CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK, N.M. (AP) - Carlsbad Caverns National Park goes to expanded summer hours Friday.

The longer hours last until Sept. 6, Labor Day.

During the summer, the visitors center at the southeastern New Mexico park will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Self-guided cave routes will also have longer hours. Visitors may enter the natural entrance route from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the Big Room route from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The last elevator out of the cave is at 6:30 p.m.

The park also will offer eight ranger-guided tours of Carlsbad Caverns and other park caves, starting Friday and continuing through mid-August.

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