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Carlsbad Caverns National ParkTemple of the Sun in the Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Cave Tours
 
Start your walk through Carlsbad Cavern on the self-guided Natural Entrance tour.
NPS Photo by Peter Jones.
Start your walk through Carlsbad Cavern on the self-guided Natural Entrance tour.

The cave climate is cool and varies little from the annual 56°F (13°C) average temperature. A light jacket or sweater, and comfortable shoes with rubber soles for good traction are appropriate year-round.

NOTE: Baby strollers are not permitted in the cave. Bring a baby backpack if you need to carry your child.

Children 3 years of age and under are not permitted on any of the guided tours offered at Carlsbad Caverns.

Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult that is at least 18.

We reserve the right to alter any tour due to safety and other conditions.

Self-Guided Tours
The basic cavern entry is by way of two self-guided routes, the Big Room Route and the Natural Entrance Route. Tickets are sold at the visitor center each day, except December 25. Entrance fee tickets are good for three days but do not include guided or other special tours. Summer hours are in effect from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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Guided Tours
Reservations are highly recommended for all guided cave tours. Make reservations by calling 1.877.444.6777 or by visiting the Recreation.gov website. An entrance fee ticket is required in addition to the guided tour fee for Kings Palace, Left Hand Tunnel, Lower Cave and Hall of the White Giant. Note: Children 3 years of age and under are not permitted on any of the guided tours offered at Carlsbad Caverns.
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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!
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The natural entrance of Carlsbad Cavern.  

Did You Know?
In 2003, a park employee found a piece of a stone scraper within view of Carlsbad Cavern's entrance that goes back to Ice Age Indian hunters. In 2004, archeologists found fragments of two spear points of the Midland-style Paleo Indian projectile points of some 10,000 years ago.

Last Updated: June 26, 2007 at 16:24 EST