Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Hours
See this week's hours below.
- Entrance fee
- $1 · timed entry reservation - location
- Phone
- 5752361309
- Address
- 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220
About Carlsbad Caverns
High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.
Hours
Hours
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open 24-hours a day. Visitor center hours and cave tour schedule vary throughout the year.
| Monday | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
Changes to these hours
- Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26: Closed
- Christmas Day, Dec 25: Closed
- New Year's Day, Jan 1: Closed
Entrance fees
| Timed Entry Reservation - Location | $1 | 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Per Person | $15 | Entrance fee provides access to Carlsbad Cavern by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov. |
An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.
Getting there
To access the park's only entrance road, New Mexico Highway 7, turn north from US Hwy 62/180 at White's City, NM, which is 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Carlsbad, NM and 145 miles (233 km) northeast of El Paso, TX. The entrance road stretches a scenic seven miles (11.3 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 Hwy, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, located 27 miles (43 km) from the town of Carlsbad.
Weather
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures between 90°F (32°C) and low 100s °F (38°C). Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early spring (March-May) with frequent rain in early fall (August-September). This part of the country also sees 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!
Things to do
Astronomy, Birdwatching, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Caving, Dining, Food, Gift Shop and Souvenirs, Guided Tours, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Park Film, Picnicking, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Shopping, Stargazing, Wildlife Watching.
Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Carlsbad Caverns ↗