Explore Wheelchair-Accessible Carlsbad Caverns
Known as the granddaddy of caves, Carlsbad Caverns (www.nps.gov/cave) has been a popular national park since the 1930s. Of course in the early days, wheelchair-access was non-existent and visitors had to enter the cave in guano mining buckets. Today things are a lot different, as access upgrades have been added over the years, so it’s now possible for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to enjoy the underground wonders at this New Mexico national park.
A Few Logistics
There are a few basic logistics required for any wheelchair-accessible Carlsbad Caverns visit – and interestingly enough they have nothing to do with accessibility. Although you can enter the park with an America the Beautiful Access Pass (emerginghorizons.com/how-to-get-a-lifetime-national-park-pass), if you want to explore the underground wonders, you’ll have to plan ahead, as a separate timed entrance ticket is required for all underground visits.
The timed entrance tickets are available at (www.recreation.gov) for $1 each. They are good from the entry time to the closing time of the cavern entrance (2:30). So, for example, if you have a 10:30 ticket, it’s good from 10:30 to 2:30. And remember, every person – including children — needs an entrance ticket. It’s also important to remember to save a screen shot or print your ticket, as cell service is spotty in the park.
Walk-up tickets are not available, so plan ahead to see this underground natural wonder.
Explore the Cavern
Although the the natural entrance to Carlsbad Caverns is steep, slippery and bumpy, , there is an alternative wheelchair-accessible Carlsbad Caverns entrance — an elevator. There’s barrier-free access over to the elevator in the nicely accessible visitor center. And from there, the elevators take visitors down to the Big Room, one of the largest chambers in the cave.
The Big Room features a 1.25-mile paved path, most of which is wheelchair-accessible. The trails are well marked, and wheelchair-users can roll past the Lion’s Tail, Fairyland, Temple of the Sun and Crystal Spring Dome formations; however the pathways to Rock of Ages and Top of the Cross are too steep to negotiate in a wheelchair. You may also have to double back in a few places, but you can do as little or as much as you like.
All in all there’s a lot to see in the Big Room, and it’s pretty easy to navigate around the spectacular rock formations in this massive cavern. And when you’re done, there’s also level access to some interpretive exhibits, accessible restrooms, a gift shop and a snack bar, which are located near the elevator.
The Bat Flights
Although the wonders down under in Carlsbad Caverns are certainly worth exploring in detail, there’s another natural phenomena that you don’t want to miss topside – the bat flights. Each evening from late April to late October, 200,000 to 500,000 Brazilian free-railed bats exit the natural entrance en masse; and to be honest, it’s something you just don’t want to miss.
The free bat flight program begins 30 to 60 minutes before sunset at the amphitheater. Located close to the natural entrance, this site offers an optimal view of the bats exiting the caverns. Wheelchair-users and slow walkers should park in the “Bat Flight Disabled Parking Area”, which is located on the road to the visitor center. There’s a short accessible trail to the amphitheater from that parking lot, as well as an accessible family restroom nearby. The upper row of the amphitheater is reserved for wheelchair-users; and if you need help or directions, just ask one of the park rangers on duty.
It’s also possible to view the bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns from the main parking lot near the visitor center. Accessible parking is located at the far end of the parking lot, near the accessible picnic tables. The ideal site to view the bat flight would be along the short Nature Trail, which is accessible for about a quarter-mile; however that’s closed during the bat flight. An alternative viewing spot – depending on the crowds – is available in a wide level area near the beginning of the Nature Trail about 350 feet from the accessible parking area. Either way, the bat flight is certainly a site to see, and it’s a must-do on any wheelchair-accessible Carlsbad Caverns visit.
