Fees & Passes

Key Information

1. This park has a timed entry system. You may need to make a reservation in advance.

   Reservations and timed entry

2. Get an entrance pass

   All visitors must have one of these entrance passes:

   Pass	Price
   Standard Pass	$15.00
   America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes)	FREE–$80.00

   Help me choose an entrance pass

Reservations and Timed Entry

Carlsbad Cavern Reservation

Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern

Book now Carlsbad Cavern Reservation

Dates applicable

Jan 1–Dec 31

Cost

$1.00

A 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.

Exceptions

Carlsbad Cavern is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years days.

Show lessabout Carlsbad Cavern Reservation

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

I'm visiting...	We recommend
This park, once	Standard Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site	America the Beautiful Pass

Entrance Passes

• Standard Pass
• America the Beautiful Pass

Standard Entrance Pass

$15.00

An entrance fee is required to enter Carlsbad Cavern and provides access by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov.

Per Person

$15.00

Entrance 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.

In-person Purchase Locations

• Visitor Center

  Cash or Credit/Debit

More information

Show less about Standard Entrance Pass

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

• National Park Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• US Forest Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
One private vehicle fee
or
Four per person fees

Type	Available to	Price
Annual Pass	Everyone	$80.00
Annual Senior Pass	US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old	$20.00
Lifetime Senior Pass	US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old	$80.00
Annual Military Pass	Current US military and dependents	Free
Lifetime Military Pass	Gold Star Family members and veterans	Free
Access Pass	US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disability	Free
4th Grade Pass	US 4th graders	Free
Volunteer Pass	Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours	Free

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

In Person (Recommended)

Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

Order Online, Receive by Mail

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store or by phone: [phone], extension 1. Hours of operation are 8 am to 4 pm Mountain Time.

Close

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Monday, January 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week
• Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth
• Sunday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 28 — National Public Lands Day
• Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

Ranger-Guided Tours

Except for the King's Palace and Lower Cave tours, all other tours are temporarily suspended until further notice.

Reservations are highly recommended for all ranger-guided tours. To make reservations, call 877-444-6777 or go to Recreation.gov. Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on any ranger-guided tours. Other age limits apply depending on the tour.

King's Palace: $8 for adults, $4 for children, under 6 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $4 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Lower Cave: $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 12 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.