Operating Hours & Seasons

Timed Entry Tickets Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern

• Reservations are strongly recommended and can purchased online or by calling 877-444-6777.
• Reservations are only for selecting the entry time.
• Upon arrival at the visitor center, entrance tickets must be purchased.

 

COVID-19 Operations

Click for information about what to expect when visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days. This includes the visitor center, cavern, roads, and trails.

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Visitor Center Hours
8 am–5 pm

Last Cavern Entrance Ticket Sold
2:15 pm

Last Cavern Entrance
2:30 pm

Elevator

• INTO the Cavern
  8:30 am–2:30 pm

• Last Elevator OUT of the Cavern
  4:45 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)