Visitor Center
32.1755, -104.4442 · Park boundary: National Park Service
>> 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.
- Every day
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
The visitor center and cavern are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
The passport stamp is located in the Western National Parks Association's store in the visitor center.
To access Carlsbad Caverns National Park's only entrance road, New Mexico Highway 7, turn north from U.S. Hwy 62/180 at White's City, New Mexico—which is 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico and 145 miles (233 km) northeast of El Paso, Texas. The entrance road stretches a scenic seven miles (11 km) from the park gate at White's City to the visitor center and cavern entrance. The park's visitor center is located 25 miles (40 km) from the town of Carlsbad.
The visitor center overlooks the Permian Basin with sweeping views. The women's and men's restrooms are on the left and right of the front doors in the middle of the building. Access to all services in the visitor center is on the ground floor. Once inside the front doors, to the left is an information desk and the gift shop and restaurant. To the right is the ticket sales desk, exhibit hall, bookstore, and theater.
Drive to Visitor Center
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