Carlsbad, NM – Supplied Industrial Solutions (SIS) of Granite City, IL began elevator repairs at the park on Monday, April 11. Work to restore elevator operations is anticipated to conclude on Memorial Day weekend. Contractors are currently descaling lead paint and applying protective coatings to the steel in the elevator’s hoistway. Once the coatings are complete, SIS will install steel reinforcing beams needed to restore structural integrity to the 85-year old hoistway, allowing safe elevator operations to resume.
“If everything goes according to plan, we are optimistic that the elevators will be back in service by Memorial Day weekend, providing access to the cavern for visitors in time for our busy summer season,” said Doug Neighbor, superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
On May 27, the visitor center will change to extended summer hours, 8 am - 7 pm, and Bat Flight Programs will begin at 7:30 pm.
Self-guided tours are available daily into the cavern. Ranger-guided tours are also being offered this summer into King’s Palace, Hall of the White Giant, Slaughter Canyon Cave, Left Hand Tunnel, Lower Cave and Spider Cave. Reservations for guided tours can be made at www.recreation.gov.
For more information on park regulations, visitation or park tours, call 575-785-2232 or visit www.nps.gov/cave.