Fees & Passes

Overview of entrance requirements

All visitors MUST have

Most visitors also need

Reservations and Timed Entry

Carlsbad Cavern Reservation

Required to enter Carlsbad Cavern
Dates applicable
Jan 1–Dec 31
Cost
$1.00
A entrance time reservation must be purchased to enter Carlsbad Cavern. Time entry ensures a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations.

Exceptions

Carlsbad Cavern is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years days.

Entrance Passes

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come 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:

 
Timed Entry

Reservations Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern

  • Reservations must be purchased online or by calling 877-444-6777.
  • No reservations available at the park.
  • Reservations are only for selecting the entry time.
  • Upon arrival at the visitor center, entrance tickets must be purchased.
 

America The Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes

The 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:

  • Entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges

  • Standard amenity fees (day-use fees) at national forests and grasslands and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers

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.

Beginning January 1, 2024, America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (Interagency) Annual Passes will have one signature line for a single passholder. Removing the option for a second signature will reduce fraud and make all passes consistent. Passholders must be present when the pass is used. When charged per vehicle, each pass will cover entrance fees for one vehicle or one motorcycle. When charged per person, each pass will cover entrance fees for the passholder and three adults (16 and over). Passes are not transferable.

Available passes include:

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 Identification

Free 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:

  • Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)

  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

  • Veteran ID Card

  • Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card

Learn more about free entrance to National Parks for veterans

Free Entrance for Gold Star Families with Voucher

Free 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.

Learn more about free entrance for Gold Star families

Ranger-Guided Tours

Except for the King's Palace Tour, all other tours are temporarily suspended until further notice.

Reservations are highly recommended for all ranger-guided tours, to make reservations you may call 877-444-6777 or go to Recreation.gov. Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on any ranger-guided tours. Other age limits apply depending on the tour.

King's Palace: $8 for adults, $4 for children, under 6 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $4 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Left Hand Tunnel: $7 for adults, $3.50 for children, under 10 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $3.50 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Slaughter Canyon Cave: $15 for adults, $7.50 for children, under 10 not permitted. $7.50 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Lower Cave: $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 12 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Hall of the White Giant: $20 for adults, $10 for children, under 14 not permitted. Must also purchase entrance ticket. $10 for Senior and Access Pass holders.

Last updated: December 15, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

3225 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220

Phone:

575 785-2232

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