News Release

Free Admission on Four Days in 2018

Date: December 15, 2017
Contact: Michael Larson

The National Park Service announced today that the public will be invited to experience all national parks, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park, without entrance fees, on four days in 2018.

 The 2018 entrance fee-free days are:

• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 21: First Day of National Park Week
• September 22: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day 

"National parks connect all of us with our country’s amazing nature, culture and history,” said National Park Service Deputy Director Michael T. Reynolds. "The days that we designate as fee free for national parks mark opportunities for the public to participate in service projects, enjoy ranger-led programs, or just spend time with family and friends exploring these diverse and special places. We hope that these fee-free days offer visitors an extra incentive to enjoy their national parks in 2018.”

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its spectacular formations and one of the largest cave chambers. There also are a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles that make their home on the surface in the Chihuahuan Desert. And from late spring into fall about 400,000 Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from Carlsbad Cavern every evening.

Usually, Carlsbad Caverns National Park has an entrance fee of $10 per person, ages 16 and older. The entrance fee waiver does not cover tour fees. 

Last year, Carlsbad Caverns National Park had 466,772 visitors. Those visitors spent $30,064,000 in local communities which helped to support 444 jobs. 

Normally, 118 of the 417 national parks charge an entrance fee. The other 299 national parks do not have entrance fees. The entrance fee waiver for the fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that charge an entrance fee. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth grade students, and disabled citizens.