Who is ready for a road trip to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico? If you are planning an RV trip there--here is what you need to know before you go!

Location of Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns is a national park in southern New Mexico. It is about 300 miles from Albuquerque and almost 500 miles from Dallas. It may be a hike to get there, but it’s well worth the trip; the National Park system boasts many impressive caves, but none can rival Carlsbad Caverns for sheer beauty and grandeur. Carlsbad Caverns is only about half an hour from Guadalupe Mountains National Park in west Texas, so combining the two would make for an excellent week-long vacation.

To listen to Jeremy and Stephanie talk to Gretchen Holcombe about her RV trip to Carlsbad Caverns please click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your podcasts! Gretchen is the creator of the Boxy Colonial and Boxy Colonial on the Road blogs! Make sure to check out her adventures at home and on the road! 

The Main Attraction at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

The main attraction at the park is the caverns themselves, but there are also a number of surface hiking trails of various lengths that take you through the park’s desert landscape. Families with young kids might want to check out some of the shorter trails like the half mile Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, while more experienced hikers can take in the challenging 7.7 mile Yucca Canyon trail.

Cost of Admission to Carlsbad Caverns

The fee to enter Carlsbad Caverns and explore on your own is $15 for adults and free for kids up to 15 (or admission is free with an America the Beautiful pass). There are ranger led tours of other parts of the caverns available for an additional fee. During the coronavirus pandemic, the only extra tour is the King’s Palace Tour, which is offered twice a day on a first come, first served basis for visitors age 4 and up. 

Recommendations for Exploring the Caverns

The most popular option is exploring Carlsbad Caverns on your own, including the Natural Entrance and Big Room trails. Rent a handheld audio guide in the bookstore first for all kinds of information about the caverns and their history. The Natural Entrance trail is a winding, very steep descent into the caverns, going down over 700 feet in a little over a mile.

From the bottom you can explore the 1.25 mile trail through the very impressive Big Room, taking in all the spectacular features in the huge cave that Will Rogers once called “the Grand Canyon with a roof over it.” Afterwards you can take the elevator back up to the surface. The elevators are also available to take you down into the caverns, and parts of the Big Room trail are wheelchair accessible. There are restrooms in the caverns and limited snacks and drinks available at the underground snack bar. 

The Bat Flight Program at Carlsbad Caverns

Brazilian free-tailed bats migrate to Carlsbad Caverns and spend their summers in the cave, emerging en masse every evening at sunset to hunt for food.  The bats return to the caverns in April, and a nighttime ranger program runs every night from May through October. The program takes place at the amphitheater behind the visitor center; there’s no fee, and reservations aren’t necessary, but get there early to grab a good spot for bat watching.

Program time varies based on sunset. Keep in mind that no photos are allowed and you’ll have to stay silent when the bats come out, so it might try the patience of very young kids.

During the pandemic, the amphitheater is closed in the evenings, but you can observe the bats from the parking lot and listen to the program broadcast on the radio. 

Campground Options Near Carlsbad Caverns

There are a few campgrounds close to Carlsbad Caverns and to th...