Carlsbad Caverns National Park covers 46,766 acres in New Mexico. It became a national park on May 14, 1930, the 19th of today’s 64 parks to get that title. It recorded 410,778 recreation visits in 2025, the 46th most of the 63 parks with a 2025 count.
Today at Carlsbad Caverns
LiveLoading the forecast…
Checking park alerts…
Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for Visitor Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
In the park service’s words
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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Entrance fee and passes
The standard entrance pass is $15 per person. Per person age 16 and older; ages 15 and under free. A $1 timed entry reservation is also needed to enter the cavern.
Here the fee is charged per person. An America the Beautiful pass covers the pass holder plus three more adults.
Entrance is free for U.S. residents on the 2026 fee-free days.
Reservations and permits in 2026
A timed entry ticket ($1 on Recreation.gov) is needed to enter Carlsbad Cavern, on top of the entrance fee.
Check the park’s own site before you go, because these systems change from year to year.
Best time to visit
- Best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns: February and September to November. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: July, with about 51,557 visits in a typical recent year. That is 2.6 times as many as January.
- Quietest month: January (20,131 visits).
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
More detail: the best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns, month by month.
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit: crowds and weather month by month
- Itinerary: a ready-made day
- Things to do: 10 hikes and 7 other activities
- Getting there: Nearest gas to Visitor Center: Marathon in Whites City, 4.0 miles away. Closest airport Cavern City Air Terminal (22 mi)
- Know before you go: safety, what to pack and what to leave at home
Popular hikes
- Explore the Cavern at Your Own Pace (1 to 3 Hours): The Big Room and Natural Entrance trails can be enjoyed at your own pace. The Big Room Trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. The Natural Entrance Trail is strenuous. Enjoy one or both to experience a variety of cave formations.
- Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail (30 Minutes): Enjoy views of the Guadalupe Mountains and explore Chihuahuan Desert plant life along this short 0.7 mile (1.1 km) loop trail.
- Walnut Canyon Overlook Trail (5 Minutes): This short 180 yards (165 m) paved walkway provides great views of Walnut Canyon.
- Juniper Ridge Trail (3 Hours): Enjoy the Chihuahuan Desert in a serene landscape along this 3.5 mile (5 km) trail.
- Old Guano Trail (2 Hours): This 3.7 miles (6km) trail descends the escarpment, ending at the White's City campground.
Webcams
- Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Camera (live video)
Weather, in the park service’s words
The park service says:
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!
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Nearby national parks by road
- Guadalupe Mountains (Texas): about 53 min by car (39 miles)
- White Sands (New Mexico): about 4 h 15 min by car (189 miles)
- Big Bend (Texas): about 4 h 50 min by car (248 miles)
- Chiricahua (Arizona): about 7 h 45 min by car (420 miles)
Drive times run between the closest visitor centers of each pair, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads. Link several parks with the road trip planner.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Carlsbad Caverns National Park?
The standard entrance pass is $15 per person. Per person age 16 and older; ages 15 and under free. A $1 timed entry reservation is also needed to enter the cavern.
What state is Carlsbad Caverns National Park in?
New Mexico.
When did Carlsbad Caverns become a national park?
May 14, 1930.
How many people visit Carlsbad Caverns?
410,778 recreation visits were counted in 2025.
Do you need a reservation for Carlsbad Caverns in 2026?
A timed entry ticket ($1 on Recreation.gov) is needed to enter Carlsbad Cavern, on top of the entrance fee.
When is the best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns?
February and September to November. July is the busiest month and January the quietest while the park is fully open.
