Looking to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park? I’m sharing everything there is to know before visiting, including the best things to do, in my Ultimate Guide to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
If you ask me, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the most breathtaking places in the world. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert in Southern New Mexico, there is so much to see above and below the surface.
What is a cavern?
A cavern is a type of cave that formed from soluble rock and in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, that soluble rock is limestone. There are over 300 limestone caves in this area that are up to 250 million years old and 119 of those are located within the park’s boundaries. Carlsbad Caverns specifically was formed from rain mixing with hydrogen sulfide-rich water to make sulfuric acid, eventually dissolving the limestone to create the deep passages that can be explored today. What makes caverns unique is that they have the ability to produce structures called speleothems – formations of mineral deposits from water. If you’ve seen or heard of stalactites or stalagmites, these are speleothems. In my opinion, this is what makes Carlsbad Caverns so visually breathtaking.
The history of the park begins with a 16-year-old cowhand, named Jim White. Jim was the first person to enter the caverns in 1898. Shortly after, the land was surveyed, maps were drawn up, and photographs of the caverns were published in the New York Times. Gaining interest across the country, the area was designated as Carlsbad Cave National Monument in 1923. Once Carlsbad Caverns became a National Monument, the work to install lighting, stairs, and established trails began. In 1930, the cavern was re-designated as Carlsbad Caverns National Park and in 1995, the park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Much of the park’s attraction has to do with the cave system itself.. and rightfully so! But, there is still so much to see up on the surface like the portion of Capitan Reef, a Permian-age fossil reef that has become exposed over the last 20 million years.
Looking for more things to do in New Mexico? Check out this guide
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns
Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, Carlsbad Caverns National Park experiences extreme heat during the summer months (June – September). Temperatures average about 90-100s° F (32-40° C) in peak sunlight but cool off in the evening. If you’re traveling during this time of the year, make sure to stay hydrated and dress appropriately as there is little to no coverage out on the surface trails of the cavern. Carlsbad Caverns National Park does experience a rainy season from July through September, seeing about 15 inches total of annual precipitation. Thunderstorms are common during this time of the year so be sure to remain alert when visiting if it is raining.
The fall months (September – December) and spring months (March – June) bring much more pleasant daytime temperatures, averaging between 75-80° F (24-27° C). Evening temperatures average between 40-65° F (4-18° C). Winds are common during this time of the year and rain is frequent in the early fall.
If you’re traveling to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the winter months (December – March), expect cool temperatures during the day at about 60° F (16° C) and cold temperatures in the evening averaging between 40-65° F (4-18° C). When it is cold, this area can experience snow and ice. The entrance to the cavern requires traveling up to a higher elevation. If you’re traveling during this time of the year, make sure your vehicle is able to withstand icy conditions.
The cavern itself has a stable climate with little change in temperature and humidity once you’ve moved further from the entrance. Temperatures and humidity within the cave fall between 56-68° F (13-20° C) and 87-100% respectively. You will find cooler temperatures and less humidity during the winter with warmer temperatures and higher humidity during the summer.
How to Get to Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located on NM-7 off of US-62. There is one entrance into the park.
Closest International Airports:
El Paso, Texas ~ 2 1/2 hours. Leave El Paso on US-62 E to Whites City, New Mexico. From Whites City, follow NM-7 W to Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center.
Albuquerque, New Mexico ~ 5 hours. Take I-40 E to US-380 E to US-285 S. Once you’ve arrived in Whites City, follow NM-7 W to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Getting Around the Park
The main road up to Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center is about 7 miles long (14 miles round-trip), passing by several trailheads and pull-offs that bring you up close to the plants and natural features of Carlsbad Caverns. The road also offers dramatic views of the canyons as you wind up to the parking area. Most visitors get around by car, motorcycle, or RV. There is no park-operated shuttle system within the park.
Visitors can also arrive in the park via Guadalupe Ridge – a 12 mile trail that comes from Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Credit: NPS.gov
Quick Facts and Things to Know
Location: New Mexico, US
Climate: Desert, Cavern
Established: October 25, 1923 (Monument), May 14, 1930 (Park)
Annual Visitors: 466,000
Size: 47,000 Acres
Operating Hours: The park is open daily from 8:00am – 5:00pm and closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. The last entrance tickets into the cavern are sold at 2:15pm for a 2:30pm entrance time.
Visitor Centers and Services: The park has one visitor center – Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center. Here you will find restrooms, a water Station, convenience store, gift shop, and bookstore. Down inside the cavern there is also a place for grab & go food.
Internet and Cellular Access: There is no WiFi available in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Cell service is limited on the park’s surface. Dead zones do exist, especially in the backcountry. There is no service in the cavern and park rangers encourage visitors to put their phone on “airplane mode” to save battery.
Pets: Pets are not allowed in the cavern. A kennel is available ($10/day) to board your pet when visiting. More information can be found on the park’s website. When outside of the cavern, all pets must be leashed.
