The Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company (CCTC) restaurant has limited food options and bottled, fountain, and hot drinks. The restaurant is located in the visitor center, past the gift shop, and open until 4 pm. Note that due to COVID-19, food cannot be consumed in the restaurant, but there are outside picnic tables.
While you are touring Carlsbad Cavern, you may take a break in the underground rest area, located at the base of the elevators. This area has restrooms, drinking fountains, and a limited snack bar operated by CCTC. Food purchased in the underground snack bar must be consumed there.
Please keep in mind that in order to protect the cavern and the wildlife, any consumption of food and drink, except plain, unflavored water, is prohibited in any cave except in the underground snack bar in Carlsbad Cavern. Diabetics and persons with other medical conditions requiring them to eat or drink while in the cavern are permitted on a limited basis. Food use has the potential for cavern contamination, increased litter, and increased animal attraction into cavern areas not usually frequented by wildlife.
If you brought food with you, picnic tables are located at the east end of the visitor center parking lot and at the Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area, about 15 miles (24 km) from the visitor center. Please check with a park ranger for fire restrictions before using a grill or camp stove.
Outside of the park, dining is available seven miles (11 km) from the visitor center in White's City, New Mexico or in Carlsbad, New Mexico, about 20 miles (32 km) away. For a list of restaurants, contact the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce at 575-887-6516 or visit www.carlsbadchamber.com.
Sleeping
Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers no overnight lodging or campgrounds. Primitive camping is allowed in the backcountry only, and requires a free permit which is issued at the park's visitor center when you arrive (not reservable in advance).
Overnight RV parking is not permitted in the park.
A campground and amenities are available seven miles (11 km) from the visitor center in White's City, New Mexico.
Carlsbad, New Mexico also has numerous lodging and campground options. Carlsbad is located about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of the park, on Highway 62/180. For a list of businesses, please contact the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce at 575-887-6516 or visit www.carlsbadchamber.com.
The park is surrounded by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and they allow permit-free RV/tent camping. Check with the local Carlsbad BLM office for regulations 575-234-5972.
You may also consider camping at Guadalupe Mountains National Park campground, 40-minutes away in Texas. www.nps.gov/gumo.
