Wake Up the Cavern

Be the first to enter Carlsbad Cavern for the day! Walk one of the cavern trails (Main Corridor or Big Room) with a park ranger as they turn on the cavern lights.

Big Room Trail

The most popular route, the Big Room, is the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. This 1.25 mile (2 km) trail is relatively flat. 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.

Natural Entrance Trail

The 1.25 mile (2 km) Natural Entrance Trail is extremely steep. If you decide to hike down, you lose about 750 feet (229 m)—equivalent to walking down a 75-story building. 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. This trail is not recommended for visitors with heart or respiratory conditions.

Some areas of the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails are wet from natural water drips and steep. For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction are recommended. Flip flops, sandals, and some walking shoes have little or no traction and increase the possibility of slips, trips, and falls.

Plain water is permitted in the cavern, but no flavored water or drinks.

Fees

An entrance fee is required to enter Carlsbad Cavern. Ages 16 and Over: $15 per person. Ages 15 and Under: Free. This can be purchased after the Wake Up the Cavern hike at the visitor center ticket desk. You will be able to re-enter the self-guided areas of the cavern at your own leisure from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm.

Location

Latitude and Longitude 32.175481, -104.444223

Schedule

Please arrive 15 minutes early. A park ranger will meet you in front of the visitor center to check-in.

Event Type

• Hike