Tour Description

This is the easiest of the adventure tours on unpaved trails. It is an historic lantern-lit tour through an undeveloped section of the cave. Be aware that the dirt trail winds over small uneven slopes and careful footing is required to navigate around cavern pools and fragile formations. Lanterns are provided. The age limit of 6 is strictly enforced. 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: 2 hr. 00 min.
• Distance: 1 miles
• Number of Steps: 0
• Accessible: No
• Effort: Moderate

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.

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.