Plan the Perfect Trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Complete Guide + One Day Itinerary
Explore the caves of Carlsbad Caverns with this quick and easy guide. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including, what to bring, when to go, and top things to do.
After spending an amazing season working at Lajitas Golf Resort down near Big Bend National Park on the border of Mexico, we were finally heading out for our big summer road trip. To kick off our trip we headed to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, our first of sixteen national parks we had planned on our 5 month road trip itinerary.
Carlsbad Caverns sits in the Chihuahuan Desert and features over 700 species of plant, over 350 species of birds, and 17 species of bats. The park has currently found 120 caves in the caverns, with more to be discovered with continued exploration, making this park one to add to your bucket list.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Carlsbad Caverns
Getting to Carlsbad Caverns
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Top Things to Do
ABOUT CARLSBAD CAVERNS
Carlsbad Caverns is a 46,000 acre national park located in southeastern New Mexico. It was established in 1930 and is known for having the largest and most readily accessible cave in North America, “The Big Room”, measuring 8 acres in size. The park features 50 miles of backcountry hiking trails, scenic drives, Bat Flight program, guided tours, and incredible night sky viewing.
RESERVATIONS
Timed entry reservations are required year round to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Reservations can be made online.
ENTRANCE FEE
$15 per person which is valid for 3 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times no longer than 6 feet in length. They aren’t allowed in the cave, on unpaved trails, or near the Bat Flight Program. If you are bringing your pet with you, the park will require you to kennel your pet for $15 per day. A record of rabies vaccination is required.
GETTING TO CARLSBAD CAVERNS
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in southeastern New Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert. The park is situated off US Hwy 62/180 just 30 minutes north of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Carlsbad, NM - 21 miles or 26 minutes
Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 36 miles or 30 minutes
El Paso, TX - 150 miles or 2 hours
White Sands National Park - 182 miles or 3.5 hours
Las Cruces, NM - 188 miles or 3 hours
Big Bend National Park - 242 miles or 4 hours
Albuquerque, NM - 300 miles or 5 hours
NEAREST AIRPORT
El Paso International
WHEN TO VISIT
Cave access is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the last guest entry being at 2:15 p.m. The caves of Carlsbad Caverns are 56 degrees year round making for a pleasant trip anytime of the year.
SPRING & SUMMER
Spring in Carlsbad is mild with average highs in the mid 70s with frequent windstorms. Summers bring extreme heat with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. Rainy season in Carlsbad is August to September bringing late afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Several ranger programs such as the evening Bat Flight and night sky viewing are available from summer through fall.
FALL & WINTER
September to November is an ideal time to visit. Sunny days bring warm temps with an average high in the 70s and 80s. Winter temps average high 60s and the low 20s with occasional snow.
WHAT TO BRING
Close Toed Shoes
The floors of the cavern are wet, steep, and slippery. Closed toed shoes with good traction are highly recommended to provide ample support and comfort while exploring.
Light Jacket
The temperatures in the cave are 56 degrees year round which may be chilly for some. A light jacket is nice to have in case you get cold.
Water
Only plain, unflavored water is allowed in the cave. Most visitors spend a couple hours exploring the caves so having plenty of water to stay hydrated is a great idea. Restrooms are available at the underground snack bar in the Big Room.
Camera
Flash photography is allowed in the caves of Carlsbad. We used a Canon Rebel T7 and loved out how our pictures came out. If you don’t have a DSLR camera, the latest smart phone will do just fine in capturing low lighting.
Headlamp or Flashlight
Not necessary but for those with sensitivity to darkness may find having a flashlight or headlamp helpful.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and the park film.
CARLSBAD CAVERNS RESTAURANT
Located inside the visitor center and offers cafe style meals.
UNDERGROUND LUNCH ROOM
Located underground at the base of the Big Room. Offering a snack bar, drinks, restrooms, and seating.
TOWNS NEARBY
WHITES CITY
A small community at the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
LODGING
Whites City Cavern Inn
RV PARKS
Whites City RV Park
Sunset Reef Campground
Chosa Campground
FOOD
Cactus Cafe
CARLSBAD
The closest city to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Known for the Pecos River that runs along the city. Brantley Lake State Park offers several water activities and outdoor adventures.
