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Carlsbad Caverns National Park protects 119 caves, of which only a handful are open to the public. It’s located in southeastern New Mexico, and the main cave, Carlsbad Cavern, is its star attraction.
I spent one afternoon at Carlsbad Caverns, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It definitely wasn’t enough to cover everything I wanted to see, and I hope to go back one day to do some of the hikes above ground. I would also like to see areas of the cave accessible only via a ranger-guided tour. When I have that chance, I’ll update my pages for the park as well as expand on the map below.
⅔ of Carlsbad Caverns is designated wilderness. If you’re ok with skipping the desert hikes or ranger-guided tours, you can get a good look at the most important section of the park on a self-guided tour of the main cave in just a half day.
Visitor Center
There’s one visitor center at the park. It’s located near the natural entrance to Carlsbad Cavern and is open daily from 8am to 5pm. There are exhibits on the geology, history, and wildlife of the park as well as a free 16-minute introductory film shown every half hour. A gift shop and restaurant are also on-site.
Reservations
Reservations are required to enter Carlsbad Cavern and must be purchased online ahead of time for US$1 (as of November 2023). All members of your party, regardless of age, must be included on the reservation and you must choose a time with a 60 minute window to enter the cave. The park is open year-round, and reservations are possible up to 30 days in advance.
Entrance Fees
Once you arrive, you must purchase a ticket to the cave. The entrance fee is US$15 per person aged 16 and over (as of November 2023). Holders of an interagency pass plus three adults are admitted free of charge, but if you’re entering with a pass, you are still required to get a ticket from the ticket counter in the visitor center. Ranger-guided tours are not covered by passes.
The cavern itself is open from 8am to 2:15pm. The last ticket is sold at 2:15pm and the last cavern entry is allowed at 2:30pm. The last time to start hiking out of the cavern is 2:30pm and the last elevator out is at 4:45pm.
Camping
There are no developed campgrounds at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, but camping is allowed in designated areas with a free backcountry permit. We stayed at the Great Western Inn and Suites in Carlsbad, just a short drive away. Our stay was so-so, but it was only for one night.
Activities
Desert hiking, stargazing, and bat flight programs are some of the outdoor activities available. There are also a handful of caves open for experienced and beginner cavers by obtaining a free backcountry cave permit at least a month in advance. Check the official website for more information on all of these activities.
Ranger-Guided Tours
Ranger-guided tours allow guests to explore inaccessible areas of the main cave as well as two other caves in the park for an extra fee. Space on these tours is limited and must be scheduled in advance. Minimum age limits vary for each tour.
Footwear
Hiking boots or hiking shoes with good tread are recommended in the main cave and required on most ranger-guided tours. Open-toed shoes, flip-flops, sandals, or similar are not recommended and are forbidden on ranger-guided tours.