Accessibility: Carlsbad Caverns is absolutely accessible for all visitors. The visitor center has wheelchair access and offers a variety of brochures to assist with the experience. The entrance to the cavern is paved, but it is steep. There is an elevator for those who wish to descend into the cave that way. It’s important to note that there are inclines and declines along the trails through the cavern and possible wet or slippery areas from dripping water, plan accordingly if you need mobility assistance. Audio guides are also offered for rent.
Fees / Passes
Reservations must be made in advance to enter the cavern. Reservations are only for selecting an entry time. Fees can either be paid or waived with approved pass upon arrival to the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center.
3 Day Passes:
Adults (16+) – $15, Children (15 and younger) – Free
Ranger-guided tours to additional sections of the cave are also offered.
Visit www.nps.gov for more information on pricing, commercial tours, and annual pass requirements.
Annual/Lifetime Passes:
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass – $80
- Senior Citizens (62+): Annual – $20, Lifetime – $80
- Military Personnel, Dependents, Veterans, and Gold Star Families – Free
- Permanent Disability – Free
- 4th Grade Every Kid Outdoors Pass – Free
- Volunteer Pass – Free
Free Entrance Days:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January), first day of National Park Week (April), anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (August), National Public Lands Day (September), and Veterans Day (November)
It’s always important to remember where your money goes when paying to enter land managed by the National Park Service. 80% of the park fee will go to the individual park that collected the money and 20% of the fee will go to other National Park Service lands that currently do not have an entrance fee in place. The money is used for facility maintenance and repair, habitat restoration, staff pay, and more. You can find further information on nps.gov.
Where to Stay When Visiting Carlsbad Caverns
There is no lodging within the park. There is also no front country camping (tent or RV) within the park. The only way to stay within Carlsbad Caverns is to camp in the backcountry – either west of Rattlesnake Canyon or south of Guadalupe Ridge. If you plan on camping, make sure you prepare with proper shelter, clothing, hydration, and navigation. A permit is required and can be obtained at the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center upon arrival.
Boondocking: Since it is prohibited to spend the night in National Park parking lots, many visitors opt to find areas outside of the park. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is surrounded by land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Camping (RV and Tent) is permitted on these lands. I recommend doing some extensive research before showing up to make sure the site is fit for your camping set up.
Hotels: There are plenty of lodging options found in Whites City and Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Best Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Drive Carlsbad Caverns Highway
The road from the park’s entrance to the visitor center is called Carlsbad Caverns Highway and is about 13 miles one-way. This road has a handful of pull-offs that offer information on the park’s history, landscape, and wildlife. Most of the signs can be viewed from your vehicle, so I recommend making a quick stop at each of them to learn about the area.
Hike in the desert
There are several short trails located along Carlsbad Caverns Highway that all offer something a little different like bring you up close the flora and fauna within the park on the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail (0.5 miles) or lead to dramatic overlooks on the Walnut Canyon Overlook Trail (0.1 miles). Definitely take your time and explore these shorter trails.
Leave No Trace: There are 7 principles you should know before setting out on any adventure. This includes planning ahead, traveling along durable surfaces, disposing of waste, leaving what you find, minimizing the impact of your campfire, respecting wildlife, and being considerate to those who are also enjoying the space.
Explore the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center
One of my favorite first stops to make when visiting a National Park is learning all about the area at the visitor centers and museums. The Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center is full of hands-on exhibits, films, and archived photos throughout the park’s history.
Descend into the cavern
No trip to Carlsbad Caverns is complete without descending into the cavern. There are two different ways you can get down, either by elevator or by hiking in via the Natural Entrance Trail (1.25 miles one-way). I chose to hike down and take the elevator back up. It was AWESOME! … and pitch black at times so be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight.
Hike the Big Room Trail
By far the highlight of Carlsbad Caverns is descending into the Big Room. The Big Room Trail is a 1.25 mile loop that brings you up close to a variety of cave formations. The trail can be cut down to a 0.6 mile loop if you are short on time or have mobility restrictions. The shortcut will still see many of the best exhibits.
Drive the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive
One surprise for me when visiting the park was driving the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive. This is a 9.5 mile one-way scenic gravel road through the Guadalupe Mountains. I personally love exploring the dirt and gravel roads through the mountains… so to me it was a blast. There are also several trailheads located along this drive like the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail (6 mile loop).
Witness a bat flight
One of the most unique experiences in the National Park System is the Bat Flight Program. The Bat Flight takes place in the amphitheater every evening from May – October, is free, and does not require a reservation. After the sun sets, you’ll witness the bats emerge from the cavern entrance in a spectacular show.
Other things to do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
- Take part in the ranger-guided Dark Sky Program.
- Explore Rattlesnake Springs.
- Embark on a ranger-guided tour of additional areas of the cavern that are only accessed by tour.
- Hike the Guadalupe Ridge Trail to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and backpack to a campsite for the night. Permits are required to camp in the backcountry.
HAPPY EXPLORING!
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