Natural Entrance View - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

While we didn't have time to hike down the 1¼-mile Natural Entrance Route and hike the 1¼-mile Big Room Route, we took time to walk down to the natural entrance and peer into the big hole in the ground. We visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park during our trip to four national parks in New Mexico and West Texas in September 2021.

The paved path from the visitor center to the natural entrance

Support facilities on the ridge

A closer look at the support facilities

A look back at the visitor center

A flock of birds swarms in the distance

One half of the amphitheater with no view of the entrance

The other half of the amphitheater

A closer look at the natural entrance

Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park is free for all surface activities. An entry fee of $15 per person is valid for three consecutive days to enter the cavern, but visitors must also have a valid reservation (available at recreation.gov). Other fee payment options for up to four people include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), Fourth Grade Pass (free with documentation) and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Ranger-led underground tours have additional fees.

The Carlsbad Caverns  National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm.