National Park Guide

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

New Mexico, US

Descend into a subterranean wonderland of massive cave chambers and breathtaking formations.

46,766

Acres

Trails

1930

Established

440,000

Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season

Year-round

Entrance Fee

$15 per person

Nearest Airport

Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM), 30 minutes

Best Months

May, September, October

Highlights

The Big Room self-guided cave tour
Bat Flight Program at sunset
Natural Entrance trail into the cavern
King's Palace ranger-led tour
Rattlesnake Springs desert oasis birding

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Natural Entrance Trail

Moderate

1.25 miles one way

750 ft gain

Rattlesnake Canyon Trail

Strenuous

5.6 miles round trip

700 ft gain

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail

Easy

0.5 miles loop

50 ft gain

Yucca Canyon Trail

Moderate

2.0 miles round trip

300 ft gain

Guadalupe Ridge Trail

Strenuous

12.0 miles round trip

1,500 ft gain

About Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park contains over 119 known caves formed from a fossil reef laid down during the Permian era. The Big Room, at over 8 acres, is one of the largest underground chambers in North America, filled with spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and other speleothems. Each summer evening, hundreds of thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats spiral out of the cave entrance in a dramatic natural spectacle that draws visitors from around the world.

In-Depth Guide

Carlsbad Caverns Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Top cave tours, surface hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for New Mexico's underground wonder.

12 min read

Weather Overview

Average monthly temperatures

Explore More

Hotels

3 options near Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

Expert-tested picks

Where to Stay

View all hotels

White's City Cavern Inn

The closest hotel to the caverns located in Whites City, featuring continental breakfast, seasonal outdoor pool, picnic area with barbecue grills, and in-room WiFi.

5 min drive$120-200/night

Check on Hotels.com

Quality Inn & Suites Carlsbad Caverns Area

Well-maintained hotel in Carlsbad with free breakfast buffet, 24-hour fitness center, seasonal outdoor pool, garden, and rooms with refrigerators and microwaves.

25 min drive$100-170/night

Check on Hotels.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Carlsbad

Modern hotel in Carlsbad with free breakfast, heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and 85 guest rooms with refrigerators and microwaves.

30 min drive$130-210/night

Check on Hotels.com

Compare Carlsbad Caverns National Park

See how Carlsbad Caverns National Park stacks up against other national parks

Carlsbad Caverns National Park vs Mammoth Cave National Park

Choose Mammoth Cave for the sheer scale of the world's longest cave system. Choose Carlsbad Caverns for spectacular cave formations, the Big Room, and the unforgettable bat flight experience.

See full comparison