Hikes and walks (10)
| Hike | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Explore the Cavern at Your Own Pace | The Big Room and Natural Entrance trails can be enjoyed at your own pace. The Big Room Trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. The Natural Entrance Trail is strenuous. Enjoy one or both to experience a variety of cave formations. | 1 to 3 Hours · All year · No pets · Reservation needed · Fee |
| Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail | Enjoy views of the Guadalupe Mountains and explore Chihuahuan Desert plant life along this short 0.7 mile (1.1 km) loop trail. | 30 Minutes · All year · Pets with limits |
| Walnut Canyon Overlook Trail | This short 180 yards (165 m) paved walkway provides great views of Walnut Canyon. | 5 Minutes · All year · Pets OK |
| Juniper Ridge Trail | Enjoy the Chihuahuan Desert in a serene landscape along this 3.5 mile (5 km) trail. | 3 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Old Guano Trail | This 3.7 miles (6km) trail descends the escarpment, ending at the White's City campground. | 2 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Upper Rattlesnake Canyon Loop Trail | A moderately difficult 6 mile (9.6 km) loop trail in the park's wilderness. | 4 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Yucca Canyon Trail | This is a difficult 7.7 mile (12.4 km) trail that climbs quickly up a side canyon to the top of an escarpment. | 9 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail | A scenic 0.5 mile (1 km) hike that leads to viewpoints overlooking Slaughter Canyon. | 90 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Lower Rattlesnake Canyon Trail | Follow down a canyon for 3 miles (4.8 km) and enjoy a variety of Chihuahuan Desert plants. | 3 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Slaughter Canyon Trail | This 5.3 mile (8.6 km) hike travels up Slaughter Canyon with mountains towering above. | 7 Hours · All year · No pets |
Other things to do (7)
| Activity | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area | Have a relaxing picnic among tall cottonwood trees and watch for a variety of birds. | All year · Pets with limits |
| Lower Cave Tour | In 1924, National Geographic expedition members wrote about the wonders of Lower Cave. Visitors today can see the evidence left behind from those and other explorers. | 3 Hours · All year · No pets · Reservation needed · Fee |
| King's Palace Tour | The King's Palace Tour takes visitors through four highly decorated chambers and the deepest portion of the cavern open to the public. | 90 Minutes · All year · No pets · Reservation needed · Fee |
| Walnut Canyon Desert Drive | Discover canyon views, desert plants, and wildlife along this unpaved road. | 1 Hour · All year · Pets with limits |
| Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT) | This trail covers 100 miles (161 km) through Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lincoln National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Over 20 miles (32 km) of this trail is within Carlsbad Caverns National Park. | 5 to 6 Days · Winter, Spring, Fall · No pets · Reservation needed · Fee |
| Night Sky Programs | Enjoy the night sky at Carlsbad Caverns National Park during a ranger-led night sky program. | 1 to 2 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Bat Flight Program | Enjoy an evening ranger talk about the park's population of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats and experience their emergence from Carlsbad Cavern. | 0 to 60 Minutes · Summer, Fall · No pets |
Before you set out
Trail conditions change with snow, fire and storms. Check the park’s current alerts, carry the ten essentials and read know before you go.
Sources
- National Park Service: things to do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Data API, public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.