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 (ages 16 and older): $15 per person
Children (ages 15 and younger): Free
America The Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes
The America The Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States. Passes cover:
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Entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges
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Standard amenity fees (day-use fees) at national forests and grasslands and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers
In general, one pass covers the fees listed above for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or up to four adults at sites that charge per person. Children age 15 or under are admitted free. Some passes provide additional benefits, such as a 50% discount on camping at some sites for holders of Senior or Access Passes. Always check with individual sites for details.
Available passes include:
More information about the America the Beautiful–The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series, including available passes, costs, benefits, and how and where they may be obtained, is available. Learn More About National Parks and Federal Lands Passes.
Free Entrance for U.S. Military Veterans with Identification
Free entry is available to veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of identification when entering a national park:
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Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)
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Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
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Veteran ID Card
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Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card
Learn more about free entrance to National Parks for veterans
Free Entrance for Gold Star Families with Voucher
Free entry is available to Gold Star Families, who are next of kin of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the U.S. Armed Forces.Qualifying families must download a voucher to fill out before arriving at the park.
Learn more about free entrance for Gold Star families
2023 Fee-Free Days
Ranger-Guided Tours
Except for the King's Palace Tour, all other tours are temporarily suspended until further notice.
Reservations are highly recommended for all ranger-guided tours, to make reservations you may call 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.
