Explore the Cavern at Your Own Pace

Big Room Trail

NPS

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, and will take about 1.5 hours (on average) to walk it. 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.

If you are seeking a shorter experience, the Big Room has a shortcut which reduces the walking distance to about 0.6 miles (1 km). The hiking time is about 45 minutes.

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 Accessibility Brochure [0.5 MB PDF].

Natural Entrance Trail

The 1.25 mile (2 km) 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 one hour (on average) to complete. This trail is not recommended for visitors with heart or respiratory conditions.

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.

The Natural Entrance is not an accessible trail due to steep grade.

Details

Duration

1-3 Hours

The Big Room Trail takes about 1.5 hours to hike. There is a shortcut trail that reduces the distance and hike time to 45 minutes.

The Natural Entrance Trail takes about 1 hour to hike.

Activity

Hiking

Age(s)

0 and Older

Children must be no further than one arms length from parents.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

Yes

Adults (ages 16 and older): $15 per person

Children (ages 15 and under): Free

If you are entering with a pass, please visit the ticket counter for your free admission ticket.

Location

Big Room and Natural Entrance Trails

Both trails are located in Carlsbad Cavern.

Reservations

Yes

Online reservations are required to enter Carlsbad Cavern. The reservation is only for selecting the entry time. Entrance tickets will need to be purchased at the visitor center. To reserve go to recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.

Season

Year Round

The visitor center and cavern are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.

Time of Day

Day

Cavern Opens: 8:30 am

Last Entrance Ticket Sold: 2:15 pm

Last Cavern Entrance: 2:30 pm

Accessibility Information

A portion of the Big Room Trail is wheelchair accessible. More information is available in the Accessibility brochure.

The Natural Entrance Trail is a steep grade and is not accessible for safety.