Underground Wonders: How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns with Confidence
How to Get to Carlsbad Caverns
How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns: Carlsbad Caverns is in a remote location in the south of New Mexico, just off Route 62. If you’re coming from the west, as we did, you’ll pass Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The small city of Carlsbad is 20 miles northeast of the park.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The park is busiest in summer, but since the main attraction (the caverns) is underground and remains 56°F (13°C) year-round (NPS), rather than the above-ground trails, temperature is less important and depends on your broader plans. For example, if you’re looking to visit the nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park for some hiking, you might choose to visit in the spring or autumn when it’s cooler. Another consideration is the nearby amenities, some of which may shut down during the quieter season.
Timed Entry Reservations
The park has implemented a timed entry system, so plan as far in advance as possible and go to Recreation.gov to book a timed entry pass.
Carlsbad Caverns Elevator
If needed, an elevator can take you directly from the Visitor Center down to the Big Room, about 750 feet underground. However, the elevators have occasionally been closed due to mechanical issues. Be sure to check the National Park Service website for the latest status before your visit.
Natural Entrance Trail
We entered via the Natural Entrance Trail. If and when the elevators are working again, I’d advise taking this trail to enter the caverns, if you are able (NPS states: “This trail is not recommended for visitors with heart or respiratory conditions”).
It’s amazing to slowly descend into the caverns and see the colors change, feel the temperature drop, and sense the anticipation grow—just as James White must have when he discovered the Natural Entrance around 1898
Of course, now we have the comfort of low-level lighting, switchbacks, and a perfectly flat trail. It took around 45 minutes to walk the 1.25-mile trail, taking photos and videos at a relaxed pace. There are also displays to read about the formation of the rocks and early exploration of the cavern.
The Big Room
The Big Room is, unsurprisingly, large. It’s 1.25 miles long, but because the lighting is kept low-level and the stalagmites rise from the floor, you don’t always get a full sense of its enormous size.
It’s easy walking if you’re a regular hiker, and there’s a logical loop you can follow around the room to ensure you don’t miss anything. At times, it felt like being in a natural cathedral. The best sense of its enormity came for us when we saw a local football team taking their team photo in the distance. Many minutes later, when we were close-up, the players and squad of some 30-50 people were dwarfed by the scale of the room.
Carlsbad Caverns Ranger Tours
For tips on How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns via a Ranger Tour, type “Carlsbad Caverns National Park tours” into the search bar on Recreation.gov. This allows you to book any remaining tours. When we visited, we were able to book three months in advance. Our ranger-led tour had a maximum limit of 20 people, so tours can sell out fast. We took the King’s Palace Tour. At the time of writing, all tours are temporarily suspended until further notice (NPS). Check the park’s website for updates.
King’s Palace Tour
Initially, we struggled to find the starting location of the tour and scampered around trying to figure out where it could be. Eventually, we found it near the elevators and an area with shops and restrooms. The tour lasted around 90 minutes and was high quality, taking us to parts of the cavern that are inaccessible on the self-guided tour.
See & View How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns — YouTube Guide
Carlsbad Caverns FAQs
Do I need timed entry reservations for Carlsbad Caverns? Yes. To enter the cave, visitors must book a timed entry slot in advance. Reservations cost $1 per person and can be made online at Recreation.gov. . This secures your entry time, but you’ll still need to pay the standard park admission when you arrive, so plan to get there well before your scheduled entry.
What is the entrance fee for Carlsbad Caverns? Admission is $15 for adults ages 16 and up. Children under 15 are free. If you have an America the Beautiful pass (annual, senior, military, access, or 4th grade), your entry is included.
What are the hours at Carlsbad Caverns? The visitor center is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The last tickets are sold mid‑afternoon, and the final elevator ride down is at 2:30 pm. Elevators back up stop just before closing. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Are ranger‑guided tours available? Yes. Rangers lead special tours into areas beyond the Big Room, including King’s Palace, Left Hand Tunnel, and Slaughter Canyon Cave. We took the King’s Palace Tour — see my YouTube clip for more details. These tours require reservations and have additional fees. They vary in difficulty, with the most challenging involving ladders and tight spaces, so check details carefully before booking.
Can you camp at Carlsbad Caverns? There are no developed campgrounds inside the park. Backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit, available at the visitor center. For developed sites, you’ll need to stay in nearby towns or RV parks outside the park boundary. Carlsbad (city) is about 35 minutes from the visitor center. If you’re combining your visit with Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Pine Springs Campground (about a 50‑minute drive from the visitor center) is another good option — see below for how Carlsbad Caverns fits into a Southwest road trip.
How do I get to the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center? The visitor center is located at 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, NM. From Highway 62/180, turn north at White’s City. A scenic 7‑mile road leads up to the visitor center.
How do you get to Carlsbad Caverns from El Paso? Driving is the easiest option. From El Paso, head east on US‑180 for about 2.5–3 hours (roughly 150 miles). This route takes you directly past Guadalupe Mountains National Park, making it easy to combine both parks into a road trip.
Takeaways: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Of all the parks I have been to, this is the one I would take my young children to—it’s cool, relatively flat, and their imaginations would run wild seeing the massive stalactites and stalagmites.
- Early booking is essential to ensure entrance on your preferred date.
- Check the NPS website for updates on tours and the status
How Carlsbad Caverns National Park Fits into a Southwest Road Trip
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a natural centerpiece for any road trip through the American Southwest, with several iconic destinations within reach:
- El Paso, Texas lies approximately 145 miles west—an easy half-day drive.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to McKittrick Canyon, is less than an hour west and pairs perfectly with a visit to Carlsbad Caverns.
- White Sands National Park, famous for its surreal gypsum dunes, is just over 3 hours northwest by car.
- Chiricahua National Monument, a land of balanced rocks and towering spires — lies six hours west.
- Saguaro National Park, known for its towering cacti and wide desert vistas — lies further afield, about 6.5 to 7 hours west. If you’re continuing toward Tucson, it makes an excellent stop, and the climb to Wasson Peak is one of the most rewarding short desert hikes in the region.
For those planning a more extensive journey, heading west to Tucson or north to Albuquerque adds considerable mileage but opens up even more desert landscapes, cultural stops, and scenic drives.