Spider Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Carlsbad Caverns NP, NM. Garden Grove Canyon. Trail to the cave entrance, 15 min hike (400 m). Meeting point: Visitor Center. (exact location not public)
Open:	closed. [2026]
Fee:	closed. [2026]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	none, bring own
Dimension:	T=13 °C
Guided tours:	D=4 h.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Carol A Hill (1987): Geology of Carlsbad Cavern and other caves in the Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico and Texas, 150pp, 130 figs [most are photos], SB. The author suggest that the caves are formed by sulphuric rather than carbonic acid. Some nice colour photos. Robert Nymeyer (1985): Carlsbad, Caves and a Camera, Lynn A Nymeyer, 318 pages, Softbound, B&W, ISBN: 978-939748-36-5.
Address:	Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 3225 National Parks Hwy., Carlsbad, NM 88220, Tel: +1-505-785-2232. E-mail: Tour reservations, Tel: 1-800-967-2283, international Tel: +1-301-722-1257.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Spider Cave is one of more than 100 caves located at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. But it is not part of the same cave system as Carlsbad Caverns. This cave is guided by rangers in cave trekking tours. The cave is called a maze cave, which means it has passages in various directions and levels. The tour shows the Mace Room, Medusa Room, and Cactus Spring. The tour includes hiking and climbing, sturdy boots and appropriate clothes are necessary. Helmets with headlights are provided, but four AA batteries must be brought by the visitors. Soft knee pads, cotton or leather gloves, and long pants are helpfull. Bring drinking water for the hike.

This cave was named by Bob Nymeyer in 1933 when he entered the cave and found lots of spiders. "What I had seen were spiders. Literally millions of them clung to the ceiling and walls, forming a black mat completely covering the rock." 30 years later, in 1967, he visited the cave again and mentioned that the spiders were gone for unknown reasons. They have not returned since.

The tours were offered at least until around 2021, but at some point they were discontinued. Currently, there are no tours into Spider Cave.