Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center

The Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center sits above the Natural Entrance and is the starting point for everything in the park, from the elevator down to the Big Room to the evening bat flight. Inside you will find hands-on exhibits that explain how the cavern formed, the desert plants and animals above ground, and the park’s history, along with a 3D model of the cavern, a free 16-minute film called Hidden World, a gift shop, and a restaurant. Cave tickets are bought here, and the information and ticketing desks can sort out self-guided entry and ranger-led tours. The Bat Flight Amphitheater is about a five-minute walk from the building, so many visitors combine the visitor center, the cave, and the bat program in one long day.