Planning Your Visit to Carlsbad Caverns

A visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park is most enjoyable when it is pre-planned. We suggest you begin by deciding which tours are appropriate for you and your family.

Make reservations for guided tours by calling 1.877.444.6777 or make them online at Recreation.gov (http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?parkId=77813&agency=NRSO). Some tours are limited and fill up quickly, so plan well in advance.

For students and participants (to include scouting groups, civic or special-interest clubs and organizations, church groups, etc.), the park requires responsible chaperones to accompany the group. At a minimum, one adult chaperone is required for every 10 minors.

NOTE: Baby strollers are not permitted in the cave. Bring a baby backpack if you need to carry your child.

Children 3 years of age and under are not permitted on any of the guided tours offered at Carlsbad Caverns.

Entrance Fees

The park and its entrances are open year-round (except for December 25) The park's Regular Hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. are in effect after Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend. Tours are available 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Last entry into cave via natural entrance is 2:00. Last entry into cave via elevator is 3:30. The park's Extended Hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. are in effect from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Tours are available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry into cave via natural entrance is 3:30. Last Entry into cave via elevator is 5:00.

All visitors who enter Carlsbad Cavern—for any tour—are required to purchase an Entrance Fee ticket. This ticket is good for 3 days. Children 15 and under are admitted free into the park.

The America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass — Annual Pass is available to the general public for $80 and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge entrance fees for one year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the pass holder and up to three additional adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass (http://store.usgs.gov/pass) 

The America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass — Senior Pass is available to US citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over for $10. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and up to three additional adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

The America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass — Access Pass is a free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and up to three additional adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). ). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

The America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass — Volunteer Pass is free for volunteers acquiring 500 service hours (hours acquired after January 1, 2007) on a cumulative basis. It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of award. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). Contact the park's VIP coordinator at 505-785-3097 to learn about volunteer opportunities at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

All National Parks Passes, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.

Ranger-Guided Tour Fees

Kings Palace HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/kings_palace.htm"Kings Palace. $8 for adults, $4 for children, under 4 not permitted. Must also purchase Entrance Fee ticket. $4 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Left Hand TunnelHYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/left_hand_tunnel.htm"Left Hand Tunnel. $7 for adults, $3.50 for children, under 6 not permitted. Must also purchase Entrance Fee ticket. $3.50 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Slaughter Canyon Cove HYPERLINK "http://cms.imr.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/slaughter_canyon_cave_tour.htm"Slaughter Canyon Cave. $15 for adults, $7.50 for children, under 6 not permitted. $7.50 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Lower Cave HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/lower_cave.htm"Lower Cave. $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 12 not permitted. Must also purchase Entrance Fee ticket. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Hall of the White GiantHYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/hall_white_giant.htm"Hall of the White Giant. $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 12 not permitted. Must also purchase Entrance Fee ticket. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Spider Cave HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/spider_cave.htm"Spider Cave. $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 12 not permitted. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Getting to Yosemite

Visitors arrive by way of U.S. Highway 62/180 from either Carlsbad, New Mexico (23 miles to the northeast) or El Paso, Texas (150 miles to the west). A scenic 7-mile (11.3 km) entrance road leads from the park gate at Whites City to the visitor center and cavern entrance.

Carlsbad is served by Greyhound and TNM&O bus lines. Mesa Airlines offers passenger service between Carlsbad and Albuquerque. Major airlines serve Albuquerque, New Mexico; and El Paso, Lubbock and Midland, Texas. Rental cars and taxi service are available from the airport in Carlsbad.

Driving Distances (in miles)

Albuquerque — 304

Amarillo — 329 

Dallas — 500

Denver — 626

El Paso — 151

Las Cruces — 197

Lubbock — 206

Midland — 194

Odessa — 174

Phoenix — 581 

Roswell — 103

San Antonio — 461

Weather

The weather in southern New Mexico can change quickly at any time of the year. Winter is often cold and dry with occasional snow and ice storms. Spring is known to be extremely windy. Summer is very hot and violent lightning storms are not uncommon in the evenings. Fall is usually mild and without extremes...

The weather in the cave is a mild 56°F (13°C) year-round. A light jacket and comfortable shoes with rubber soles are appropriate year-round.