enjoy one or both to experience a variety of cave formations.
1-3 Hours Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT)
This trail covers 100 miles (161 km) through Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lincoln National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Over 20 miles (32 km) of this trail is within Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
5-6 Days Winter, Spring, Fall Reservation required Fee applies
Juniper Ridge Trail
Enjoy the Chihuahuan Desert in a serene landscape along this 3.5 mile (5 km) trail.
3 Hours Year-round
King's Palace Tour
The King's Palace Tour takes visitors through four highly decorated chambers and the deepest portion of the cavern open to the public.
90 Minutes Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
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Lower Cave Tour
In 1924, National Geographic expedition members wrote about the wonders of Lower Cave. Visitors today can see the evidence left behind from those and other explorers.
3 Hours Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Lower Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
Follow down a canyon for 3 miles (4.8 km) and enjoy a variety of Chihuahuan Desert plants.
3 Hours Year-round
Night Sky Programs
Enjoy the night sky at Carlsbad Caverns National Park during a ranger-led night sky program.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Old Guano Trail
This 3.7 miles (6km) trail descends the escarpment, ending at the White's City campground.
2 Hours Year-round
Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area
Have a relaxing picnic among tall cottonwood trees and watch for a variety of birds.
Year-round Pets allowed
Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail
A scenic 0.5 mile (1 km) hike that leads to viewpoints overlooking Slaughter Canyon.
90 Minutes Year-round
Slaughter Canyon Trail
This 5.3 mile (8.6 km) hike travels up Slaughter Canyon with mountains towering above.
7 Hours Year-round
Upper Rattlesnake Canyon Loop Trail
A moderately difficult 6 mile (9.6 km) loop trail in the park's wilderness.
4 Hours Year-round
Walnut Canyon Desert Drive
Discover canyon views, desert plants, and wildlife along this unpaved road.
1 Hour Year-round Pets allowed
Walnut Canyon Overlook Trail
This short 180 yards (165 m) paved walkway provides great views of Walnut Canyon.
5 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Yucca Canyon Trail
This is a difficult 7.7 mile (12.4 km) trail that climbs quickly up a side canyon to the top of an escarpment.
9 Hours Year-round
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Carlsbad Caverns. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — things to do on nps.gov