LODGING
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Karbani Inn
Hyatt House Carlsbad
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Quality Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites
TownPlace Suites
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Days Inn by Wyndham
Comfort Suites
Candlewood Suites
RV PARKS
Hidalgo RV Park
Coyote Flats RV Park
Greasewood RV Park
Southwest RV Park
Dark Canyon RV Park
Brantley Lake State Park
Carlsbad RV Park & Campground
Taylor RV Park
Gavin’s Hideout
Gateway RV Park
FOOD
Albertsons
Stop & Shop
La Tienda Thriftway
Walmart
TOP THINGS TO DO
VISITOR CENTER EXHIBIT & PARK FILM
Start your exploration of Carlsbad Caverns at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map & check out the park exhibit. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
NATURAL ENTRANCE TRAIL
Take the steep climb down through the mouth of Carlsbad Caverns. The natural entrance trail is a 1.25 mile hike down 750 feet into the cave which brings you right into the Big Room. The path features several switchbacks with plenty of birds flying around as you make your way deep into the cave.
THE BIG ROOM
The Big Room is what bring most visitors to Carlsbad Caverns. It’s the largest and most accessible cave in North America and has some of the most unbelievable features you might ever see from stalagmites, stalactites, spires, and pools. The path around the Big Room is 1.25 miles and can be accessed via the natural entrance or the elevator. For those looking for a shorter trail around the Big Room, a 0.6 mile path is available.
GET ON A TRAIL
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Carlsbad Caverns has something for everyone.
Always bring plenty of water and sun protectant, especially if you plan on hiking in the summer months.
For easy hikes consider | Walnut Canyon Overlook, Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, Juniper Ridge
For moderate hikes consider | Old Guano Trail, Lower Rattlesnake Canyon, Upper Rattlesnake Canyon
For strenuous hikes consider | Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail, Slaughter Canyon
BAT FLIGHT PROGRAM
Witness hundreds of thousands of bats take their evening flight out of Carlsbad Caverns during the Bat Flight Program. This program is offered May through October and is located at the Bat Flight Amphitheater right outside the natural entrance. The program is free to join and requires no reservations. Seating is on a first come first served basis. It’s important to note that no pictures or electronic devices are allowed when the bats take their flight. Dawn of the Bats is another program, offered once a year, to witness the bats make their return flight into the cave.
For more information about the Bat Program are Carlsbad Caverns, visit the park website.
EXPERIENCE THE DARK SKIES
For a memorial experience join an evening ranger program or stay overnight in the backcountry and experience what a truly dark sky looks like. Star viewing and night hikes are offered July through October and are free to join.
RANGER GUIDED CAVE TOUR
For a more extensive experience of Carlsbad, take a ranger guided tour through Kings Palace, Slaughter Canyon, or Hall of the White Giant. Cave tours are offered year round and can be reserved online.
For more information about cave tours in Carlsbad Caverns, visit the park website.
PARKS AS CLASSROOMS
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Carlsbad Caverns then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
BACKPACK THE WILDERNESS
For a more in depth exploration of Carlsbad Caverns National Park pick up a free backcountry permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky. Permits can be picked up from the visitor center. No pets are allowed in the backcountry.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop 1. Once you enter the park, stop at a couple pull offs and see if you can spot any wildlife.
Stop 2. Explore the visitor center, check out the exhibits, & watch the park movie.
Stop 3. Grab lunch at the Cafe or bring your own. Best to fill up before heading into the cave.
Stop 4. Take the Natural Entrance path down into the cave. If you’re unable to take the natural entrance then take the elevator straight to the Big Room.
Stop 5. Take a self guided tour around the Big Room.
Stop 6. Head back up to the visitor center and take a short scenic hike, such as, Walnut Canyon Overlook or Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail.
Stop 7. Experience the Bat Flight Program.
Stop 8. If time allows, stay for night sky star viewing.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Carlsbad Caverns.
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WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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