Fees & Passes

Plan Your Visit

Key Information

  1. Make a reservation

    This park has a timed entry system. You may need to make a reservation in advance.

    Reservations and timed entry

  2. Get an entrance pass

    All visitors must have one of these entrance passes:

    Pass Price
    Standard Pass $15.00
    America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$80.00

    Help me choose an entrance pass

Reservations and Timed Entry

Carlsbad Cavern Reservation

Jan 1–Dec 31

Required to Enter Carlsbad Cavern

A timed entry reservation must be purchased to access Carlsbad Cavern. In addition, an entry pass must be purchased at the visitor center. Time entry reservations ensure a more enjoyable experience and helps to protect the cave formations.

Exceptions

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

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

I'm visiting... We recommend
This park, once Standard Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site America the Beautiful Pass

Entrance Passes

Standard Entrance Pass

$15.00

An entrance fee is required to enter Carlsbad Cavern and provides access by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov.

For Individuals

All visitors over the age of 16 need an entrance pass, including vehicle passengers. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.

Entrance fee provides access to Carlsbad Cavern by elevator and hiking in. Ranger-guided tours are an additional fee and can be reserved on recreation.gov.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Visitor Center

    Cash or Credit/Debit

More information

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

A stack of all six versions of the America the Beautiful Pass

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

  • National Park Service
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service
  • US Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
One private vehicle fee
or
Four per person fees

Type Available to Price
Annual Pass Everyone $80.00
Senior Annual Pass US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old $20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old $80.00
Military Annual Pass Current US military and dependents Free
Military Lifetime Pass Gold Star Family members and veterans Free
Access Pass US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disability Free
4th Grade Pass US 4th graders Free
Volunteer Pass Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours Free

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

In Person (Recommended)

Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

Order Online, Receive by Mail

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.

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, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

 

Ranger-Guided Tours

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

Availability on all ranger-guided tours is limited. It's recommended that you plan ahead and reserve early. To make reservations, 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.

Last updated: September 25, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

3225 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220

Phone:

575 785-2232

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