Carlsbad Caverns National Park
46,766
Acres
410,000/year
Annual Visitors
$15
Entry Fee
Late spring through fall
Best Time to Visit
National Park Service
National Park
Carlsbad Caverns became a national park on May 14, 1930. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southeastern New Mexico, the park contains more than 119 caves, including the enormous Big Room at 8.2 acres. Each evening from late spring through October, roughly 400,000 Brazilian free-tailed bats spiral out of the natural entrance.
What Carlsbad Caverns Is Known For
The Big Room cave chamber
Evening bat flight
Natural cave entrance hike
UNESCO World Heritage status
Top Activities
Self-guided cave tours
Ranger-led cave tours
Evening bat flight program
Above-ground hiking
Wildlife watching
Our Complete Carlsbad Caverns Guide
Everything you need to plan your trip. Trails, timing, tips, and the spots most visitors miss.
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