Parks / Heartland to the Chihuahuan Desert
Carlsbad Caverns
Stop 9 of 51 on the loop. Stay in Carlsbad NM, give it 2 nights, and plan the day around Natural Entrance / Big Room.
- State
- NM
- Stay in
- Carlsbad NM
- Nights on this route
- 2
- Month on this route
- April
- Don't miss
- Natural Entrance / Big Room
- Getting here
- Same base as Guadalupe Mountains, no driving.
- Next stop
- White Sands, 146 mi, about 3 h 15 min.
About the Park
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.
Description from the National Park Service.
Where to Stay
On this route you sleep in Carlsbad NM. Gateway towns have more lodging, groceries and fuel than the park itself. If you want an in-park lodge instead, the busiest parks book up as early as 13 months out.
Entrance Fees
- $15 Per person (walk or bike in)
An $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry at every national park; on a trip like this it pays for itself after three parks. Fees from the NPS, checked 2026-10-18.
Nearby Parks
- Guadalupe Mountains same base
- White Sands about 106 mi as the crow flies
- Big Bend about 217 mi as the crow flies
Official site: https://www.nps.gov/cave/. Route data checked 2026-10-19.