National Parks Journal
Photo: NPS / Michael Larson
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.
Entrance Fees
Activities
Top Hikes
1.25 mi · 750 ft gain · out & back
Follows the route of early explorers descending 750 feet into the cavern through the massive natural entrance.
Starts at: Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance
1.25 mi · 50 ft gain · loop
Mostly level loop through the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. Partially wheelchair accessible.
Starts at: Big Room (via elevator or Natural Entrance)
0.7 mi · 100 ft gain · loop
Interpretive loop identifying desert plants of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Starts at: East Parking Lot
3.7 mi · 572 ft gain · out & back
Follows the historic road once used to haul guano from the cavern in the early 1900s with mining operation ruins.
Starts at: Adjacent to Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance
Upcoming Events
Please join us for the free Bat Flight Program (April through October), an evening ranger talk about bats prior to their flight. No reservations are required for this program that occurs every evening from April through October. The program takes place at the Bat Flight Amphitheater, located at the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. The start time for the program changes as the summer progresses and sunset times change. Programs may be cancelled in the event of lightning.
Event will happen after the Bat Flight Program. Visitors should be mindful of their headlights. Turn them off after parking. Park facing toward the visitor center. Use red lens flashlights or headlamps if you have them.
This is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) round trip hike along an unimproved trail, marked only by stick posts and rock piles in low-light conditions. Sharp-pointed plants with thorns are very common along the trail with a slight but rocky slope.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to visit: January, February, October, November, December
Pleasant weather with fewer crowds
Weather & Climate
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!