Natural Entrance

The Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern is a popular attraction in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Visitors can hike into the cavern through the natural entrance, which was the only access to the cavern before elevators were installed in the 1930s. The hike is 1.25 miles long and takes about one hour to complete, but it's not recommended for visitors with heart or respiratory conditions. The Natural Entrance Trail is extremely steep, with a gain or loss of about 750 feet. The Big Room Trail is another option, which is relatively flat and takes about 1.5 hours to walk. The cavern features stunning formations, including the Big Room, which is the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. The cavern is also home to a variety of unique formations, such as stalactites and gypsum deposits. Visitors can explore the cavern at their own pace, and the park offers self-guided tours. The park has implemented measures to protect the cavern and its inhabitants, including bio-cleaning mats to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome