{"id":"nps-cave","slug":"carlsbad-caverns-national-park","name":"Carlsbad Caverns National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"CAVE","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-cave"}],"states":["NM"],"stateNames":["New Mexico"],"location":{"lat":32.14089463,"lon":-104.5529688},"bbox":[-104.6848,32.0408,-104.3708,32.1991],"acres":{"value":46880,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=32.1991&b_tl_lng=-104.6848&b_br_lat=32.0408&b_br_lng=-104.3708","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Carlsbad%20Caverns%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/29C3C977-AAE6-B7FD-3C107828D704A5CB.jpg","title":"Hall of Giants","alt":"Photo of Giant Dome and Twin Domes in the Big Room.","caption":"Giant and Twin domes in the Big Room.","credit":"NPS / Michael Larson","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/29A84FDD-D660-B07C-A6B12986D3123FC7.jpeg","title":"Big Room","alt":"Photo of the Big Room with trail","caption":"Big Room","credit":"NPS / Eymard Bangcoro","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2A625FD0-AED3-63A2-C91828ED61F916C3.jpg","title":"Mule Deer","alt":"Photo of four mule deer in a drainage with vegetation around them.","caption":"Mule deer find food in a drainage.","credit":"NPS / Michael Larson","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2B40AD3D-DDDB-2F2E-1CB524F96FF08C4B.jpg","title":"Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern","alt":"Photo of the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern with visitors hiking down the trail.","caption":"Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern","credit":"NPS / Eymard Bangcoro","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2C9EB52A-BD34-F69C-0149C92FF24E215D.jpg","title":"Chandelier and Caveman Formations","alt":"Photo of the Chandelier and Caveman formations in the Big Room","caption":"Chandelier and Caveman formations.","credit":"NPS / Eymard Bangcoro","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2D096B53-E322-75F6-A065872E1CAB9EE6.jpg","title":"Yucca Blooming","alt":"Photo of a yucca plant with cream and pinkish-colored flowers.","caption":"Yucca blooming","credit":"NPS / Eymard Bangcoro","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Astronomy","Stargazing","Camping","Caving","Food","Dining","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Hiking","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Native American Heritage","Ancient Seas","Animals","Birds","Fish","Tortoises and Turtles","Caves, Caverns and Karst","Geology","Night Sky","Astronomy","Trails","Unique Species","Wilderness"],"fees":[{"title":"Timed Entry Reservation - Location","cost":"1.00","description":"A timed entry reservation must be purchased to access Carlsbad Cavern. In addition, an entry pass must be purchased at the visitor center.\n\nTime entry reservations ensure a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"Entrance fee provides access to Carlsbad Cavern by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov."}],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Hours","description":"Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open 24-hours a day. Visitor center hours and cave tour schedule vary throughout the year.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"9:00AM - 2:30PM","monday":"9:00AM - 2:30PM","thursday":"9:00AM - 2:30PM","sunday":"9:00AM - 2:30PM","tuesday":"9:00AM - 2:30PM","friday":"9:00AM - 2:30PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 2:30PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]}],"directions":"To access the park's only entrance road, New Mexico Highway 7, turn north from US Hwy 62/180 at White's City, NM, which is 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Carlsbad, NM and 145 miles (233 km) northeast of El Paso, TX. The entrance road stretches a scenic seven miles (11.3 km) from the park gate at White's City to the visitor center and cavern entrance. The address for the park's visitor center is 727 Carlsbad Caverns Hwy, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, located 27 miles (43 km) from the town of Carlsbad.","weatherInfo":"Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures between 90°F (32°C) and low 100s °F (38°C). Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early spring (March-May) with frequent rain in early fall (August-September). This part of the country also sees cold temperatures in the winter with occasional snow and icy conditions. Most days, the park is enveloped by a gorgeous blue sky with very few clouds, 278 sunny days a year!","contacts":{"phone":"5752361309","email":"cave_park_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Visitor Center","description":">> RESERVATIONS REQUIRED to enter cavern and must be purchased at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. The reservation is only for selecting the entry time. Entrance tickets will need to be purchased at the visitor center. << The visitor center offers many services, including a bookstore, gift shop, cafeteria, restrooms, a park movie, information desk, ticket counter, and hands-on educational exhibits.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm","lat":32.1754814177,"lon":-104.444223173}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"guadalupe-mountains-national-park","km":40},{"slug":"lincoln-national-forest","km":127},{"slug":"bitter-lake-national-wildlife-refuge","km":154},{"slug":"fort-stanton-snowy-river-national-conservation-area","km":175},{"slug":"white-sands-national-park","km":181},{"slug":"fort-davis-national-historic-site","km":182}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=cave"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.609Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Closures Due to Flood Damage","text":"Some areas of the park including Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, Yucca Canyon Trail, and Slaughter Canyon Trail will remain closed after extensive flood damage. No backcountry permits will be issued until further notice. The main park road to the visitor center and cavern is open.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/conditions.htm#flood","updated":"2026-10-28 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-AB6D9AA5-0899-4E4F-A6B5-A28365367388"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Fire Restrictions","text":"Fire restrictions have been lifted at Carlsbad Caverns which means that fires such as charcoal fires in grills and the use of camp stoves or portable grills will be allowed. Igniting and maintaining an open fire must be done with materials that are commonly used for warmth and food preparations such as natural firewood or charcoal briquettes. Other materials such as flammable liquids, garbage, plastic, aerosol canisters, or other artificial substances are not permitted.","url":null,"updated":"2025-11-18 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-1FF4A543-5FF0-4B2D-94F0-2F29030381AE"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Items Worn or Used in Other Caves Not Allowed","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-white-nose-syndrome.htm","updated":"2024-04-09 19:40:57.0","id":"nps-EBC49FB8-1FE3-42BD-8EE7-D1BBA0DD60DB"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Timed Entry Ticket Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern","text":"Reservations are highly recommended and can be purchased by clicking \"more\" or calling 877-444-6777. Reservations only select the entry time. Upon arrival at the visitor center, an entrance pass must be purchased.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/234637/ticket/10086811","updated":"2024-04-05 14:46:23.0","id":"nps-ED5743DA-201A-47C1-A87D-47BD088D5836"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Footwear in the Cavern","text":"For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction are recommended. Flip flops, sandals, and some walking shoes have little or no traction and increase the possibility of slips, trips, and falls. Watch your step and use the handrails when necessary.","url":null,"updated":"2018-09-19 18:25:10.0","id":"nps-59BA228E-ACAE-4A57-AD4F-CC9E6AFD54E4"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/carlsbad-caverns-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/carlsbad-caverns-national-park.geojson"}