Carlsbad Cavern

No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.

<p>Explore Carlsbad Cavern at your own pace on the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails. Access is available by elevator or hiking.</p>   <p><strong>Reservations Required to Enter Cavern</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Reservations must be purchased <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/234637/ticket/10086811">online</a> or by calling 877-444-6777.</p> </li> <li> <p>The reservation is only for selecting the entry time.</p> </li> <li> <p>Entrance tickets will need to be purchased at the visitor center.</p> </li> </ul>   <p><strong>Big Room Trail</strong></p> <p>The most popular route, the Big Room, is the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. This <strong>1.25 mile (2 km) trail</strong> is relatively flat, and will take about <strong>1.5 hours (on average) to walk it</strong>. Actor and comedian Will Rogers called the cavern, "The Grand Canyon with a roof over it." You will be rewarded with spectacular views, cave formations of all shapes and sizes, and a rope ladder used by explorers in 1924.<br /> <br /> If you are seeking a <strong>shorter experience</strong>, the Big Room has a shortcut which reduces the walking distance to about <strong>0.6 miles (1 km)</strong>. The hiking time is <strong>about 45 minutes</strong>.<br /> <br /> Parts of the Big Room Trail are wheelchair accessible. You can ask for more information about accessibility at the visitor center. You may also download our <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/upload/Accessibility_WO-Loop-Road.pdf">Accessibility Brochure</a> [0.5 MB PDF].<br />  </p> <p><strong>Natural Entrance Trail</strong></p> <p>The <strong>1.25 mile (2 km) </strong>Natural Entrance Trail is extremely steep. Depending on if you decide to hike up or down, you gain or lose about 750 feet (229 m)—equivalent to walking up or down a 75-story building. The hike takes about<strong> one hour (on average) to complete</strong>. <em>This trail is not recommended for visitors with heart or respiratory conditions.</em><br /> <br /> You have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of early explorers as you see formations like Devil's Spring, the Whale's Mouth, and Iceberg Rock.<br /> <br /> The Natural Entrance is not an accessible trail.</p>