5 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Visit to Carlsbad Caverns

Hi friend!  Are you ready to plan an adventurous trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park?  This park protects 119 known caves, and now it’s your turn to explore this phenomenal underground world!  You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE.

Carlsbad Caverns is a breathtaking place — and likely somewhere you will talk about for many years.  This cave will blow you away with its gigantic rooms covered in spectacular rock formations.  Out of all the caves in the NPS system, this one is by far my favorite!

There are some fantastic things to do here.  You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.

I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details.  I’ve extensively explored Carlsbad Caverns and am here to help!  Whether this is your first time to the cave, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 5 things is for you.

What You Need to Know

• Proper cave etiquette is crucial in this fragile environment.  Please do not touch ANY of the cave formations — the oil on your hands will ruin them.  Clear water is permitted in the cave, but otherwise, no food {unless consumed in the underground snack bar}, drinks, gum, or tobacco is allowed along the cave trails.  Sound travels far down here, so whisper so you don’t disturb the other cave visitors.
• The cave is a chilly 56 degrees with 90% humidity, so bring a sweater — even if it’s 100 degrees outside :).  You’ll also want closed-toed shoes with excellent traction.  Here are a few more things you’ll want to bring with you.
• There are no hotel options within Carlsbad Caverns National Park.  If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, check out Whites City or the town of Carlsbad.  Backcountry camping is available in the park with a permit, but there are no frontcountry campgrounds.  We usually camp in the Chosa Campground or Guadalupe Mountains National Park while in the area.
• Carlsbad Caverns is open year-round, and entrance fees are required.  You’ll pay these fees at the ticket desk inside of the Visitor Center before being welcomed into the cave.  If you have an annual pass, bring it to the ticket desk — it covers your entrance fee and gets you a ticket for the self-guided tour.
• White-Nose Syndrome is a devastating disease that affects bats, and it’s killing off a huge percentage of their population.  To avoid spreading the disease, please don’t wear clothes or shoes that you’ve previously worn in other caves.  Learn more about the steps you can take to protect Carlsbad’s bat population.

I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make this park so popular, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off the beaten path as well.  Let the adventure begin!

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