Carlsbad CavernsNational Park

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.

Physical Address

Operating Hours & Seasons

Visit the Operating Hours & Seasons page to see specific hours for visitor center and cavern access.

Weather Details

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 (16 and older): $15 per person Children (15 and under): Free Pass Holders: Free

When using an America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Senior Pass, Access Pass, Military Pass or Volunteer Pass, the pass admits the cardholder plus three adults.

Ranger-Guided Tours

All tours remain temporarily suspended until further notice.

Reservations are highly recommended for all ranger-guided tours. To make reservations, call 1-877-444-6777 or go to recreation.gov . Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on any ranger-guided tours. Other age limits apply depending on the tour.

Internet & Cellular Access

Internet & Cellular Access Details

Alerts and other information.

Information on how to obtain permits for camping, special events, research, filming, and reservations for ranger-guided tours.

How to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park with a pet.

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers accessible parking, picnicking, dining, and visitor center services.

Experience Carlsbad Cavern

The park offers elevator service into and out of the cavern, where you can access the Big Room Trail. Please review our Accessibility Guide brochure.

The Big Room Trail is the only wheelchair accessible route in the cavern. You will discover this one mile (2 km) trail after you descend 750 feet (229 m) into the Underground Rest Area. Please note the trail is wet from dripping water and can be slippery, bumpy, uneven, and difficult to navigate. It is not Americans with Disabilities Act approved and should only be attempted with assistance. Maps defining the wheelchair accessible areas can be obtained in the visitor center. Due to steep grades and narrowness of the trail, barriers, and signs have been installed to note the portions that are inaccessible in a wheelchair. The Natural Entrance Trail is not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant due to its steep grade (15%–20%) and therefore not accessible with wheelchairs. Service Animals: Please visit our Service Animals information page.

Strollers: Strollers, baby carriages, and similar devices are prohibited in all caves except as necessary for children with mobility issues. If medically needed, they are allowed within the wheelchair-designated portions of the Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern, but never on the Natural Entrance Trail due to the steep grade.

Segways: Segways and similar large mobility devices are prohibited in all caves. Cave conditions pose an unacceptable hazard to the safety of the operators of such devices due to narrow trails, cave ceiling variations, and steep inclines.

Wheelchairs/Devices That Aid Walking: Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and similar devices are permitted in the wheelchair-designated portions of the Big Room only and not in other areas of the cavern or any other caves.

Canes/Walking Sticks: The possession and/or use of a walking stick within the cavern is prohibited, except for those individuals with limited mobility that are medically necessary. Visitors with canes/walking sticks must only use them on the paved trail and are required to have a rubber or soft tip.

Ranger-led tours are not accessible with wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or canes due to difficult and rugged trail conditions. Exception: You may use a cane or walking stick on the King's Palace tour if medically needed, but no wheelchairs, walkers, or scooters.

Park Brochure Audio Description

The park brochure is audio described and can be listened to on the Publications page .

Park Brochure in Large Print Format

The park brochure is available in large print at the visitor center information desk or can be downloaded .

The Western National Parks Association offers audio guides for rent that provide information about the cavern that is interesting and educational as you walk through the cavern. The script is also available for download to your personal device.

ASL Interpreter

We will provide a sign language interpreter with a minimum of two weeks' notice. Please email your questions to CAVE_Park_Information@nps.gov

Bat Flight Program

Reserved, accessible parking is available in the "Bat Flight Disabled Parking" area. Please look for the brown sign with the wheelchair icon before you arrive at the visitor center. The very upper row of the Bat Flight Amphitheater features a reserved area for visitors using wheelchairs. A family style accessible restroom is also available.

Visitor Center Parking

Accessible parking is marked with blue reserved signs. The visitor center, theater, gift shop, bookstore, restrooms, and restaurant can be accessed via ramps from the parking lot. You may enter the visitor center via automatic doors in the front.

Accessible picnic tables near the visitor center are located at the far end of the east parking lot as well as south of the restaurant. A few tables can be found along Walnut Canyon Drive—the main paved road from the park entrance.

A section of the outdoor nature trail near the visitor center is partially accessible to wheelchairs. The trailhead is located in the east parking lot. Please ask a ranger at the visitor center information desk for more details.

Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area

Located about 15 miles (24 km) from the visitor center, this grassy area features picnic tables and cooking grills under large cottonwood trees. Accessible restrooms and an accessible picnic table are available.

Walnut Canyon Desert Drive

A one-hour drive through the Chihuahuan Desert, this low speed, 9.5 mile (15 km) gravel road is suitable for most vehicles except motor homes and cars pulling trailers. The Walnut Canyon Desert Drive begins near the visitor center and a brochure is available upon request at the visitor center information desk.

Roadside Exhibits

Interpretive signs and bulletin boards are located at pull-outs along the park entrance road. Most are readable from your vehicle.

