Basic Information

Physical Address

Directions

Operating Hours & Seasons

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The visitor center and cavern are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.

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September 3, 2019–May 22, 2020

Visitor Center Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Last entrance ticket sold: 3:15 pm

Hike INTO the cavern
8:30 am–2:30 pm

Last time to hike OUT of the cavern
3:30 pm (complete hike out by 4:30 pm) 

Elevator service INTO the cavern
8:30 am–3:30 pm

Last elevator OUT of the cavern
4:45 pm

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May 23, 2020–September 7, 2020

Visitor Center Hours: 8 am–7 pm
Last entrance ticket sold: 4:45 pm

Hike INTO the cavern
8:30 am–3:30 pm

Last time to hike OUT of the cavern
5 pm (complete hike out by 6 pm)

Elevator service INTO the cavern
8:30 am–5 pm

Last elevator OUT of the cavern
6:45 pm

Weather

Weather Details

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fee

All visitors who enter Carlsbad Cavern are required to purchase an entrance ticket, which is good for three days. If you are entering with a pass, please visit the ticket counter for your free admission ticket.

Adults (16 and older): $15 per person

Children (15 and under): Free

Pass Holders: Free

When using an America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Senior Pass, Access Pass, Military Pass or Volunteer Pass, the pass admits the cardholder plus three adults.

2019 Fee-Free Days

• Monday, January 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• Saturday, April 20 – First Day of National Park Week/National Junior Ranger Day

• Sunday, August 25 – National Park Service Anniversary

• Saturday, September 28 – National Public Lands Day

• Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day

Ranger-Guided Tours

Reservations are highly recommended for all ranger-guided tours, to make reservations you may call 1-877-444-6777 or go to recreation.gov.

Children under the age of 4 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 4 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $4 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Left Hand Tunnel: $7 for adults, $3.50 for children, under 6 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $3.50 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Slaughter Canyon Cave: $15 for adults, $7.50 for children, under 8 not permitted. $7.50 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.

Hall of the White Giant: $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 12 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Spider Cave: $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 12 not permitted. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Visitor Centers

Internet & Cellular Access

Public WiFi is available.

Internet & Cellular Access Details