Hall of Giants. Photo: NPS / Michael Larson
- Entrance
- $15 per person
- Nonresident fee
- None
- Park annual pass
- Not sold
- Payment
- Card or cash
Work out the cost for your group
About Carlsbad Caverns
High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.
Things to do
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Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail
Enjoy views of the Guadalupe Mountains and explore Chihuahuan Desert plant life along this short 0.7 mile (1.1 km) loop trail.
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Explore the Cavern at Your Own Pace
The Big Room and Natural Entrance trails can be enjoyed at your own pace.
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Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT)
This trail covers 100 miles (161 km) through Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lincoln National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
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Juniper Ridge Trail
Enjoy the Chihuahuan Desert in a serene landscape along this 3.5 mile (5 km) trail.
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King's Palace Tour
The King's Palace Tour takes visitors through four highly decorated chambers and the deepest portion of the cavern open to the public.
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Lower Cave Tour
In 1924, National Geographic expedition members wrote about the wonders of Lower Cave.
Photos
Big Room Photo: NPS / Eymard Bangcoro 
Mule Deer Photo: NPS / Michael Larson 
Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern Photo: NPS / Eymard Bangcoro 
Chandelier and Caveman Formations Photo: NPS / Eymard Bangcoro 
Yucca Blooming Photo: NPS / Eymard Bangcoro
Entrance fees
| Type | Price | Valid for | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per person, 16 and over | $15 | 7 days | All year |
Reservations
Carlsbad Cavern: $1. A timed entry reservation must be purchased to access Carlsbad Cavern. In addition, an entry pass must be purchased at the visitor center. Time entry reservations ensure a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations.
Weather and seasons
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures between 90°F (32°C) and low 100s °F (38°C). Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early spring (March-May) with frequent rain in early fall (August-September). This part of the country also sees cold temperatures in the winter with occasional snow and icy conditions. Most days, the park is enveloped by a gorgeous blue sky with very few clouds, 278 sunny days a year!
Hours
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open 24-hours a day. Visitor center hours and cave tour schedule vary throughout the year.
Getting there
To access the park's only entrance road, New Mexico Highway 7, turn north from US Hwy 62/180 at White's City, NM, which is 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Carlsbad, NM and 145 miles (233 km) northeast of El Paso, TX. The entrance road stretches a scenic seven miles (11.3 km) from the park gate at White's City to the visitor center and cavern entrance. The address for the park's visitor center is 727 Carlsbad Caverns Hwy, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, located 27 miles (43 km) from the town of Carlsbad.
Webcams
- Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Camera (live video)
Visitor centers
Alerts
- Information: Fire Restrictions
- Information: Closures Due to Flood Damage
- Information: Items Worn or Used in Other Caves Not Allowed
- Information: Timed Entry Ticket Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern
- Information: Footwear in the Cavern
