Visitor Services

Visitor Center

The visitor center is open every day except December 25 and is your first stop on your visit to the cave. Here you can purchase tickets beginning at 8:30 a.m. each morning. Tickets may also be purchased at hotels in Carlsbad and Whites City—and then presented at the visitor center information desk for validation.

The visitor center features exhibits on bat colonies, cave geology, cave restoration and cave history. 

There is also a children's exhibit that includes a variety of pictures, games, and hands-on material. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce recently installed a special touch-screen computer to provide information about local attractions and exhibits featuring state and local maps.

While the park does not offer the standard "movie" found at many national parks, there is a short self-serve video available with closed captioning in Spanish or English. This video serves as an introduction to the bats of Carlsbad Caverns.

Dining

A Restaurant is located at the visitor center and a Lunchroom is located in the cavern by the elevator. You can always bring your own food as there are picnic areas.

There are three picnic areas in the park, located at Walnut Creek and near the visitor center. Rattlesnake Springs has tables, grills, drinking water and restrooms.

Accessibility

National parks are set aside for the enjoyment of all. Because of the rugged nature of many of the nation's treasures, it has been difficult to provide access for everyone who might have special needs. The National Park Service has been making strides to furnish facilities that allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy the beauties of the great outdoors.

The visitor center and a large section of the self-guided Big Room tours are wheelchair-accessible. An outdoor nature trail and picnic sites near the visitor center and at Rattlesnake Springs, are also accessible.

Access to the Big Room is provided by elevators located in the visitor center. The relatively level and well lighted trails make this the ideal tour for visitors with limited time or walking difficulties. The Big Room is accessible to wheelchairs, with a special map available at the visitor center information desk.

Lodging in the Park

There is no lodging in Carlsbad Cavern National Park other than backcountry camping.

Lodging Outside the Park

Carlsbad Super 8 (http://www.super8carlsbad.com/)