Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Park Regulations for Carlsbad Caverns
General Rules
Please review the following rules before your trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
Students and group participants (to include scouting groups, civic or special-interest clubs and organizations, church groups, etc.) must stay with adult chaperones at all times. Each chaperone may have NO MORE THAN 10 (ten) students or minors accompanying them.* Each adult should be assigned a group of students/participants and must maintain control of that group.
Stay on the cave trail at all times; the cave floor is very delicate and can be hazardous.
Talk quietly to allow yourself and others to enjoy the cave's natural silence.
Cave pools are not wishing wells. Do not throw anything in the pools. Foreign materials introduce new bacteria. The native bacteria may not be able to compete with the foreign bacteria, and thus, may be eliminated.
Tobacco use of any kind is not permitted anywhere in the caves.
Gum, food and drinks (other than plain water) are not allowed on the cave trail system. The odor from gum and food can attract animals not normally found in the cave. Once they are in the cave, they often cannot find their way out.
Do not touch cave formations, walls, or ceilings. Oils and dirt from hands can permanently damage and stain the caves.
Do not collect anything natural to the park.
Walking sticks, baby strollers and pets (except for service dogs) are not permitted in the cave. Backpacks for carrying babies are available for purchase in the visitor center gift shop. Also, for a small fee, pets are sheltered in a kennel in the visitor center while you visit the park. Pets must not be left in your car if the outside temperature is more than 70°F (21°C), as heat may cause serious injury or death.
Backcountry Regulations
Camping at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is permitted only in the backcountry. All backcountry users are required to obtain a free backcountry use permit at the visitor center.
Backcountry camping permit terms and conditions:
Backcountry camping is only allowed west of Rattlesnake Canyon trailhead off the Desert Scenic Loop Road and south of the Guadalupe Ridge Trail to the park boundary for approximately two miles after which camping is allowed both north and south of the trail.
Campsites must be located at least 100 feet off established trails, 300 feet from any water source or cave entrance and a half mile or 2,600 feet from any road or parking lot.
Backcountry camping groups are limited to 10 people. Larger groups must hike and camp at least one-quarter mile apart in separate areas.
The permit holder must be 18 years of age or older.
The maximum stay is seven consecutive nights.
Vehicle or RV camping is prohibited. Camping is not allowed in any other area, including along any roads, at any parking lot, or any trailhead.
A few other things to keep in mind:
Return the permit to any park ranger at the completion of your trip. Call 505.785.2232 if you can't return the permit.
Do not disturb or collect any plants, animals, minerals, or cultural artifacts.
Entering backcountry caves without written permission of the superintendent is prohibited.
Saddle and stock use is permitted, in designated areas, under special rules and regulations. Advance arrangements are required.
Please report all accidents, fires, injuries, lost persons, or other emergencies to a park ranger.
Mountain bikes and motorized vehicles are prohibited on all park trails.
Lock your vehicle and take valuable items with you.
Carlsbad Caverns In Depth
News from the Parks
Local Tourism Will Get Boost from Historic Site
October 9, 2008 - 3:47pm
The Auburn-Opelika area is expected to get a boost in tourism from the opening of a completely redesigned Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service just down I-85 from Auburn in the nearby city of Tuskegee.
October 9, 2008 - 3:47pm
The Auburn-Opelika area is expected to get a boost in tourism from the opening of a completely redesigned Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service just down I-85 from Auburn in the nearby city of Tuskegee.
Visitors Flock to Sandburg Home for Poetry, Goats and Hiking Trails
October 9, 2008 - 3:37pm
When the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was established 40 years ago, the mission was to preserve legacy and literary works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carl Sandburg. His modest home was kept intact with all the furnishings, magazines and newspapers in place when Sandburg died in 1967. National Park Service staff designed interpretive tours of the home, and public programs were given at the dairy goat farm that Sandburg's wife, Lilian, operated.
October 9, 2008 - 3:37pm
When the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was established 40 years ago, the mission was to preserve legacy and literary works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carl Sandburg. His modest home was kept intact with all the furnishings, magazines and newspapers in place when Sandburg died in 1967. National Park Service staff designed interpretive tours of the home, and public programs were given at the dairy goat farm that Sandburg's wife, Lilian, operated.
Long Road Ahead
October 9, 2008 - 3:33pm
As C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt spoke to a small crowd gathered to learn about the breach in the canal's towpath on Saturday morning, Oct. 4, some late stragglers to the gathering walked down a temporary staircase to the muddy canal bottom and made their way past the gaping crater in the canal wall. "Holy moly," one man exclaimed as he walked past the jagged cavity filled with twisting tree roots, chicken wire and trickling water roped off by yellow caution tape.
October 9, 2008 - 3:33pm
As C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt spoke to a small crowd gathered to learn about the breach in the canal's towpath on Saturday morning, Oct. 4, some late stragglers to the gathering walked down a temporary staircase to the muddy canal bottom and made their way past the gaping crater in the canal wall. "Holy moly," one man exclaimed as he walked past the jagged cavity filled with twisting tree roots, chicken wire and trickling water roped off by yellow caution tape.
Canyon Victim from Scottsdale
October 9, 2008 - 3:29pm
A man who died after falling 250 feet into the Grand Canyon has been identified as a Scottsdale resident, the Associated Press reported.
October 9, 2008 - 3:29pm
A man who died after falling 250 feet into the Grand Canyon has been identified as a Scottsdale resident, the Associated Press reported.
Funk Search Taking Toll on Family
October 9, 2008 - 2:57pm
Although it has been 10 days and counting, family members of 49-year-old Earl Funk, missing in Shenandoah National Park since Sept. 29, are still hoping the lifelong woodsman will be found alive.
October 9, 2008 - 2:57pm
Although it has been 10 days and counting, family members of 49-year-old Earl Funk, missing in Shenandoah National Park since Sept. 29, are still hoping the lifelong woodsman will be found alive.
