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Plan Your Visit
Key Information
Reservations and Timed EntryCarlsbad Cavern ReservationRequired to Enter Carlsbad Cavern A timed entry reservation must be purchased to access Carlsbad Cavern. In addition, an entry pass must be purchased at the visitor center.
Time entry reservations ensure a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations. ExceptionsCarlsbad Cavern is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years days. Choosing an Entrance PassDo you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass. How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.
Entrance PassesStandard Entrance Pass$15.00
An entrance fee is required to enter Carlsbad Cavern and provides access by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov.
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. In-person Purchase Locations
America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass. How to Get an America the Beautiful PassIn Person (Recommended)Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites. Order Online, Receive by MailTo receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store or by phone: 1-888-275-8747, extension 1. Hours of operation are 8 am to 4 pm Mountain Time. 2024 Free Entrance Days in the National ParksCome experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
America The Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands PassesThe America The Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States. Passes cover:
In general, one pass covers the fees listed above for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or up to four adults at sites that charge per person. Children age 15 or under are admitted free. Some passes provide additional benefits, such as a 50% discount on camping at some sites for holders of Senior or Access Passes. Always check with individual sites for details.
More information about the America the Beautiful–The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series, including available passes, costs, benefits, and how and where they may be obtained, is available. Learn More About National Parks and Federal Lands Passes. Free Entrance for U.S. Military Veterans with IdentificationFree entry is available to veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of identification when entering a national park:
Learn more about free entrance to National Parks for veterans Free Entrance for Gold Star Families with VoucherFree entry is available to Gold Star Families, who are next of kin of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the U.S. Armed Forces.Qualifying families must download a voucher to fill out before arriving at the park. Ranger-Guided ToursExcept for the King's Palace and Lower Cave tours, all other tours are temporarily suspended until further notice. |
Last updated: April 5, 2024