In preparation for a visit from President Barack Obama and his family, Carlsbad Caverns will be closing early Friday.
The public will be able to enter the park until 11 a.m. Friday, at which time the main gate will be closed.
Visitors already in the park must then exit at or before 1 p.m., when the park will be closed completely until later in the day. Big Room cave tours will be available from 8:30-11:30 a.m., and no other cave tours will be offered that day. The Natural Entrance will remain closed all day.
Park staff anticipates they will reopen to the public at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a 6:30 p.m. closure. The Bat Flight Program will take place at 7:30 p.m. as scheduled in the outdoor amphitheater.
