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.

The 30-minute Accessible Tour of Lehman Caves visits the Gothic Palace, the first highly-decorated room of the cave and can accommodate a wheelchair, with assistance . This tour is intended for persons with limited mobility, unable to negotiate stairs, or stand for long periods of time and their immediate companions. Please do not reserve this tour if you are capable of completing another tour, unless you are traveling with a companion who needs an accessible tour. If no one in your party needs an accessible tour, please consider selecting another tour. NOTE: Rangers are unable to assist with or be responsible for transport of mobility assistive devices.

Join a ranger to unearth something you might not have known about the park. Topics change daily!

Program Description A brief yet enriching program that highlights a remarkable natural process or cultural story from the Giant Forest. This short talk offers a focused glimpse into what makes the grove extraordinary. Program Details Length: 20 to 30 minute talk Location: Outside the Giant Forest Museum Seating: Limited seating may be available Getting There Drive: The Giant Forest Museum is along Generals Highway. Parking is available directly across the road from the museum. However, this lot fills early—often by 10 am. To park at the museum, arriving before mid‑morning is recommended. If lot is full, proceed to next shuttle bus parking area. Shuttle: The free Sequoia Shuttle operates in Giant Forest and Lodgepole during the summer season. Take Route 1 to reach the Giant Forest Museum. All shuttle buses and routes are wheelchair accessible. Check your park newspaper or bulletin boards for route information. Walk: Many trails lead to the Giant Forest Museum. Check your park newspaper for a trail map of the Giant Forest. Accessibility This program is ADA accessible. There may be limited seating for this event. From the Giant Forest Museum Accessible Parking Area, a paved path leads to the front of the museum. The trail is about 150 feet (46 m) long.

Stop by to learn more about sequoias and the history of the grove. Stay for 5 minutes or 30 minutes. A ranger is available from 10:30 am to 12 noon.

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

Journey along the river to rocky crags with meadow views and wide vistas. The guided hike is 1.5 hours long covering a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Meet at the Zumwalt Meadow Trailhead in Cedar Grove.

Many people visiting Mammoth Cave ask, “May we visit the cave without a guided tour?” The answer is yes! This self-guided tour ventures through large, open passageways with points of interest along the route. Participants can explore at their own pace through large open passageways featuring informational waysides and artifacts from the cave's early history. Rangers are stationed along the route to answer questions. This tour is ideal for those who want to move at their own pace or are looking for a cave experience without much time commitment. This tour is the self-guided version of the guided Mammoth Passage Tour. Includes part of the Historic Tour and all of the Mammoth Passage Tour routes. Duration: Approximately 30 minutes Distance: 0.75 mile (1.2 km) Total Stairs: 135 Difficulty: Easy Ages: All ages. Individuals under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult age 18 years or older. Restrooms: No Tickets available for each tour time: Unlimited

Program Description Explore how seemingly simple Sierra meadows are actually complex, life‑rich ecosystems. As you wander, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for these vital yet fragile landscapes. Program Details Length: 1.5 hours along an easy 1.3-mile (2 km) walk Location: Begins at the Giant Forest Museum and follows the Big Trees Trail Getting There Drive: The Giant Forest Museum is along Generals Highway. Parking is available directly across the road from the museum. However, this lot fills early—often by 10 am. To park at the museum, arriving before mid‑morning is recommended. If lot is full, proceed to next shuttle bus parking area. Shuttle: The free Sequoia Shuttle operates in Giant Forest and Lodgepole during the summer season. Take Route 1 to reach the Giant Forest Museum. All shuttle buses and routes are wheelchair accessible. Check your park newspaper or bulletin boards for route information. Walk: Many trails lead to the Giant Forest Museum. Check your park newspaper for a trail map of the Giant Forest. Accessibility A portion of this program is ADA accessible. If you plan to participate in only the ADA accessible portion, check in with the ranger at the start of the program and let them know you will meet the group at the accessible parking area and trailhead for the Big Trees Trail.

Program Description Learn the story behind Sequoia’s iconic entrance sign and how its meaning has evolved over time. Chat with a ranger to explore its origins, cultural context, and what it represents today. Program Details Length: Anytime between 10 am and 11 am Location: Along the sidewalk by the Sequoia Entrance Sign (0.25 miles from Three Rivers entrance station) Seating: No seating is provided; standing room only Getting There Drive: The parking lot for the entrance sign is located along Generals Highway and is 0.25 miles from the Three Rivers Entrance Station. Shuttle: There is no shuttle service to this location. Walk: There are no trails that lead to this location. Accessibility This program is ADA accessible and is given next to ADA accessible spaces.

Explore Pah‑din , once a vibrant village inhabited by Native Americans, to discover ancient pictographs and enduring cultural connections that thrive in this remarkable riverside place. Come visit us at Hospital Rock Picnic Area for 5 minutes or for an hour, anytime between 2 pm and 3 pm.

This classic tour visits areas of Mammoth Cave that have been used for nearly 100 years. This tour begins in a sinkhole, passes through huge domes, amazing breakdown, and ends in the dripstone section known as Frozen Niagara. Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. Focusing on the natural formation of the cave, this tour is ideal for people interested in science and wanting to see stalactites and stalagmites. This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. This tour includes the entire Frozen Niagara Tour route and a small portion of the Grand Avenue Tour route. Duration: 2 hours Distance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km) Total Stairs: 640 , including 280 on the initial staircase descent and an optional 96 Difficulty: Strenuous Ages: All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms: No Tickets available for each tour time: 110