This is a 3.5 mile easy hike, averaging 2.5 hours one way. A trip to Carlsbad Caverns will definitely teach you the difference, especially if you are lucky enough to grab a ranger led tour. Plan a Visit. For the visitor center, turn west at Whites City and drive seven miles. It is important to dress for the cave. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We love sharing our trips and how we organized them. In summary, as I said above, if your choices are go, or don't, then GO. Since none of the other "experts" mentioned it, I will. The Big Room. Get answers to your questions about Carlsbad Caverns Carlsbad Caverns National Park Vacation Rentals, Flights to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park Restaurants, Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Guide, All Carlsbad Caverns National Park Hotels, Browse all 256 Carlsbad Caverns National Park topics . :-). If not, picking up the junior ranger books can be so helpful and Ive heard that some national parks are even making ones for adults too! I have seen kids really enjoy the caverns, even young toddlers. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico - Recreation.gov Anyway, I have a 16 month old and we are expecting our second (i.e. 02. Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park with Kids - Tripadvisor Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Forum, Carlsbad Caverns with a baby, infant, small child, Re: Carlsbad Caverns with a baby, infant, small child. As for me (being 4.5 months pregnant), I felt fine throughout, but I was a very tired at the end, and my hips hurt the next day - joints are starting to loosen up. Knowing that you and your family are about to enter the giant mouth of the cave entrance and descend 75 stories into the belly of the Earth is an exhilarating feeling! Your children are blessed to get to experience such adventures . Strollers aren't allowed, so you need a carrier. This is often surprisingly hard to do, but we were happy to find the Blue House Bakery & Caf in nearby Carlsbad, New Mexico. And dont forget to download your Carlsbad Caverns hiking trail maps before setting out. The park rangers will have telescopes set up for nighttime sky viewing. Looking for more content from us, wed love it if you would subscribe to our newsletter. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is such a special place that it was declared a US National Park in 1930 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Maybe a favorite toy would be a better recommendation. You really can visit at any time of the year, but we definitely prefer the fall or spring. The Best Kids Thanksgiving Activities: How to Keep Your Kids Entertained on Thanksgiving, Planning Tiger Year: November Tiger Cub Scouts Meetings. Each person in your party must be at least 8 years old. Kids must complete a number of exercises within the Carlsbad Caverns Junior Ranger Handbook, which are available from the park rangers at the Information Desk at the Visitor Center. That said, the Big Room is 8.2 acres , making it the largest, easy to visit cave chamber in North America. However, the park does boast its beautiful blue sky sunny days most of the year. Ask for the family rooms just steps from the restaurant. Accessible restrooms and an accessible picnic table are available. This national park is teeming with wildlife. For easy viewing, park rangers request that you use only red light for flashlights and headlamps. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It definitely was Deborah. However, the wait to exit the cavern can be longer near closing time. Please visit our Service Animals information page. We have a 3 1/2 yr old (almost 4) and an infant which will be 2 months. Enjoy at Your Own Pace Big Room Adventure. If your choices are go or don't go - I say go. National Park admission can be purchased at the Visitor Center. The very popular series of ranger led tours includes the Kings Palace Tour (a 1 mile descent into the Scenic Rooms), the Left Hand Tunnel Tour (a fun candle lit tour), and the Lower Cave Tour (a strenuous descent beneath the Big Room via a handline and three ladders). Remember, the temperature inside the caves is 56 degrees all year round. Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours - Recreation.gov This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We werent comfortable taking our small rental car on this road, but it sure sounds fun! Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Forum, Carlsbad Ceverna with 3 yr old and infant, Re: Carlsbad Ceverna with 3 yr old and infant. Be sure to bring in clear, unflavored bottled water. When our kids completed their assigned tasks, one of the park rangers checked their work, led them in saying the Junior Ranger Oath, I am proud to be a National Park Service Junior Ranger. Such wonderful experiences and you can disconnect with the world a little. It is not a big place. This is a more difficult 0.5 mile trail to the cave entrance. This allows for more ideal temperatures for hikes outside and around the caves. While some of the areas in the cave are handicap accessibly, many have narrow or low areas where you will need to be more careful. I'd rather visit in complete silence and experience the magic of the cave entering via the Natural Entrence. Going without the baby would probably be more enjoyable if possible, but I am glad we went (no choice for us). If you plan to enter more than one cave on any day, you should also plan for a change of clothes between the tours. The paved Natural Entrance Trail descends gently into the mouth of the Carlsbad Caverns via a series of switchbacks. Here are a few of the kid-friendly hiking trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park: This is the only fully accessible hiking trail in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The Underground Lunchroom includes a gift shop and restaurant and is located near the elevators. She is at the stage where she just loves to run around and I had serious doubts about how it would go. The park offers elevator service into and out of the cavern, where you can access the Big