Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 9:00–14:30

From 56 published days, 2026-10-20 to 2026-12-14; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Restrooms, Visitor center, Store / concessions.

At the park

• Caves & caverns scenic feature

Events

• Bat Flight Program 05:30 PM · The seating area where you will sit to watch the bats is located at the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern, about a five minute walk from the visitor center.
• Programa bilingüe de los murciélagos
• Night Hike
• Star Viewing 06:30 PM–08:00 PM · Viewing will take place in the east parking lot near the picnic benches

Before you go

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

Limits

For ranger-guided tours , advance reservations are required

Limits

Tripods, bipods, and monopods are prohibited in Carlsbad Cavern

Limits

Eating and drinking anything except plain water is not allowed because food attract animals like raccoons and ringtails into the cavern

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.

Weather & when to go

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!