Here are some tips to ensure your trip is the safest it can be:
- Take time to ensure that the activity you have chosen is the best one for you. All cavern tours, nature walks, and hikes can be strenuous, so be sure you understand what will be required of you before the acitivity starts. If you are unsure, ask a park ranger to explain the requirements.
- Some areas of the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails are wet from natural water drips and steep. For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction (e.g. lug soles) are recommended. Flip flops, sandals, and some walking shoes have little or no traction and increase the possibility of slips, trips, and falls.
- Visitors under the age 16 must be accompanied by an adult, age 18 or over.
- All cavern tours require that you wear shirts and shoes.
- Metal framed backpacks or backpacks that extend above the shoulders or of a length that extends below the hips are prohibited (e.g. trekking backpacks).
- Walking sticks and canes are permitted on cave tours if medically necessary. They must have a rubber or soft tip.
- Smoking is not permitted in the cavern, at the cavern entrance, or inside any of the facilities.
- Do not approach or feed animals. All wildlife in the park are wild and feeding them harms their health. Wildlife can be dangerous, even the most harmless looking deer, squirrel, or raccoon.
- Be aware while driving. Wildlife such as deer, sheep, and javelina are often visible along the sides of the road. Make sure to use extra caution while driving as these animals may walk into the roadway.
- When hiking, always tell others where you are going and the approximate time you are returning.
Report any hazards or suspicious activity to a park ranger.