Additional Information

The park does not rent or loan any type of mobility assistance equipment (canes, wheelchairs, or scooters). Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, rubber tipped canes, and walking sticks needed for medical purposes are permitted in the cavern, but recreational walking or hiking sticks (or any kind of stick with a sharp, pointy end) are not permitted.

Please use careful consideration when deciding to walk down the Natural Entrance Trail if you have medical issues such as painful knees, hips, ankles or feet, trouble walking, a heart condition, breathing problems, issues climbing stairs, problems with balance, and/or difficulty seeing in dim light.

Consider that the Big Room has inclines and declines along the walking path. If your mobility is limited, please plan accordingly.

Small oxygen tanks are permitted in the cavern for medical reasons. Ensure you have plenty of oxygen and new batteries for your time in the cavern. If you have breathing problems, you may want to bring a personal inhaler with you due to high humidity in the cavern.

Flashlights and helmets with headlamps are permitted in the cavern.

Key Information

Make a reservation This park has a timed entry system. You may need to make a reservation in advance. Reservations and timed entry

Get an entrance pass All visitors must have one of these entrance passes: Pass Price Standard Pass $15.00 America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$250.00 Help me choose an entrance pass

Reservations and Timed Entry

Carlsbad Cavern Reservation

Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern

A timed entry reservation must be purchased to access Carlsbad Cavern. In addition, an entry pass must be purchased at the visitor center. Time entry reservations ensure a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations.

Carlsbad Cavern is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years days.

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

Entrance Passes

Standard Entrance Pass

For Individuals

All visitors over the age of 16 need an entrance pass, including vehicle passengers. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.

Per Person $15.00

In-person Purchase Locations

Visitor Center Cash or Credit/Debit

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

National Park Service

US Fish & Wildlife Service

US Forest Service

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Reclamation

US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen . Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

Physical passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.

Skip the wait! Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass through recreation.gov. Your digital pass can be saved to a mobile device and used immediately.

Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to US citizens and residents (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

February 16 : Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)

May 25 : Memorial Day

June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday

July 3–5: Independence Day weekend

August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service

September 17: Constitution Day

October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday

November 11: Veterans Day

Ranger-Guided Tours

All tours are temporarily suspended until further notice. When offered, availability on all ranger-guided tours is limited. It's recommended that you plan ahead and reserve early. To make reservations, call 877-444-6777 or go to Recreation.gov . Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on any ranger-guided tours. Other age limits apply depending on the tour.

To access Carlsbad Caverns National Park's only entrance road, Carlsbad Caverns Highway, turn north from US Hwy 62/180 at White's City, New Mexico—20 miles (32 km) southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico and 145 miles (233 km) northeast of El Paso, Texas. The entrance road stretches a scenic seven miles (11 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, New Mexico 88220 There is ample RV parking in our west parking lot, which is the first parking lot you see on your left when you arrive at the visitor center. Pull to the rear of the lot for RV spots. Carlsbad is served by Greyhound and TNM&O bus lines. Major airlines serve Roswell and 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 / kilometers)

Albuquerque: 304 / 489

Lubbock: 206 / 332

Amarillo: 329 / 529

Midland: 194 / 312

Dallas: 500 / 805

Odessa: 174 / 280

Denver: 626 / 1007

Phoenix: 581 / 935

El Paso: 151 / 243

Roswell: 103 / 166

Las Cruces: 197 / 317

San Antonio: 461 / 742

Here are some tips to ensure your trip is the safest it can be:

Take time to ensure that the activity you have chosen is the best one for you. All cavern tours, nature walks, and hikes can be strenuous, so be sure you understand what will be required of you before the acitivity starts. If you are unsure, ask a park ranger to explain the requirements.

Some areas of the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails are wet from natural water drips and steep. For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction (e.g. lug soles) are recommended. Flip flops, sandals, and some walking shoes have little or no traction and increase the possibility of slips, trips, and falls.

Visitors under the age 16 must be accompanied by an adult, age 18 or over.

All cavern tours require that you wear shirts and shoes.

Metal framed backpacks or backpacks that extend above the shoulders or of a length that extends below the hips are prohibited (e.g. trekking backpacks).

Walking sticks and canes are permitted on cave tours if medically necessary. They must have a rubber or soft tip.

Smoking is not permitted in the cavern, at the cavern entrance, or inside any of the facilities.

Do not approach or feed animals. All wildlife in the park are wild and feeding them harms their health. Wildlife can be dangerous, even the most harmless looking deer, squirrel, or raccoon.

Be aware while driving. Wildlife such as deer, sheep, and javelina are often visible along the sides of the road. Make sure to use extra caution while driving as these animals may walk into the roadway.

When hiking, always tell others where you are going and the approximate time you are returning.

Report any hazards or suspicious activity to a park ranger.

Backcountry and Trail Closures Due to Flood Damage

The following areas and trails are closed: Guadalupe Ridge (visitor center to Slaughter Canyon Trail) Rattlesnake Canyon Juniper Ridge. Click for more information...

The following areas and trails are closed:

Guadalupe Ridge (visitor center to Slaughter Canyon Trail)

Rattlesnake Canyon

Click for more information...

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir Surface hiking at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great and rewarding way to experience the environs of the Guadalupe Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert. Stop by the visitor center and ask a park ranger about the current and forecasted park conditions before heading out. Be prepared! Understand that mental attitude and adequate water and food consumption are absolutely essential to the success of any hike. The day hiker and the overnight backpacker must be equally prepared for the lack of water, extreme temperatures, and isolation in the backcountry. Safety is your responsibility. Planning is important, but also knowing how to be self-sufficient in case you encounter an unexpected hazard or an emergency occurs.

NPS / Lauren Miller

Bring the 10 Essentials

Layers of clothing

Flashlight or headlamp

Pocket knife or multi-tool

Sun protection (for eyes and skin)

Food (hiking drains energy quickly)

Water (2 quarts (1.9 L) per two hiking hours)

Sturdy shoes or boots (to protect against desert plants)

Navigation (topographical map and compass)

Emergency shelter (for rapidly changing weather)

Safety and Protecting the Desert Environment

Help protect the fragile desert environment by staying on established trails, avoid stepping on biological soil crusts, and do not shortcut switchbacks. Trails are typically marked by signs or rock cairns.

Let the slowest hiker set the pace, and always stay together.

Pets are not permitted on trails or anywhere in the backcountry.

Take breaks often and know your limits. If you can talk while walking, you are at a good speed.

Try to keep a distance of at least 100 yards (91 m) from all wildlife encountered during your hike.

Remember that all park resources—fossils, plants, animals, artifacts, and rocks—are to remain as you find them.

There is no reliable water source in the park’s backcountry. Pack plenty of water—at least one gallon (3.8 L) per person per day.

Remember that your hike time includes the time to your destination and back. Set a turnaround time if your trip is taking longer than planned.

Do not rely on your phone for assistance; reception is limited. Have a backup way of signaling for help if needed such as a whistle or signal mirror.

Try to plan your day to not hiking between 10 am and 4 pm, when high temperatures and direct overhead sun are more prevalent.

If there is lightning, go to low-lying areas away from cliff edges, lone trees, poles, or metal objects. Do not seek shelter in caves or alcoves. Become a smaller target by squatting low on the ground. Place hands on knees or back of neck with head between knees. Minimize contact with the ground and nearby rocks. Be mindful that the area is prone to flash flooding.

The following trail links are sorted by estimated one-way travel times beginning with the shortest.

Walnut Canyon Overlook

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail

Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail

Old Guano Trail

Lower Rattlesnake Canyon

Upper Rattlesnake Canyon to Guadalupe Ridge Loop

Slaughter Canyon

Guadalupe Ridge

Guadalupe Ridge Trail

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Map [jpg]

Be aware that desert temperatures, thorny vegetation, and predators may be a serious threat to your pet's well-being. Please consider the following points before deciding to bring a pet:

Pets are not allowed in the cavern, on unpaved park trails on the surface, off road, during the Bat Flight Program, or in the visitor center.

Pets need to be on a leash no longer than six feet in length when outside your vehicle.

You are not allowed to leave your pet unattended in vehicles . They must be kenneled; more information regarding kenneling below.

Pet etiquette and park regulations require that you always clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in trash receptacles.

Kennel Information

The park concessioner, Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company, operates a kennel service where you may leave your pet in a temperature controlled environment while you tour the cavern. The kennel is for day use only—no overnight stays. Fee: $15/day Vaccine Requirements

For dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella (kennel cough), and Canine Influenza.

For cats: Rabies, Distemper, and Panleukopenia.

Owners are required to show a copy of the pet's vaccination record with the expiration date when boarding a pet. No exceptions. Collar tags don't meet this requirement and won't be accepted.

Please be prepared with pet vaccine information when checking in.

Operating Hours: 9:00 am–3:30 pm Last Time to Drop-Off Pet: 2:15 pm Last Time to Pick-Up Pet: 3:30 pm Reservations are not accepted. This service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. They rarely run out of cage space, but if they do, the larger cages go first. There are three sizes of cages, length x height x width: 49" x 37" x 44" 47" x 24" x 32" 47" x 24" x 24" Pets are kept in cages relative to their size, such as a small dog in a small cage. Water is provided for the pet, but the owner must provide food or bedding if they feel it's needed. The concessioner accepts no responsibility for injuries that might occur during a pet's stay in the kennels. Employees do not handle pets and do not remain in the kennel room with the pets. If you have more specific questions, contact the Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company at 575-785-2281.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures from 90º to the low 100sºF (32º to about 40ºC). On hot days, please use caution. If hiking, bring plenty of water and a cell phone (reception can be spotty in the backcountry), hike early, use sunscreen, and wear a hat. Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early spring (March–May) with frequent rain in late summer/early fall (August–September). This part of the country can also experience 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! Weather forecasts are available from the National Weather Service . Current weather conditions at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.