Carlsbad Caverns National Park — Visitor Info

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park protects one of the largest cave chambers in North America — the Big Room — along with over 119 other mapped caves beneath the Chihuahuan Desert. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: All ranger-guided cave tours are currently suspended until further notice — only self-guided access to the Big Room and Natural Entrance is available. Always check the official Carlsbad Caverns Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Southeastern New Mexico, near Carlsbad
Entrance Fee
$15/person (no separate vehicle fee) + $1 timed-entry reservation
Reservation Needed to Enter?
Yes — timed entry required to enter the cavern, year-round
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping (free)
Lodging
None in-park — no developed campground either; nearby Whites City or Carlsbad
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center
At the top of the cavern, above ground. This is where you buy entrance passes, pick up backcountry permits, and access the elevator down to the Big Room.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor center page before you go.

Entering the Cavern: Fees & Timed Entry

Carlsbad Caverns doesn't charge a per-vehicle entrance fee — instead, everyone 16 and older pays a $15 per-person cave entrance fee at the visitor center, plus a $1 timed-entry reservation booked through Recreation.gov, required year-round to control crowding and protect the cave formations. You can enter either by elevator or by hiking down the steep, paved 1.25-mile Natural Entrance Trail; both routes lead to the Big Room Trail. The cavern is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov. Cave entrance and timed-entry fees still apply.

Ranger-Guided Tours — Currently Suspended

Beyond the self-guided Big Room and Natural Entrance routes, the park normally offers ranger-guided tours into other formations (like the King's Palace). These are currently suspended until further notice. When running, they require a separate reservation and fee, and have age restrictions (no children under 6). Check the current tours page before planning around one.

Permits & Reservations

Beyond the required cavern timed-entry reservation above, you also need a permit for:

Backcountry Camping

Free backcountry permits are available at the visitor center (same-day, no advance reservation) for camping in the park's Chihuahuan Desert wilderness, including along the Guadalupe Ridge Trail. Sites must be well away from trails, roads, and water sources; no campfires are permitted anywhere in the park.

Campgrounds & RV Options

There is no developed campground or RV park anywhere in Carlsbad Caverns National Park — the only overnight option inside park boundaries is backcountry tent camping by free permit.

Backcountry Camping
Free, permit required (same-day at the visitor center), no reservations. Maximum stay 7 consecutive nights. No campfires. This is tent/backpack camping only — not RV-accessible.

For RVs or developed camping, the nearest options are about 7 miles away in Whites City, New Mexico, just outside the park.

Good to Know

  • Book the cave, not just the park: the $1 timed-entry reservation is easy to overlook but required to enter the cavern at all — book it before you arrive.
  • No lodging or campground on-site: plan to stay in Whites City or Carlsbad, about 20–30 minutes away.
  • Bat flight programs: seasonal evening bat flight programs (when the park's Brazilian free-tailed bat colony is present, roughly late spring through fall) are a separate highlight — check the current schedule.
  • Cell service is limited both above and (obviously) below ground — save your reservation confirmation before you go.
  • Temperature underground stays a steady ~56°F year-round — bring a light jacket regardless of the season outside.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, tour availability, and reservation requirements change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Carlsbad Caverns National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Self-Guided Tours · NPS – Backcountry Permits · NPS – Alerts & Conditions