Good to know
- Tickets
- The park charges an entry fee per person, covered by the America the Beautiful pass. A small-fee timed-entry reservation from Recreation.gov is also required for the cavern. Check nps.gov for current rates.
- Time needed
- Half a day for the Big Room and Natural Entrance; add an evening for the bat flight.
- Best time
- Any time of year, since the cave stays cool. Bat flights run from about late May to October.
- Getting there
- Carlsbad is about 30 minutes away, with Whites City at the park turnoff. El Paso International Airport is about 2.5 hours away by car.
Where to stay nearby
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park questions
Do I need a reservation for Carlsbad Caverns?
Yes. A timed-entry reservation is required for everyone entering the cavern, including pass holders and children.
Should I walk in or take the elevator?
Walking down the Natural Entrance takes about an hour and is steep but dramatic. The elevator goes straight to the Big Room and back.
When can I see the bats?
The bat flight happens at dusk from about late May to October, at the amphitheater by the Natural Entrance.
