Know Before You Go, Carlsbad Caverns National Park

December 21, 2024
Matthew

guadalupe mountains tour map

Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure to Carlsbad Caverns National Park! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

  • The tour has three starting points:
    • Route 62 Eastbound coming from Guadalupe Mountains NP
    • Route 62 Westbound, Carlsbad, NM
    • US 285 south of Carlsbad, NM
  • Entrance to the cave requires a timed entry reservation.
  • Making reservations ahead of time is strongly recommended.
  • The most popular months to visit are March for spring break, and then early summer vacations in June and July.
  • The park is accessible year-round.
  • $15 entrance fee per person 16 and older. Children 15 and younger are free.

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs.

  • $15 entrance fee per person 16 and older. Children 15 and younger are free. Tickets are good for three days.

Hours of Operation 

The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.

  • Cavern entrance times are 8:30 am-2:30 pm, with the last tickets sold at 2:15 pm
  • Visitor Center hours are 8 am-5 pm.

Get Packing!

​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

  • Canteen/refillable water bottle
    • gallon of water per person, per day
  • Cooler
  • Hiking shoes and clothes
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • First Aid Kit
  • Bug spray
  • Salty snacks/fruits/nuts
  • Phone charger/mount

Best Time to Visit 

  • The most popular months to visit are March for spring break, and then early summer vacations in June and July.
  • The park is accessible year-round. If you plan on hiking above ground, then keep in mind that summers can be extremely hot.

Safety Information 

  • The park is in the dry and potentially very hot Chihuahuan Desert. While the cavern remains cool and comfortable year-round, the hiking trails above ground should not be attempted in the heat of the day during the summer.
  • You can take an elevator down into the cave, or walk the natural entrance trail.
  • There are food options both in the visitor center and inside the cave.

Leave No Trace

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders. 

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.

download shaka guide for free

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Carlsbad Caverns National Park Itinerary.

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inside a cave

Carlsbad Caverns National Park


Carlsbad Caverns National Park

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