A Day Trip to Discover the Depths of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the rugged territory of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico and consists of 119 limestone caves. This geological wonder captivates visitors with its stunning landscapes and magical caverns. You will get to explore deep into the earth where you will be greeted with limestone caverns with formations sculpted millions of years ago. The soft lighting throughout the caverns, provides a unique view of the towering stalactites, delicate stalagmites, casting a shadow that provides a glow of beauty on each of the cavern walls.
As visitors wander through the cavern passages, you will hear the occasional drip of water that echos throughout the caverns. Carlsbad Caverns National Park shows the remarkable force of nature and provides an awe-inspiring beauty that is hidden far beneath earth’s surface.
In 2021 we took our first month-long camper van trip across the US. As we traveled, I wanted to stop at Carlsbad Caverns National Park but due to Covid they were having limited availability of visiting the park. They were taking reservations only, but it was about two weeks out and since we were traveling at our leisure, I didn’t know the exact date we would be in that area, so I was not able to get tickets at that time. However, when we did our next month-long trip in 2022 (click the link to read more) it was much different at that time, and we were able to get last minute ticket reservations by showing up early the day of and waiting in line to get those reservations. I was excited!
Carlsbad Cavern entrance
Below you will see the entrance to the cavern which requires you to walk down very steep switchbacks for about 1.25 miles and takes about 1.5 hours. Watch for cave swallows or Brazilian free-tailed bats as they spiral above the entrance and dive down into the cave. Take the elevator from the Visitor Center if you are unable to descend this entrance.
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Carslbad Caverns information
Hours: Visitor Center 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Last cavern entrance ticket sold at 2:15pm
Last cavern entrance is 2:30pm
Elevator entrance IN to the cavern hours: 8:30am to 2:30pm
Last elevator entrance OUT of the cavern hours: 4:45pm
Address: 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, New Mexico
RV parking: available in the west parking lot, the first lot on the left as you enter the parking area
Cost: Entrance fee into the cave is $15.00 per person for ages 16 and older. 15 and younger is FREE. FREE entrance with an America the Beautiful Pass.
There is no cost to enter the park or Visitor Center, only to enter the caverns.
Time entry reservations: Are required for each person entering the cave.
Cost is $1.00 per person. Timed reservations can be made online. You can choose to show up the day you want a tour without a timed ticket but there is no guarantee you will be allowed to enter the cave if the tour is full. Timed reservations can be made up to 5am MT the day of your tour.
Enjoy this highly popular half-day walking food tour. Prices start at $209 per person
Need to know
Average cave temp is 56 degrees year-round. Dress accordingly.
No strollers can go into the cavern
Water only is allowed, no food
Wear sturdy shoes such as hiking boots or tennis shoes. I wear my Teva sandals and didn’t have any problems walking in this cave
Elevator is available to enter into the Big Room Trail or you can walk this path
No pets allowed in the cavern, on the trails or in the Visitor Center
No overnight parking
Pet boarding: Pet boarding is available on a first come, first served basis at Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company for $15 a day. No overnights and you must prove rabies vaccine is current.
Restaurant: Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company has a small restaurant inside the Visitor Center in the back which is open until 4:00pm
Visitor Center: exhibits, park film, gift shop and bookstore.
Hiking is available within the park.
Camping not available
Camping: There are no campgrounds in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Backcountry camping is available with a permit.
Check out my blog post on FREE camping throughout the US for where we camped while in the area.
Carlsbad Caverns cave self-guided tour
The self-guided tour to The Big Room is the most popular and is home to the largest cave chamber in the US. This is a 1.25-mile trail that takes about 1.5 hours.
I have not been to a ton of caves within a national park, but I will say that the cave self-guided tour was really amazing. There is a long path that winds downhill throughout the cavern as you navigate toward the main cavern area. As I continued to walk this path, my hip did start to hurt a toward the end, but nothing that kept me from moving forward. There is an elevator if you have a medical condition that would warrant this way to access the caverns.
Once you enter the bottom of the cave, the pathway is easy to navigate and mostly level. I was totally amazed at the formations throughout the cavern. My pictures do not do this cave justice, the views are absolutely breathtaking. I was in awe at the beauty within the caverns.
Ranger-led tours
Currently two ranger-led tours are available. (2024)
King’s Palace Tour: 1.5-hour tour will take you into the deepest part of the cave that the public is allowed to visit
Cost: $8 per adult, $4 for children, seniors, and Access Pass holders. Children under 6 are not permitted.
Lower Cave Tour: This 3-hour tour takes you to view some amazing cave formations. You will have to descend down several ladders and hang onto a rope as you walk backwards down a slope at the tour entrance.
Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for children, seniors, and Access Pass holders. Only children 12 and older are able to participate.
Stalactites and Stalagmites
You will see areas where water from Devil’s Spring falls from the cracks and helps to form all of the many stalactites and stalagmites that can be seen throughout the self-guided tour, leaving you in awe at their beauty!
Enjoy a sunrise tour in a Hot Air Balloon over the Rio Grande Valley. Prices start at $209 per person.
Cave limestone formations to view include:
Green Lake Room
New York, New York!
Lion’s Tail
Fairyland - popcorn-covered stalagmites
Temple of the Sun
Dangling in the Dark - ladder made by Jim White, an early explorer
Mirror Lake
Stone Lily Pads
Rock of Ages
Dolls Theater
Chinese Theater
I insist you take the time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park when you are traveling through New Mexico. Although my pictures show some amazing limestone formations, the pictures do not capture the full beauty of this cave. You must visit to truly enjoy its beauty.
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Enjoy the Journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer 🧡
I am a girl who loves to travel and enjoys sharing expert family travel advice. I am a content creator and influencer on Instagram with years of travel experience and provide readers with advice, tips, and details on adventurous family travel and tips on saving money while boondocking or traveling across the US.
