National Park · New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A vast limestone cave system beneath the Chihuahuan Desert.

2026 entrance fee

Free entrance

Park entrance is free; cavern entry tickets are priced separately.

America the Beautiful — U.S. resident $80/yr
America the Beautiful — non-resident $250/yr

The annual pass covers entrance and standard day-use at ~2,000 federal recreation sites for 12 months.

RV & camper tips

No NPS campground and no entrance fee; cave access (self-guided or ranger tours) is ticketed separately. The visitor center road suits RVs.

Camping

No developed NPS campground at this unit — use nearby private RV parks or public lands.

Official site: nps.gov/cave/index.htm

On this park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park FAQ

How much does it cost to enter Carlsbad Caverns National Park in 2026?
Carlsbad Caverns National Park has no entrance fee. Park entrance is free; cavern entry tickets are priced separately. The America the Beautiful pass is still useful if you plan to visit other fee-charging federal sites on the same trip.
Do non-U.S. residents pay extra at Carlsbad Caverns National Park?
No. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is not on the 11-park non-resident surcharge list, so entrance fees are the same for all visitors. The 11 surcharge parks are Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.
Can I camp with an RV at Carlsbad Caverns National Park?
Carlsbad Caverns National Park does not have a developed NPS campground. No NPS campground and no entrance fee; cave access (self-guided or ranger tours) is ticketed separately. The visitor center road suits RVs. Nearby private RV parks and public lands (BLM/National Forest) usually offer overnight options.

Keep exploring

Other free parks

Denali National Park Free entrance Great Smoky Mountains National Park Free entrance Congaree National Park Free entrance Cuyahoga Valley National Park Free entrance Hot Springs National Park Free entrance Great Basin National Park Free entrance Mammoth Cave National Park Free entrance New River Gorge National Park Free entrance

Source: National Park Service — Fees & Passes / Nonresident Fees — retrieved 2026-08-09. Entrance fees can change and some parks price seasonally; always confirm the exact rate for your entry type and date on the park's official NPS page before you travel. This page is an independent travel-resource summary and is not affiliated with the National Park Service.

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