Trip Ideas National Parks Carlsbad Caverns National Park Has Bats, Underground Caves, and More — Here's How to Plan Your Visit (Video) Here's everything you need to know before visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park By Hannah Freedman Hannah Freedman Instagram Hannah Freedman is a content strategy manager and award-winning writer and editor on the eCommerce team with nearly a decade of print and digital editorial experience in the travel, lifestyle, and eCommerce space. She is an on-air travel and product expert with appearances on Cheddar and local TV stations. A travel and product junkie, she has tested out and written about everything from her favorite hotels to the best concealers to the comfiest lounge sets. Hannah holds a BA in English & Creative Writing with a Spanish minor from The George Washington University and an MS in Publishing & Digital Media from New York University. She has also been a two-time recipient of the North American Travel Journalists Association Travel Media Awards in 2018. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on December 23, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email There’s plenty to see above and below ground at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in New Mexico. Cacti, Ponderosa pines, canyons, and cougars abound at ground level, while a lesson in geology hides just below the surface, where you can wander through the intricate maze of more than 119 enormous caves that lurk underneath the Chihuahuan Desert. Related: More National Parks trip ideas Millions of years in the making, a network of stalagmites and stalactites loom large, continuing to grow droplet by droplet in these formidable chambers that were created thanks to naturally occurring sulfuric acid seeping into and dissolving the limestone. Cheri Alguire/Getty Images While the area is home to many desert creatures, the most famous residents are the Brazilian free-tailed bats, which billow out of the caves at twilight in search of food, creating a massive dark cloud and the unmistakable sound of hundreds of thousands of whooshing wings. Elisabeth Bender/Getty Images Where to Stay Near Carlsbad Caverns National Park While basic backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit obtained at the Visitor Center, no lodging or campgrounds are found within the park itself. Overnight RV parking also isn’t allowed in the park. If you want to stay overnight, your best bet is to book one of the many standard hotels that can be found in Carlsbad, located roughly 20 miles from the caverns. What to Do at Carlsbad Caverns Exploring the web of caverns is the main attraction at this national park. Take a self-guided tour at a leisurely pace walking down the steep switchbacks of the Natural Entrance Trail to The Big Room. Parts of The Big Room are wheelchair accessible, thanks to an elevator that transports guests down into the cavern. Glean even more cave knowledge and history on a ranger-guided tour. Just be sure to make a reservation 48 hours in advance, especially during the summer and over holiday weekends. LWA/Getty Images No trip to Carlsbad Caverns is complete without watching the bats’ mass exodus from the caves. The free Bat Flight Program takes place every evening from Memorial Day weekend through October, and it includes an evening ranger talk about the bats before watching them soar into the sunset. During the warmer months, take in the gleaming desert panoramas by night on a free star walk or moon hike. How to Get to Carlsbad Caverns National Park The closest major airports are in El Paso, Lubbock, and Albuquerque. From there, you'll need to rent a car and drive to reach the park. Elisabeth Bender/Getty Images When to Visit Carlsbad Caverns The caves stay a cool 56 degrees all year round. However, late May to October is prime season for the bats and the fall and spring months offer the best times to see desert blooms. The main caverns can get packed during summers and holiday weekends, so opt for shoulder seasons to beat the crowds. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit