Carlsbad Caverns Exploration
September 9-11, 2022
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Marvel at the shapes and colors of the rock formations in the Big Cave, one of the premier caves in the US…
Learn about Brazilian Free-tailed bats and other cave-dwellers, and watch the amazing evening flight as thousands of bats spiral up out of the cave…
Hike the 3 mile Guano Road trail to White City…
Drive the 10 mile loop through the backcountry wilderness…
These are just a few of the attractions on the 2 day Carlsbad Caverns Exploration in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Meet new friends and enjoy the natural beauty of one of the most memorable National Parks in the US.
Travel Arrangements: Each hiker is responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the National Park. If you are flying, the nearest major airport is in El Paso, Texas. Car rental is available at the airport, and it is a two and a half hour drive from the airport to Carlsbad, New Mexico. There are many hotels in Carlsbad. If you need assistance with selecting a hotel, just ask and we will help. Carlsbad also has a number of good restaurants; Tom can make recommendations if you are interested.
Registration is Closed
Registration Is Free
Instead of charging a fee, we ask your help raising funds for mental health research and trail maintenance.
It’s fast and easy! When you register, you will be able to personalize a sponsorship page and share it through email and your favorite social media such as Facebook or Instagram. How does it work? 
Every little bit helps, and there is no minimum to raise – we just ask that you help us spread the word, then come join us on the trail.
Registration is Closed
Get a Free Hiking Shirt
Our quick-dry shirts look and feel great, on or off the trail.
Every registered hiker who raises at least $100 will receive a HIKE for Mental Health shirt as a token of our appreciation.
Available in men’s or women’s sizes SMALL – XXL.
When you register, we will ask your size preference. Once you reach $100 in donations to your fundraising page, we will get your shirt to you.
If you hit the $100 ten days before the hike, your hike leader will have your shirt for you on hike day. Otherwise, we will mail it to you after the hike.
So help us raise money and awareness for this great cause.
Registration is Closed
For a Good Cause
HIKE for Mental Health is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All contributions are tax deductible, and 100% of the hike donations support our mission.
Eighty cents of every dollar funds mental health programs, including break-through scientific research into PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar spectrum disorders, depression and other major mental illnesses. Through research we can find better ways to alleviate the suffering that affects 1 in 4 American families.
The remaining twenty cents maintains wilderness trails across the U.S. By supporting non-profit, volunteer groups that care for our trails, we help preserve wilderness experiences for generations to come. Where the money goes. 
Registration is Closed
Hike Details
| Location: | Carlsbad National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico |
| Date: | September 9-11, 2022. |
| Time: | We will have a full schedule of events on Friday Sept 9, starting with an early morning trip to see the bats returning to the cave. All events will be optional so you can pick and choose which ones you want to participate in The weekend will conclude approximately 2pm on Sunday, September 11, 2022. Exact times and locations with directions provided to registered hikers only. |
| Distance: | About 3.5 miles in the cave. About 3 miles for the Guano Road hike. |
| Difficulty level: | The first mile of descent into the cave is steep and can be slippery. The remainder of the cave tour will be easy walking. The Guano Road hike is a mostly flat, easy 3 mile hike. |
| Suitable for beginners? | Yes. |
| Registration fee | Registration is free. |
| Pet friendly? | No, please leave Bowser at home. |
| Sponsorship amount: | The hike goal is $2,000. There is no minimum required to join the hike, but if every hiker raises $200 we will get very close to our goal. |
| Free shirt: | Hikers who raise $100 or more will receive a free HIKE for Mental Health quick-dry hiking shirt. |
| Hike director: |  Tom Kennedy, a founder of HIKE for Mental Health, has been hooked on Carlsbad Caverns since he first learned about it in the second grade. He first visited in 1984 and has studied the cave system of Carlsbad intensely ever since then. He assisted in 1986 with the break-through on Carlsbad’s renown Lechugea Cave. He has visited the Park more than 30 times and still learns something new every time. |
Registration is Closed
Every HIKE for Mental Health is an opportunity to:
- get away from the hustle and bustle of work-a-day life and enjoy the beauty of Nature
- renew old friendships and make new ones
- have a great time hiking with a good group of people
- stand up against the stigma of mental illness
- discover your new favorite get-away
- raise money for a great cause
Come on out and join us!
Registration is Closed
Goal: $2,000.00
$0.00 donated
Questions
If you have any questions or ideas, please contact us.
We are glad to talk with you about your hike and how you can help HIKE for Mental Health.
We hope you will make HIKE for Mental Health a part of your hike.
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Does this hike involve/ include overnight camping or other lodging on site?
Hi Kristina, yes, the weekend does require overnight stays. The program begins early Saturday morning and ends Sunday afternoon. If you are travelling in from a distance, you are best to arrive on Friday, so you will need to arrange lodging for Friday and Saturday nights. Lodging is not provided. If want hotel recommendations in Carlsbad, let me know and I can have Tom (the hike organizer) give you some ideas.
Sure – recommendations would be great. I was mainly trying to determine if this was a hike where we camped on the trail but sounds like it is a day hike both days.
Thanks!
Kristina,check your email.