Caves, Caverns and Karst

Please join us for the free Bat Flight Program (April through October), an evening ranger talk about bats prior to their flight. No reservations are required for this program that occurs every evening from April through October. The program takes place at the Bat Flight Amphitheater, located at the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. The start time for the program changes as the summer progresses and sunset times change. Programs may be cancelled in the event of lightning.

Exploring the Alpine Lakes Loop or Bristlecone trails? From 9am to 3pm, keep your eye out for a friendly ranger ready to chat about Great Basin's spectacular high country. Occurs daily, staff and weather permitting.

Curious about Great Basin's alpine country? Anytime from 11am to noon each day, find a ranger in the Wheeler Peak Bristlecone Grove for an informal chat where you can ask about the trees, the animals, and other aspects of the higher elevations of the park. Topics vary. Occurs daily, staffing and weather permitting.

Step into the stories that shaped this landscape as you walk past massive stumps and mountain meadows. The hike lasts for 1.5 hours covering a distance of 1.4 miles (0.8 km) roundtrip.

Overlook a meadow while discussing some of the amazing animals found in the park.

Investigate the General Grant Grove on this guided walk through the old-growth giant sequoia forest. The walk lasts for 1 hour and covers a distance of 0.5 miles (0.8km). Accessibility: This trail features tactile information panels, with raised illustrations and Braille text. While paved, the trail has steep sections and is not designated as wheelchair-accessible. A separate short trail that leads around the General Grant Tree includes stairs, but can be bypassed to complete the loop. Benches are placed in pullouts along the trails. There is one accessible parking space, accessible flush restrooms, and drinking fountains at the trailhead.

Explore ways that Kings Canyon National Park is unique. Drop by anytime between 2 pm and 3:30 pm.

Gain a deeper connection with the park as a ranger highlights a topic of their choice.

Program Description Settle into the amphitheater as a park ranger shares stories, insights, and perspectives that bring this place to life. Each night features a different topic, ensuring something new to discover. Program Details Length: 45 minutes Location: Potwisha Campground Amphitheater (between campsites 1 and 3) Seating: Bench seating provided (benches are backless) Getting There Drive: Take Generals Highway to the Potwisha Dump Station. Park in the large overflow parking area. Cross Generals Highway on foot and walk up the right road into the campground beyond campsite 1. There is no parking available at the amphitheater, though drop-offs are permitted. Shuttle: There is no shuttle service to this location. Walk: For those camping at Potwisha, the amphitheater is a short, walkable distance from all campsites. Accessibility The path leading to the amphitheater is not ADA accessible. The path to the seating area is approximately 30 yards (27 meters) across a mostly level dirt surface.

Program Description For thousands of years, human history has been woven into the story of Sequoia National Park. Come walk though time to learn about people's lasting impact on these lands. Program Details Length: 1 hour along an easy 0.4-mile (0.6 km) trail. Location: Begins at the Potwisha Overflow Parking Area, next to the Potwisha Dump Station and follows the Potwisha-Middle Fork Trail to a suspension bridge over the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. Getting There Drive: Take Generals Highway to the Potwisha Dump Station. Park in the large overflow parking area. Meet the ranger in the back left of the parking area. Shuttle: There is no shuttle service to this location. Walk: For campers at the Potwisha Campground, cross Generals Highway and walk to back left of the overflow parking area. Accessibility This program is not ADA accessible.

CaveSim is a fun, immersive experience for visitors ages 5 & up that makes caving accessible to a wide audience. Containing 140 feet of simulated cave passages, CaveSim was custom-built for Great Basin National Park and inspired by Lehman Caves. Inside CaveSim, visitors will find speleothems (cave formations), bats and other cave life, historic artifacts, and more. But unlike Lehman Caves, there is no easy walking trail. Visitors will have to crawl, climb, and squeeze through various passages to explore the cave. Also unlike Lehman Caves, this means touching the cave walls and floors to navigate – but be careful where you touch! CaveSim is equipped with sensors that activate when sensitive, fragile resources are touched (accidentally or otherwise) to help guide your footing. Outside of the trailer, join a ranger for Q&A sessions and more hands-on activities on various cave science and preservation topics. The CaveSim experience usually takes 30 minutes, so plan your day accordingly. CaveSim Rules & Safety Helmets and gloves are required and provided by NPS. Visitors do not need to bring gear to explore CaveSim – but should bring curiosity, flexibility, and a desire to experience something new. Visitors 15 and under are required to have adult supervision, whether inside the CaveSim or waiting outside the trailer. Visitors under 5 are prohibited from entering CaveSim. Though not a real cave, CaveSim is not a playground. Running, pushing, jumping, and roughhousing are prohibited inside and outside the trailer. A ranger will remove a group or part of a group from CaveSim if they are disruptive. No bags are allowed inside CaveSim, and all items from pockets should be removed. Belts and watches may snag on rough surfaces, so it is recommended to remove them before entering as well. Claustrophobia and unease can be experienced in CaveSim due to the tight spaces inherent in cave environments. You have the option of being escorted out if these feelings are overwhelming for you or any group members.

Program Description Settle into the amphitheater as a park ranger shares stories, insights, and perspectives that bring this place to life. Each night features a different topic, ensuring something new to discover. Program Details Length: 45 minutes Location: Lodgepole Campground Amphitheater Seating: Bench seating provided (benches are backless) Getting There Drive: Take Generals Highway to the Potwisha Dump Station. Park in the large overflow parking area. Cross Generals Highway on foot and walk up the right road into the campground beyond campsite 1. There is no parking available at the amphitheater, though drop-offs are permitted. Shuttle: There is no shuttle service to this location. Walk: For those camping at Potwisha, the amphitheater is a short, walkable distance from all campsites. Accessibility This program is ADA accessible. The route to the amphitheater follows a generally level path. Surface conditions may vary, and distances can depend on where you park.