Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Visitors are able to make Self-Guided Tour reservations at a cost of $1.00 per person. 

****In addition to the reservation, the park charges an entrance fee payable upon arrival. The park honors Interagency Passes (Senior, Access, 4th Grade, etc.). Please visit Carlsbad Caverns Fees & Passes page for details.**** 

****Masks are optional at this time.**** Masks are based on Community Health Level based on the CDC guidance for Eddy County, New Mexico. 

Tucked beneath the scenic and rugged Chihuahuan Desert, in the rocky slopes and deep canyons of Guadalupe Mountain range you will find Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Come explore the largest chambered cavern in North America.    

The Guadalupe Mountains are an uplifted portion of ancient reef, which thrived along the edge of an inland sea more than 250 million years ago. Preserved in the rocks are the ancient bodies of sponges, algae, snails, nautilus and more. This fossil reef formed the caves beneath the surface. Over time, sulfuric acid dissolved into surrounding limestone, creating stunning rock formations jutting down from the cave ceilings. More than 300,000 visitors travel to Carlsbad Caverns each year for a rare glimpse of the underground worlds preserved beneath the desert.  

Visitors may choose to hike the steep one and a quarter mile paved trail entering through the cave's Natural Entrance, which leads them into the spectacular one and a quarter mile Big Room trail. Or, you can simply take an elevator ride from the Visitor Center directly to the Big Room trail. 

 

Visitors are encouraged to review the tour details , which may include age or other restrictions, before making a reservation. 

Summary of Fees - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours  

Visitors are able to make Self-Guided Tour reservations at a cost of $1.00 per person. 

****In addition to the reservation, the park charges an entrance fee payable upon arrival. The park honors Interagency Passes (Senior, Access, 4th Grade, etc.). Please visit Carlsbad Caverns Fees & Passes page for details.**** 

****Masks are optional at this time.**** Masks are based on Community Health Level based on the CDC guidance for Eddy County, New Mexico. 

Tucked beneath the scenic and rugged Chihuahuan Desert, in the rocky slopes and deep canyons of Guadalupe Mountain range you will find Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Come explore the largest chambered cavern in North America.    

The Guadalupe Mountains are an uplifted portion of ancient reef, which thrived along the edge of an inland sea more than 250 million years ago. Preserved in the rocks are the ancient bodies of sponges, algae, snails, nautilus and more. This fossil reef formed the caves beneath the surface. Over time, sulfuric acid dissolved into surrounding limestone, creating stunning rock formations jutting down from the cave ceilings. More than 300,000 visitors travel to Carlsbad Caverns each year for a rare glimpse of the underground worlds preserved beneath the desert.  

Visitors may choose to hike the steep one and a quarter mile paved trail entering through the cave's Natural Entrance, which leads them into the spectacular one and a quarter mile Big Room trail. Or, you can simply take an elevator ride from the Visitor Center directly to the Big Room trail. 

 

Visitors are encouraged to review the tour details , which may include age or other restrictions, before making a reservation. 

Summary of Fees - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours  

Notifications and Alerts

Need to Know

Booking Windows

Tickets are available 30 days in advance and 5 AM the day of the tour date.

Changes and Cancellations

*****RESERVATION FEE IS NOT THE ENTRANCE FEE.*****

The $1.00 reservation fee is an administrative charge of this system. It is NOT the park entrance fee.

This reservation system only reserves the time slot for self-paced, self-guided cavern entry.

Entrance fees into the cave must be paid inside the visitor center upon arrival.  

$15 per adult general cave entry fee or a National Parks Pass for upto 4 adults.

Children 15 and under are free. 

King's Palace Ranger guided tour: Adult: $8:00, Children (4-15 years old) $4:00, and Inter-agency Senior Lifetime and Senior Annual and Access Pass for passholder only price: $4:00

PASS HOLDERS MUST STILL RESERVE AN ENTRY TIME

Pass holders (Golden Age/Senior, Annual, Access, Military, 4th Grade etc) MUST reserve an entry time on this system. You will not be admitted without a reservation confirmation.

NOTE: Pass holders MUST reserve an entry time for ALL members of their group eligible to use the pass.

No refunds for the Self-Guided Timed Entry Tour. See Facility Rates for fees.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

727 CARLSBAD CAVERNS HWY Carlsbad NM 88220

Phone Number

575-236-1309 (GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY - RESERVATION INFO IS NOT PROVIDED)

Available Tours and Tickets

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