Headed For Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico? Better Read This

Summer vacation season is here and the long Labor Day Weekend is coming up fast. If a weekend getaway to Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico is on your list, keep reading.

Whether it's a long, multi - day stay, an overnighter or just a day trip; Carlsbad Caverns is well worth the short drive from El Paso. It's less than 3 hours away and is home to, among other things, the largest, fully accessible, cave chamber in North America.

Carlsbad Caverns is located about 150 miles east of El Paso, near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Carlsbad Caverns official hours are 9am - 5pm for the gift shop and 9:30am - 2:30pm to enter the caverns. You can buy tickets at the gate, get them online or you can order by phone at (877) 444-6777. Reservations are highly recommended.

Reservation times are semi firm. For example, if you have tickets to enter the caverns at 11am, you don't have to enter at exactly 11am. You have until 2:30 to start your visit, you just can't go in before 11am. Nobody is allowed to enter after 2:30.

What Should I Wear?

Hiking boots or very sturdy shoes. (Sandals, flip flops, etc are NOT recommended.) You may want to bring a jacket if you're cold natured - the caverns stay at a steady 56 degrees year round, no matter what season it is. You can also bring drinking water.

Dont's: Tripods, bi-pods, mono-pods and hiking poles are not permitted. Candy, tobacco, vaping products, or gum are also not permitted inside the cavern. The underground lunchroom provides drinks, sandwiches and salads. - krqe

How Long Is It?

The most popular, self guided tour/trail goes to the big room and is about 1.25 miles long. (Map) It takes about an hour and a half to walk. PRO TIP #1: There's a shortcut that brings the length down to less than a mile and the time to about 45 minutes.

What About Other Trails?

There are other, steeper trails you can follow but they are tougher and not recommended for those with heart or respiratory conditions. PRO TIP #2: No matter what condition you're in, there's an elevator you can take back up. Trust me, it's the way to go.

Be sure and bring your phone and/or camera. Photography, including flash photography, is totally cool. Except during the bat program. During that, phones and all other electronics are prohibited ... they mess with the bats.

PRO TIP #3 - The bat flights take place from April - October, peaking in August and September. (That's when all the new, baby bats join in.) They fly at sunset, (exact time varies), and it's free to watch 'em but seating is first come, first served.