To access Carlsbad Caverns National Park's only entrance road, New Mexico Highway 7, turn north from US Hwy 62/180 at White's City, New Mexico - which is 20 miles southwest of Carlsbad, NM and 145 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas. The entrance road stretches a scenic 7-miles (11.3 km) from the park gate at White's City to the visitor center and cavern entrance. The address for the park's visitor center is 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, located 27 miles from the town of Carlsbad.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures between 90 - low 100s(F). 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!
ALL visitors who enter Carlsbad Cavern are required to purchase an entrance ticket, which is good for three days.
Adults (16 and older) - $10
Children (15 and under) - Free
When using an America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Annual Pass, Senior Pass, Access Pass, Military Pass or Volunteer Pass, the pass admits the cardholder plus three adults (where a per person fee is charged).
Ranger-led Tours - $0.00
Children under the age of 4 are not permitted on any ranger-guided tours. General Admission applies for all tours.
King's Palace - $8/adults, $4/children, 4 and older allowed.
Left Hand Tunnel - $7/adults, $3.50/children, 6 and older.
Slaughter Canyon Cave - $15/adults, $7.50/children, 8 and older.
Lower Cave - $20/adults, $10/children, under 12 not permitted
Hall of the White Giant - $20/adults, $10/children, 12 and older.
Spider Cave - $20/adults, $10/children, 12 and older.
The visitor center offers many services, including a bookstore, gift shop, restaurant, restrooms, a park movie, information desk, ticket counter and wonderful, hands-on educational exhibits. It's also where you will find the elevator to lower you into the cave 750 feet in less than a minute!
Visitor Center in the background.
NPS Photo
Thank you for considering a visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park! The park is home to world famous and beautifully decorated caverns as well as 46,000+ wild acres of pristine Chihuahuan Desert.
Visitor Center Hours:
8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. after Labor Day weekend through Memorial Day weekend The visitor center and cave is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days
Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy your trip:
Trying to decide which tour to go on?We offer a wide range of cave toursfor all levels of experience and expertise.
Want to make reservations for a ranger-guided tour? Self-guided tours do not require reservations but ranger-guided tours do. For reservations call 1.877.444.6777 or visitrecreation.gov
Need information on accessibility in the park? Our Accessibility Guide is available.
Why we ask you if you have visited another cave site recently? White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease affecting hibernating bats, named for the white fungus that appears on the muzzle and other parts of their bodies. WNS is associated with extensive mortality of bats in eastern North America. If you have visited another cave site recently and are wearing the same shoes and/or clothing you will need to go through a cleaning process that will take just a few minutes before you enter the cave.
Finding that you want more information before you arrive?Read Things to Know Before You Come section of this website as well as other links.
Still have a question that hasn't been answered? Email the park and ask a ranger at: cave_park_information@nps.gov or call 575-785-2232.
Firearms Rules
As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Federal law continues to prohibit firearms in certain facilities, such as park visitor centers. These facilities are posted with appropriate notices at public entrances. At Carlsbad Caverns, firearms are not allowed in the Visitor Center, including the restaurant, gift shop, kennel, the park's maintenance yard, park office buildings, or inside caves where guided tours occur; including Carlsbad Cavern, Slaughter Canyon Cave and Spider Cave. The new federal law has no effect on existing laws and regulations regarding the use of firearms in national parks or hunting. Hunting, target shooting, and any other use of firearms are not allowed in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit our state's website New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