Room Trail. Theres also some exciting elements to look for, such as an old explorers rope hanging from the ceiling and an old rope ladder used by National Geographic explorers. Leave the strollers and high riding, above the shoulder carriers at home. I would rather hear a baby cry, then listen to ignorant adults telling their older kids to go stand on a cave stalagmite for a photo op! Walking about 200 yards beyond the picnic area is the Springs. The 1.25 mile trail winds around showing off areas like the Hall of Giants, Bottomless Pit, and Crystal Spring Dome. Although the paved walking trails within the caverns are mostly wheelchair accessible, If you are visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park with your family pet, be aware that. The bats usually return from migration in mid to late April and leave the Carlsbad Cavern National Park sometime in October or early November. This mountain range, which spans the border with Texas, is also home to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Maps defining the wheelchair accessible areas can be obtained in the visitor center. It is open Year Round with exceptions on New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. I think my girls would do this hike knowing that there are elevators to get back to ground level. Thank you Ivana. Well, we just got back from CC. Walking this trail is equivalent to walking up or down a 75 story building and about 60-90 minutes to complete on average. There was no divider between the campground and the highway, so be sure to keep a good eye on your children. We called to confirm and everything was in the system! This park film is shown in the visitor center theater every 30 minutes. No reservations available at the park. 15 1258 Some of my mother's most vivid childhood memories are from Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a hidden gem of 119 caves formed mostly by sulfuric acid. Carlsbad Caverns Facts & Information - Beautiful World There are plenty of hikes available at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails within the park. Head on in to the visitor center and stop by the ranger station to pick up your Junior Ranger books. On this trail, you may bring a small fanny pack or camera bag as long as they havent been in other caves recently. Unless you have a couple kids from another planet with an enormous capacity to adapt to strange surroundings really quickly, I'd say save this adventure for a few years from now so you all can really enjoy it. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Last Updated: February 6, 2023 You should know right from the start that visiting the incredible cave system at Carlsbad Caverns National Park will desensitize you to all future cave explorations going forward! Want to get your kids out caving, thinking about making the trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, wondering how long to plan your trip? Tickets can only be purchased from 8am to 2:15pm each day, so do plan to arrive earlier than 2:15pm to ensure you can enter the caves. Your email address will not be published. 2 Day Itinerary For Visiting The Magical Carlsbad Caverns The total elevation is about 750 feet. There are 3 species of bats who roost inside the caves. If your baby does have a freak out, their voice WILL carry in that cave, so have something to offer them that will stop the spell, even if it is just long enough to get to the elevators and out. But dont worry, weve got the perfect list for you. It is a 1.25 mile trail, but it does have a shortcut that can make the trail only 0.6 miles. You will need good hiking books with tread. Depending on who you are, I would not really recommend one of those front carriers (baby bjorn and the like). I wish I had dressed my baby a little more warmly - we were ok in light jackets because we were on the move, but she was sitting in the carrier, and not generating work heat. This program is free and open to all visitors in the park, no reservations required. still confused about ticketing/reservations for CC. It's in the Guadalupe Mountains and covers more than 46,000 acres. Rangers are in the caverns to assist all visitors. While the trail is not quite as steep as the natural entrance into The Big Room, there are multiple descents and a steep hill to walk up at the end of the trail. All the bats in the area around Carlsbad Caverns National Park are insectivores. The Big Room Trail is the only wheelchair accessible route in the cavern. While 1.25 miles may seem long at first glance, our family successfully hiked the natural entrance with our four children when our youngest was only 2 years old. Cookies always do the trick for my little one. This extends the overall length of the visit to 2.5 miles (the elevator option is 1.5 miles), but the added experience is totally worth it. There are rails to hold onto most of the way down, however, sometimes the rails are only on one side of the path. Star walks are about 0.5 miles, whereas moon hikes are 1.5 miles in length. Have you traveled to Carlsbad Caverns National Park? ****Entrance fees into the cave must be paid inside t . The park brochure is audio described and can be listened to on the Publications page. This trail closes each night just before the bat flight program. The primary attraction of the park is the show cave Carlsbad Cavern. The Bat Flight Program begins Memorial Day weekend in May and runs through October. Depending on which route your family takes through the caverns, you may be without washroom access for up to 90 minutes at a time. She seemed a little cold when we got her out for lunch. On May 14, 1930, Carlsbad Caverns officially became a national park. Their are two ways to access the Big Room. Reserved, accessible parking is available in the "Bat Flight Disabled Parking" area. Go for it! Self-guided cave tours are very inexpensive at just $1 per person (including kids). One day was enough to do King's Palace, the natural entrance and the Big Room. New Mexico Carlsbad vacation or Grand Canyon AZ. This tour takes around 4 hours to complete and is only available for people ages 12 and up. There are 120 known caves within the national park, but this number grows as exploration continues. This scenic family-friendly hike has a gradual climb to the top of a ridge. Self-Guided Tour, Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours - Recreation.gov A senior pass is available to United States Citizens with proof of age 62 or older for $80 (lifetime) and $20 (annual). Good tips for those traveling with small children. Overall, it sounds like you had a very positive visit to Carlsbad Caverrns. Do know that this program is weather dependent, so please check in with a ranger if you are planning to attend. Consider that the Big Room has inclines and declines along the walking path. Celine and I each had a breakfast sandwich served on a jalapeo bagel, while our son had a heart bowl of oatmeal and our daughter had a delicious breakfast burrito. Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers accessible parking, picnicking, dining, and visitor center services. By clicking "Accept," you consent to the use of ALL cookies. Reservations must be purchased online or by calling 877-444-6777. The cave floors may be a little wet from the natural water drips. At times the paved trails within the Carlsbad Caverns can be wet and / or downhill. You will need to obtain a permit from the Visitor Center. And they build several buildings. Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The best time to see large quantities of bats seems to be in August and September when the new baby bats join in on the flight. The very upper row of the Bat Flight Amphitheater features a reserved area for visitors using wheelchairs. You will want hiking boots with good tread. If you havent, we would definitely suggest adding Carlsbad Caverns National Park to any family vacation passing through or near New Mexico. Carlsbad is the nearest town, not sure if they have Hampton Inn. Ranger-led tours are not accessible with wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or canes due to difficult and rugged trail conditions. It begins near the Bat Flight Amphitheater and runs all the way down to the Whites City Campground. Check the NPS Desert Hiking Trails information page for desert hiking safety tips and any current trail closures. 11 Images The Big Room is easily the most visited at Carlsbad Caverns. We elected for a campground just outside the park atWhites City Cavern Inn RV Parkin New Mexico. We hope you enjoy reading about our real life visit to Carlsbad Caverns with kids! We love exploring the different state and national parks in our area. We then had lunch at the cafe (we packed our lunch) and my step-daughter (she is 15) and I headed off for a tour of the King's Palace at 200pm. The main drawback to this location is the distance. Again, its an exhilarating feeling to be entering such an incredible underground natural wonder. I live in Arizona, so we might have to make a road trip soon. If medically needed, they are allowed within the wheelchair-designated portions of the Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern, but never on the Natural Entrance Trail due to the steep grade. Weve been lucky to have visited some pretty incredible caves in our world travels, including some in South Africa, Belize and the Canary Islands. If you have enough time on your family trip to New Mexico, we highly recommend you also visit White Sands Park with kids. Depending on the outside temperature, you will want to dress in layers. Caves are naturally dark places. Up until now, I thought they were all pretty impressive, but our visit to the Carlsbad Caverns with kids changed all of that. Please remember that no photography or electronic devices are allowed during the Bat Flight Program or even in the surrounding area. Us too, Kelly! :-). About 2/3 of The Big Room is wheelchair accessible. From this vantage point your family will enjoy elevated views of the desert canyon below. Another option is to arrive before sunrise. While stopping to take it all in, our daughter was lucky enough to see a couple of bats flying back-and-forth overhead! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. If you are looking for something a little more family friendly, you could try the Carlsbad KOA. Before heading on a cave tour or beginning a hike, be sure to stop by the visitor center. Visitors with canes/walking sticks must only use them on the paved trail and are required to have a rubber or soft tip. Cave Exploration You don't have to be a geology buff to appreciate the intricate formations inside the limestone caves. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. It also took us about an hour to complete the Big Room Trail section of the self-guided tour of the Carlsbad Caverns with kids. Summer temperatures for outdoor hikes can be rather hot with temperatures reaching 90 degrees. Sadly, cameras are not allowed at the Bat Flight Program and can actually disturb the bats. Would you believe that lint and hair from visitors can act as a medium for bacterial growth and chemical reactions that can etch the rocks in the caverns? Now when you get to 6 year olds then herding cats becomes part of your life!! The trail is mostly a flat oval shaped path beginning in the Underground Lunchroom and ending here as well. Accessibility - Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service) After arriving in Whites City, stop by the Information Center right along the highways. Be sure to use the bathrooms before entering the caves as it will be a long time before you have another chance. Its pretty exciting as you leave daylight and start to venture into the growing darkness of the cave. Or have the rangers strictly enforce the age limits. animals who have made the park their home, 5 Day Itinerary to Hiking Big Bend with Kids, Driving from Guadalupe Mountains National Park to Big Bend National Park, Hiking at Guadalupe Mountains National Park with Kids, Planning Cadette Girl Scout Year: Animal Helpers Cadette Badge, Planning Tiger Year: April Tiger Cub Scouts Meetings, Spanish April Activities for Kids from a Dual Language Family, Planning Junior Girl Scout Year: Junior Crane Design Challenge.