National Parks Journal
Photo: NPS / Michael Larson · Public domain
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
Getting There
Roads and entrances can close temporarily. Check current conditions on nps.gov (opens in a new tab) before you go.
Entrances
- Directions to Park Entrance at White's City (opens in a new tab)
Park Entrance at White's CityMain
White's City, NM · Open year-round, 24 hours (entrance road gate times can vary; check hours)
- Directions to Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center (opens in a new tab)
Carlsbad Caverns Visitor CenterMain
Carlsbad, NM · Open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day; hours vary
Airports
- CNM
Cavern City Air Terminal · Carlsbad, NM
ClosestSmall airportSmall airport. Contour Airlines flies to Albuquerque and Denver (Essential Air Service).
- ELP
El Paso International Airport · El Paso, TX
Major airport
Distances are approximate road distances; tap a distance for live driving directions.
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.
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 Carlsbad Caverns
Best time to visit: May–June, September–October
The best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park is May–June and September–October. The nightly bat flight program runs from late May through October, and the cave stays around 56°F year-round.
In those months, average highs are 76–92°F at Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center. Visitor numbers peak in July, and September is noticeably quieter.
Monthly averages at Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center (4,410 ft). Climate normals (1991–2020): PRISM Group, Oregon State University.
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!
