Carlsbad Caverns National Park guide · 1 min read
Walking the Big Room Trail
The Big Room Trail is a 1.25-mile self-guided route through the Big Room, a chamber inside Carlsbad Cavern.
The room once held the title of largest natural underground space in the world, and although it has since lost that distinction, it still ranks among the biggest cave rooms anywhere. Most people take about an hour and a half to walk the full route, and the path is relatively flat. If you want a shorter visit, a shortcut cuts the walk to about 0.6 miles and roughly 45 minutes.
Once you are inside, the trail passes stalactites, stalagmites, and cave formations of many shapes and sizes. The cavern is known for an unusually wide range of decorations, and the actor and comedian Will Rogers compared it to the Grand Canyon with a ceiling over it. Look along the way for a rope ladder that explorers used in 1924. Because the tour is self-guided, you can linger at any point of interest for as long as you like.
Visitors can reach the Big Room by elevator or on foot. The Natural Entrance Trail is a 1.25-mile route that begins at the cave mouth and joins the Big Room Trail. It is extremely steep, so the walk in from the entrance is all downhill, while climbing back out is a demanding effort.
Part of the Big Room Trail is set up for wheelchair users, but the Natural Entrance Trail is not suitable for them because of its grade. For details on the accessible sections, ask at the visitor center or check the accessibility brochure. Some stretches stay damp from dripping water, so choose footwear with a closed toe and a firm grip on the sole.
