Imagine visiting a place that maintains a cool 55-57ºF even in the scorching summer heat. That’s the unique experience Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers. Just a 2-hour drive from El Paso (a direct route east on Route 62), it boasts the most extensive cavern system in the United States, promising an adventure like no other.
Below, is all you need to know for a successful trip:
Before You Head Out To The Caverns
Before heading to the caverns, the most important thing is to make a reservation online. You will pay a $1 fee per person to reserve your time slot online. At the visitor’s center, you can choose from a few pass options. This list was taken directly from the NPS website:
It’s important to note that the National Park Service offers free passes for 4th graders during the summer, and this offer lasts through August. Take advantage while you can, mama! More information about the 4th grade pass is located here.
Getting Out To The Caverns
On our drive there, our car shifted into the central time zone, which meant we would be an hour late for our reservation. Thankfully, the park is in Mountain time, so we were on schedule. When you turn into the park from Route 62, you have another 10-13 minutes of driving until you get to the visitor’s center.
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Our Family’s Trip Experience
We had to wait in line for about 30 minutes, but we also found out that the day before, the park was closed due to a power outage, so there were more people than usual. We checked in and headed to the natural entrance into the caverns.
If you are in average physical health, the natural entrance is an excellent way to get into the caverns, but it is downhill at about a 20% grade. There is also an elevator for those who want to skip the downhill walk.
The caverns’ temperature stays around 55-57 degrees, so it is recommended that you bring a light sweatshirt. After being in the El Paso heat for the last couple of months, we welcomed the chilly climate.
Plaques explain certain aspects of the caverns’ history and layout throughout the walkway. There are also plenty of places to step off the path and rest if needed (or take pictures!).
We had two toddlers with us, and it took us two hours to explore the entire cavern. Maps offer shortcuts for those who might want to finish quickly. At the end, we took an elevator back up to the main floor of the visitor’s center. The kids walked the whole time but they were ready for snacks at the end!
Unique Feature: The Bat Flight
Every evening, right around sunset, you are invited to sit in the theater to watch the bats exit the cave for their nightly hunting activities. We did not stay, but we hope to revisit to experience it some day. If you are an early riser and would like to witness that, they return to the cavern around sunrise.
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Important Tips for a Successful Trip
Some things to remember as you plan your trip to Carlsbad Caverns:
- Pack snacks but leave them in the car in a cooler (they ask you not to bring them into the caverns).
- Bring a light jacket.
- Wear good shoes with grip; the walkway is steep in some places.
- Bring a light source like a headlamp or cell phone light for darker areas.
- The last entrance to the cave is at 2:30 PM.
- Strollers and wagons are not allowed.
Take the time to experience this underground magic if you get the chance. It is worth the trip.
