Carlsbad Caverns National Park

🦇

~400,000

Bats, summer roost

💵

$15 + $1

Cave entry + timed entry

🎟️

Limited

Ranger-led tours

🌡️

56°F

Year-round cave temp

🏕

Backcountry only

No developed campground

🏔️

Guadalupe Mtns

World Heritage Site

⚠️Cave & Desert SafetySlippery trails▾

🦶 Sections of the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails stay wet from natural mineral drips and are steep in places — closed-toe shoes with real traction are required; sandals and flip-flops aren't allowed. The cave holds a steady 56°F year-round, noticeably cooler than the desert surface, so bring a light layer. On the surface, watch the road for deer, javelina, and other wildlife, and never approach or feed any animal. NPS safety info ↗

🎟️Cave Entry & ToursTours limited▾

ℹ️ Self-guided access to the Big Room and Natural Entrance requires a $15 cave entry pass plus a $1 timed-entry reservation, bookable via Recreation.gov. Ranger-led tours beyond the main route (King's Palace, Lower Cave, and others) currently run on a day-to-day basis depending on staffing, with walk-up tickets only — online sales for these tours are currently paused. Check conditions before planning a trip around a specific guided tour. Current tour schedule ↗

Fees

Cave entry (16+)$15

Timed entry reservation$1

Under 16Free

America the Beautiful passes honored for entry fee

🦇Bat Flight ProgramSeasonal, free▾

🌙 Each spring, roughly 400,000 Mexican (Brazilian) free-tailed bats arrive from central Mexico to roost deep in the cavern. A free ranger talk runs nightly at the Bat Flight Amphitheater near the Natural Entrance from Memorial Day weekend through October, just before the bats stream out at dusk to feed. No reservations needed — but no cameras, phones, or other electronics are allowed at the amphitheater to protect the bats. Bat Flight Program details ↗

🏕CampingBackcountry permit▾

🎒 There's no developed campground inside Carlsbad Caverns — overnight stays are backcountry-only, in the Chihuahuan Desert terrain above the cave, with a free permit obtained at the visitor center. Nearby Carlsbad and Whites City have private RV parks and campgrounds for a more traditional setup. Backcountry permit info ↗

Park Contact Information

📞 Phone: (575) 785-3012 · Mailing Address: 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220 · Official NPS contact page ↗