Tour Description

Tour through four highly decorated chambers with a variety of cave formations descending to the deepest portion of the cavern open to the public at 830 feet deep. Rangers briefly turn off all artificial lights to reveal the natural darkness of the cave. The trail is paved however, there is a steep 80 foot hill you must go down and then back up at the end of the tour. Participants must wear sturdy walking shoes and are required to have a general admission & tour ticket. Prices for Interagency Senior and Access pass holders are for those pass holders only. All others must purchase a separate full priced ticket.

Tour Details

• Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.
• Distance: 1 miles
• Number of Steps: 15
• Accessible: No
• Effort: Easy

Important Information

Operational Hours: Winter Hours-Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cave is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Last General Admission entry into cave via natural entrance is 2:00. Last General Admission entry into cave via elevator is 3:30. Summer Hours-Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cave is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last General Admission entry into cave via natural entrance is 3:30. Last General Admission entry into cave via elevator is 5:00PM.

Accessibility

There is no handicap accessibility on this tour.

Amenities

Restrooms are located in the Visitors Center and in the cave. There is a restaurant in the Visitors Center as well as limited food available in the Underground Lunchroom in the cave. Bookstore & gift shops are located in the Visitors Center. Kennel Services are available.

Directions

Visitors arrive by way of U.S. Highway 62/180 from either Carlsbad New Mexico (23 miles to the northeast) or El Paso Texas (150 miles to the west). A scenic 7-mile entrance road leads from Whites City to the visitor center and cavern entrance.