Carlsbad Caverns
 

I need a little help. My son and I (I'm 46 and he's 22) are going to Carlsbad Caverns the second week of January. Do I need to be concerned with guided tour reservations? Also, could I get any opinions on the best guided tours? Physical or strenuous activity is not a concern for either of us. Thanks for the help!

It is a great trip, though we've gone in the summer when it is really crowded. Can't advise for January but if you or your son are fiction readers, this is recommended reading to get you in the eerie cave mood - Blind Descent: : An Anna Pigeon Mystery by Nevada Barr

I don't think you need worry.
The big room, reached by elevator or by the natural entrance, is a self guiding loop path through wonderful formations.

The old natural entrance is a long downhill walk without much other than a steep walk in a big hole. The noteworthy formations are farther along.

There are some ranger led hikes that go deeper and farther into the cave.

The Left Hand Tunnel was the one I remember the best because we went in with only the light from candles.
Returning we used our flashlights so we could see better what we had passed on the way in. It was most interesting, even fun. The whole route is in large tunnel, and you walk upright the whole way.

The King's Palace is another interesting extension to lower levels of the cave. There is no crawling on your knees. I recommend it.

The lower cave trip requires a 50 foot ladder descent. And you need to bring AA batteries for the light. I did not have time for this one.

Spider Cave is another story because it requires somne exertion. Kneepads and water are suggested; batteries are required.

I have not quite wanted to do Spider Cave, but if you are agile and don't mind the confinement of the tight tunnels or mind crawling along on your knees for a considerable distance, it might prove fascinating.

All of these extended hikes require an extra fee.

Thank you both. I wanted to do the lower and left handed cave. I'll have to do some quick research on the spider cave. I missed that one. If anyone else would like to chime in, I could use the help.

The national park Carlsbad website has some detail. I have not done the lower cave, but it sounds like fun.

I remember my first visit there. I was not yet 16 and the whole idea of the dark cave was amazing. Back then, the only way to go was down the natural entrance with a ranger-led tour. Then you could do the big room on your own.d

Now you are actually encouraged to descend to the big room, and you walk on your own down the winding walkways of the natural entrance.

I have been back to Calrsbad several times and each time I find it interesting. If your time is limited, I suggest not doing the natural entrance walk. It is perhaps the least scenic part, but on the other hand, it takes you in like nature constructed the cave. You go down and down until finally you reach the big room. Then you can go even deeper with some of the other trips.
All in all, I hope you have a first rate time of it.