Caving
Carlsbad Caverns is famous for the beauty and breadth of its inky depths, as well as for the accessibility of some of its largest caves. All cave tours, except for the self-guided Natural Entrance and Big Room, are ranger-led, so safety is rarely an issue in the caves, no matter how remote. Depending on the difficulty of your cave selection (Spider Cave is the hardest to navigate), you'll need at most kneepads, gloves, flashlight batteries, sturdy pants, hiking boots with ankle support, and some water. The fee for the Natural Entrance and Big Room is $12 for ages 16 and up. Guided tours have an additional fee of $7 to $20, and the days and times of these tours vary throughout the year; check with the visitor center or visit the park website for a current tour schedule.
Hall of the White Giant. Plan to squirm through some tight passages for long distances to access a very remote chamber, where you'll see towering, glistening white formations that explain the name. This strenuous, ranger-led tour lasts about four hours. Steep climbs and sharp drop-offs might elate you—or make you queasy. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring gloves, kneepads, and three AA batteries with you. No kids under 12. Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center, 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy., Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 88220-5354. 877/444–6777; www.nps.gov/cave. From $12. Tours: Mon. 8:30 (times subject to change). Reservations essential.
King's Palace. Throughout this regal room, stunningly handsome and indeed fit for a king, you'll see leggy "soda straws" large enough for a giant to sip, plus bizarre formations that defy reality. The tour also winds through the Queen's Chamber, dressed in ladylike, multitiered curtains of stone. The mile-long walk is on a paved trail, but there's one steep hill toward the end. This ranger-guided tour lasts about 1½ hours and gives you a "look" at the natural essence of a cave—a complete blackout, when artificial lights (and sound) are extinguished. While advance reservations are highly recommended, this is the one tour you might be able to sign up for on the spot. Children younger than four aren't allowed on this tour. Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center, 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy., Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 88220-5354. 877/444–6777; www.nps.gov/cave. From $8. Tours: summer, daily 9, 10:30, 12, and 3, and Sun., Tues., Thurs., and Sat. 1:30; fall/winter, daily 10:30 and 1:30 (times subject to change).
Lower Cave. Fifty-foot vertical ladders and a dirt path lead you into undeveloped portions of Carlsbad Caverns. It takes about half a day to negotiate this moderately strenuous side trip led by a knowledgeable ranger. Visitors must bring their own gloves and three AA batteries. No children under 12. Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center, 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy., Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 88220-5354. 877/444–6777; www.nps.gov/cave. From $12. Tours: summer, Sun., Tues., Thurs., Sat. 8:30; fall/winter, daily 1:30 (times subject to change). Reservations essential.
Slaughter Canyon Cave. Discovered in the 1930s by a local goatherd, this cave is one of the most popular secondary sites in the park, about 23 miles southwest of the visitor center. Both the hike to the cave mouth and the tour will take about half a day, but it's worth it to view the deep cavern darkness as it's penetrated only by flashlights and sometimes headlamps. From the Slaughter Canyon parking area, give yourself 45 minutes to make the steep ½-mile climb up a trail leading to the mouth of the cave. You'll find that the cave consists primarily of a single corridor, 1,140 feet long, with numerous side passages.
You can take some worthwhile pictures of this cave. Wear hiking shoes with ankle support, and carry plenty of water. You're also expected to bring three AA batteries. No kids under six. It's a great adventure if you're in shape and love caving. End of Hwy. 418, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 88220-5354. 877/444–6777; www.nps.gov/cave. From $12. Tours Fri. 8:30 am. Reservations essential.
Spider Cave. Visitors may not expect to have an adventure in a cavern system as developed and well stocked as Carlsbad Caverns, but serious cavers and energetic types have the chance to crawl on cave floors, clamber up tight tunnels, stoop under overhangs, and climb steep, rocky pitches. This backcountry cave is listed as "wild," a clue that you might need a similar nature to attempt a visit. Plan to wear your warm but least-favorite clothes, as they'll probably get streaked with grime. Bring three AA batteries. It will take you half a day to complete this ranger-led tour noted for being physically demanding and for its continuing role as a living research laboratory. No kids under 12, and this is absolutely not for the claustrophobic. The cave is named after the hordes of daddy long-legs that pulsate on the walls of the opening, but they're harmless. Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center, 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy., Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 88220-5354. 877/444–6777; www.nps.gov/cave. From $12. Tours Wed. 8:30 (time subject to change). Reservations essential.
Tours
Cave Resources Office. Those who want to go it alone outside the more established caverns can get permits and information about 10 backcountry caves from the Cave Resources Office, which you must contact by phone at least a month before of your trip. Heed rangers' advice for these remote, undeveloped, nearly unexplored caves. Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center, 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy., Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 88220-5354. 575/785–2232; www.nps.gov/cave.
Ranger-Led Tours. Cavers who wish to explore both developed and wild caves can go on ranger-led tours, all of which require three AA batteries for headlamps (which will be supplied). Reservations for the six different tours (Hall of the White Giant, Lower Cave, Slaughter Canyon Cave, Left-Hand Tunnel, King's Palace, and Spider Cave) are generally required at least a day in advance. Payment is by credit card over the phone or online, or by mailing a check if you're making reservations 21 days or more in advance; confirm first that space is available. Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center, 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy., Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 88220-5354. 877/444–6777; www.nps.gov/cave. From $7.
