Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell
Giant caves, summer bat flights and the town that made UFOs famous.
See top-rated activities »About Carlsbad and Roswell
The southeast corner of New Mexico is oil and ranch country, flat and wide open, and most visitors come for one of two reasons. The first is Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about 20 miles southwest of the town of Carlsbad in the foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains. Below the desert lies a series of limestone caves carved by acid-rich water, and the Big Room, reachable by elevator or by a steep walk down the Natural Entrance trail, is one of the largest cave chambers in North America. A self-guided paved route loops past stalagmites, columns and pools.
From late spring into October, a colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats leaves the cave at dusk to feed, spiraling out of the Natural Entrance by the thousands. Rangers hold evening programs at an amphitheater by the entrance, and electronics, including phones and cameras, are not allowed during the flight so the bats are not disturbed. Timed-entry reservations are required to enter the cavern, and some park roads and trails have been closed after flood damage, so check the park's alerts before you drive out.
In Carlsbad itself, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park shows the plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert on a hillside trail, and the Pecos River runs through town with a beach, park and walking paths. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, across the state line in Texas, is about an hour away for hikers.
The second draw is Roswell, about two hours north. In 1947 a rancher found debris on his land, the Army Air Field first announced it had recovered a flying disc and then said it was a weather balloon, and the town has been linked to UFOs ever since. The International UFO Museum and Research Center, in a former movie theater downtown, gathers newspaper clippings, witness accounts and models, and street lamps and storefronts along Main Street carry alien themes. The Roswell UFO Festival brings costumes, talks and a parade every July.
Don’t Miss
Huge limestone caves including the Big Room, with evening bat flights from late spring into fall; timed-entry tickets required.
A hillside trail through Chihuahuan Desert habitats with native animals and plants.
Desert canyons and Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, an easy add-on to a Carlsbad trip.
Exhibits on the 1947 Roswell Incident and UFO reports, in a former downtown theater.
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Get free trip quotes »Carlsbad and Roswell — FAQ
When can I see the bat flight at Carlsbad Caverns?
Usually from late spring through October, at sunset. The time varies each evening, so check the park's schedule, and leave phones and cameras in the car.
Do I need a reservation for Carlsbad Caverns?
Yes. Cavern entry uses timed tickets that you reserve in advance through the national park reservation system.
How far is Roswell from Carlsbad Caverns?
About two hours by car. Many travelers combine them on a southern loop that also takes in White Sands.
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