National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Carlsbad Caverns National ParkTemple of the Sun in the Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern.
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Park Fun
 
Three new Junior Rangers show off their patches to Flat Stanley.
NPS Photo
Three new Junior Rangers show off their patches to Flat Stanley.

If you and your family are planning a visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, here are just a few of the fun things you can do while you're here...

Bat Flight
From mid-May to mid-October, watch as several hundred thousand Brazilian (or Mexican) free-tail bats exit Carlsbad Cavern right around sunset.

Cave Tours
Everyone in the family can go on the self-guided tours of Carlsbad Cavern. Strollers are not allowed in the cave, so you might want to bring a baby backpack.

Children must be at least 4 years old to go on the Kings Palace tour; 6 years old to go on the Left Hand Tunnel and Slaughter Canyon Cave tours; and 12 years old to go on the Lower Cave, Hall of the White Giant and Spider Cave tours.

Junior Ranger
The Junior Ranger program teaches children about the parks surface and underground resources. Younger children will color and draw, and find objects in a visual scavenger hunt. Older children will complete word searches, and write stories and poems. The Junior Ranger booklet is available for a nominal fee at the bookstore in the visitor center.

KidsCorner
KidsCorner is our summer visitor center program, designed for elementary-aged kids. They'll learn about bats, caves, plants and animals of the desert. Then they'll participate in a fun activity that might include an arts and crafts project or a game.

ParKids
Each summer, the park hosts two week-long daycamp sessions (known as ParKids) for local school children. The daycamp teaches children about the natural environment and the need to protect its resources, while helping them become better stewards of the land.

To take a peek at the 2007 ParKids daycamp, check out Perfectly ParKids

Crawl around on the Spider Cave tour!
Cave Tours
What tour is right for you?!
more...
Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule
When does your tour start?
more...
Click here for guided tour reservations.
Make reservations online or call 1.877.444.6777.
There’s limited space on guided tours... make your reservations now!
more...
Ice-age sloth  

Did You Know?
Bones from ice age animals like jaguars, camels, lions and giant sloths have been found in the entrance areas of some caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Last Updated: May 12, 2008 at 02:32 EST