Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Entrance fee provides access to Carlsbad Cavern by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov.
NM
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Hours
Open daily · 9:00AM - 2:30PM
Entrance Fee
$15.00
Entrance - Per Person
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Carlsbad Caverns at a glance
- Best time
- January–February, April–May, August–December
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area
- Nearby city
- Gateway towns in NM
Explore this park
About Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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.
5 current NPS alerts
- Information: Fire Restrictions
- Information: Closures Due to Flood Damage
- Information: Items Worn or Used in Other Caves Not Allowed
- +2 more in the Alerts tab
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Carlsbad Caverns National Park page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico.
- Spring
(March-May) with frequent rain in early
- Summer
are hot with temperatures between 90°F (32°C) and low 100s °F (38°C).
- Fall
(August-September).
- Winter
with occasional snow and icy conditions.
Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early This part of the country also sees cold temperatures Most days, the park is enveloped by a gorgeous blue sky with very few clouds, 278 sunny days a year!
Entrance Fees
Timed Entry Reservation - Location
$1.00A timed entry reservation must be purchased to access Carlsbad Cavern. In addition, an entry pass must be purchased at the visitor center. Time entry reservations ensure a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations.
Operating Hours
Hours
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open 24-hours a day. Visitor center hours and cave tour schedule vary throughout the year.
- Monday9:00AM - 2:30PM
- Tuesday9:00AM - 2:30PM
- Wednesday9:00AM - 2:30PM
- Thursday9:00AM - 2:30PM
- Friday9:00AM - 2:30PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 2:30PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 2:30PM
Common questions
Planning Carlsbad Caverns
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
No park-wide entry reservation, but cave tour timed entry is required year-round (separate from the entrance pass). TrailVerse lists 3 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours and Carlsbad Caverns Timed Entry Reservation — covering timed entry and activity permits. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
