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. You may view the Summary of Fees.
****In addition to the reservation fee, the park charges an entrance fee payable upon arrival. The park also honors Interagency Passes (Senior, Access, 4th Grade, etc.). Please visit Carlsbad Caverns Fees & Passes page for details.****
Before booking, please review the tour details for each tour, which may include age or other restrictions.
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 able to make Self-Guided Tour reservations at a cost of $1.00 per person. You may view the Summary of Fees.
****In addition to the reservation fee, the park charges an entrance fee payable upon arrival. The park also honors Interagency Passes (Senior, Access, 4th Grade, etc.). Please visit Carlsbad Caverns Fees & Passes page for details.****
Before booking, please review the tour details for each tour, which may include age or other restrictions.
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.
Notifications and Alerts
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is implementing a fee rate change for all ranger-guided tours, the first time these have been changed since 2012. The new fees are as follows:
• King's Palace Tour – $10 adults / $5 children
• Lower Cave Tour – $30 adults / $15 children
• Slaughter Cave Tour – $30 adults / $15 children
The park initiated public comments on the proposed fee increases in November and December 2024. For more details, visit the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cavetours.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allows the park to collect entrance and amenity fees, such as ranger-guided tours. This law also permits parks like Carlsbad Caverns to retain 80% of the fees collected for use on projects that directly enhance the experience of park visitors. The remaining percent of all collected fees is distributed for use by smaller parks throughout the National Park System. By increasing fees, Carlsbad Caverns National Park will continue to be able to provide and improve services that directly benefit visitors.
For more information regarding planning your visit and obtaining your reservation for Carlsbad Caverns, visit the park’s website
Need to Know
- ****IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RESERVATIONS - PLEASE READ****
THE RESERVATION FEE DOES NOT COVER THE PARK ENTRANCE FEE.
- The $1.00 reservation fee is an administrative charge to book a reservation. It is separate from the park entrance fee.
- This reservation holds a time for you to to begin the self-paced, self-guided cavern tour.
- In addition to the reservation fee, an entrance pass must be purchased inside the visitor center upon arrival. Please visit Carlsbad Caverns Fees & Passes page for details.
PASS HOLDERS MUST ALSO BOOK A TICKET
- The park honors Interagency Passes (Golden Age, Senior, Annual, Interagency, Military, etc) for the entrance fee.
- Pass holders MUST also reserve a ticket. You will not be admitted without a reservation confirmation.
- Pass holders MUST reserve tickets for ALL members of the group eligible to use the pass.
CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENT FOR ENTRY
- Please bring the reservation confirmation email to present at the ticket counter upon arrival.
- Cell phone coverage may not be available. Before you arrive, please have your confirmation email saved to your phone or printed out.
NO WALK UP TICKETS
- The park does not offer stand-by or wait list tickets.
- Masks are based on Community Health Level
Mask are optional at this time. This is based on Community Health Level as determined by the CDC for Eddy County, New Mexico. This Community Health Level may change at anytime.
- Additional Reservation Information
Reserved Tickets. Please pick up tickets atleast 30-45 minutes prior to your scheduled time for Ranger guided tours. Late arrival may result in forfeiting your reserved tour. No refunds for late arrivals. No replacement tickets available for lost or misplaced tickets.
Reservations. Reservations are available 30 days in advance and up to 5:00 AM MT same day.
Cave Tours. Most of the cave trail is self-guided; Natural Entrance and the Big Room. Visit the Carlsbad Cavern's park website to learn more.
- Entry Times
The entry times begin with the start time that you select. For example, if you select an 8:30am reservation time, you must enter the cave between 8:30am and 2:15 pm. Last entry for the day is 2:30pm.
Last available Main Corridor (Natural Entrance Trail) hike out is at 2:30 pm.
- Must reserve for adults AND children
Children 15 and under free to enter the cavern but must have a reservation as well. When booking your reservation, please ensure that you account for all adults AND children.
- Refunds
There are no refunds for Self-Guided Tour reservations (The cancellation fee of $1.00 per ticket is the same price as the reservation).
- Accessibility
A large portion of The Big Room is accessible by wheelchair and entry is allowed only by elevators. Canes and crutches allowed only if needed for mobility. The park does not have any mobility chairs or devices available to use or rent.
Please visit our NPS webpage for more information.
- Health Warnings
Cave tours are not recommend for people with known heart or respiratory problems, back, knee, or walking issues of any kind, or for people with vertigo or claustrophobia issues. Determine your own physical ability!
- Avoid Long Lines
You may experience long wait times to exit the cave by elevator. During Holiday weekends you may experience longer than normal wait times. See park website for additional alerts.
- What to Wear
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Sandals or flip-flops are NOT recommended for self-guided tours. (See specific requirements for each tour).
- Protecting Bats
Do not wear or bring any items that have been in any other caves or mines. White-nose Syndrome is a disease affecting hibernating bats. Help stop the spread of this fungus.
A disease known as White-Nose Syndrome is killing bats in North America. To prevent it from spreading to our bats, do not wear shoes, clothing, or bring any gear into any cave at Carlsbad Caverns National Park that were in another cave.
- Baby Strollers Not Allowed
Baby strollers are NOT allowed on the cave trails.
- Age
There is no age limit for the Self-Guided Tour.
- Food and Drink
Plain water only! Candy, tobacco (inc. vaping products) or gum are NOT permitted to be taken into cave. The historic Underground Lunchroom offers drinks, sandwiches and salads.
- Temperature
The average cave temperature is 56 degrees with 90% humidity year-round.
- Hiking Poles Not Allowed
Hiking poles are NOT permitted in the cave.
- Cameras
Photography, including using a flash, is allowed in the cavern. Be courteous to other visitors.
- Photography is not allowed during the Bat Flight Program.
- Additional Information
Phone Numbers
Reservations: To reserve tour tickets, select the "book now" button on this page or call toll free 1-877-444-6777.
GENERAL PARK INFORMATION ONLY (NO RESERVATIONS)
- Park information, Monday through Sunday: (575) 785-2232.
Visitor Center Operational Hours.
- Visitor Center is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Mountain Time.
- NOTE: The park is close to the Central Time zone. Cell phones have been known to bounce between Mountain and Central Times zones if they are set to automatically adjust for times.
- Tripods, Bipods and Monopods
Tripods, Bipods and Monopods are not permitted in the cavern
- Hours
Beginning March 23, 2025, Due to staffing issues, Visitor Center hours will be 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Booking Windows
Tickets are available 30 days in advance at 10 AM ET until 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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