Carlsbad, NM

Travel Guide
Carlsbad Caverns National Park which includes caves
Underground cave adventures, mountains, desert and a delightful cultural scene are features of this city in southeastern New Mexico.

Head to the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico to find Carlsbad. This city on the Pecos River is an attractive vacation spot for its stunning scenery and outdoor leisure pursuits. Search for fossils on steep mountain trails, marvel at the stalactite formations in underground caves and canoe down the river.

Carlsbad’s most popular attraction is the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 20 miles (32 kilometers) outside the city. Descend deep underground to explore limestone caves. Join a ranger-guided tour or explore on your own. Part of the cave system is accessible to wheelchair users. 

About 1 hour’s drive from Carlsbad is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, a vast wilderness just over the state line and into Texas. More than 80 miles (129 kilometers) of trails meander through forested canyons, mountains and desert. Look for ancient marine fossils embedded in the rocks. Millions of years ago a tropical ocean and a 400-mile-long (644-kilometer) reef system covered the area.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park is a good place to see animal and plant species native to the Chihuahuan Desert.

With more than 1,400 acres (567 hectares) of parks and the Pecos River on its doorstep, Carlsbad has many outdoor attractions. Plan a day of family fun at the Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area. Enjoy fishing, boating, waterskiing, tennis courts and a skateboard park.

Swim or glide across the river on a kayak or paddleboat at the Pecos River Beach and Picnic Area.

To experience Carlsbad’s cultural scene, watch a concert at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts and Exhibition Center. Study the work of early 20th-century New Mexican artists at the Carlsbad Museum and Arts Center. 

Carlsbad is an easy city to get to by car. If you are traveling by plane, the nearest major airport is El Paso International Airport, 158 miles (254 kilometers) away, where you can arrange a rental car. Carlsbad is a great place to come for adventures above and below ground.

White's City Cavern Inn
White's City Cavern Inn
2.5 out of 5
17 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM
The price is ¥15,534 per night from May 11 to May 12
¥15,534
per night
May 11 - May 12
Stay at this hotel in Carlsbad. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,428 reviews)
Carlsbad Caverns trip
"The room was spacious. The reason we stayed there was so we wouldn't have to drive to town. But the restaurant and limited grocery store closed before dinner, so we had to drive to Carlsbad anyway."

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

White's City Cavern Inn
Stevens Inn a Howard Johnson by Wyndham
Stevens Inn a Howard Johnson by Wyndham
2.5 out of 5
1829 S Canal St, Carlsbad, NM
The price is ¥22,286 per night from Jun 6 to Jun 7
¥22,286
per night
Jun 6 - Jun 7
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Carlsbad. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (882 reviews)
"Clean and comfortable, good food in the restaurant"

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Stevens Inn a Howard Johnson by Wyndham
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad
2.5 out of 5
4020 National Parks Hwy, Carlsbad, NM
The price is ¥20,997 per night from May 17 to May 18
¥20,997
per night
May 17 - May 18
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Carlsbad. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (931 reviews)
A GOOD HOTEL, WE LOVE OUR STAY THERE!
"Was a good hotel, the only problem do we see it’s the pool it is steel cool. Theyre should already put hot water in it."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cute 3 Bedroom - New Listings!
Cute 3 Bedroom - New Listings!
Carlsbad
Stay at this vacation home in Carlsbad. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker and air conditioning. Popular attractions Eddy House and Pecos River Flume are located ...
6/10 (5 reviews)
Two day stay to visit National Parks
"Check in was smooth and easy, we had the code the day before sent to us so we were ready to go. All the host asked was for us to let them know when we left. The house was very clean and the furnishings were cute and comfortable. The sheets smelled really clean like they’d just been washed. I would ..."

Reviewed on Apr 11, 2024

Cute 3 Bedroom - New Listings!
The Jalapeño- Historic Adobe Home in Walkable Area
The Jalapeño- Historic Adobe Home in Walkable Area
Carlsbad
Stay at this vacation home in Carlsbad. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Lamont Street Park and Carlsbad Water Park are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
Nice pet friendly property
"Property is nice when traveling with pets. Back yard could do with a spring cleanup since winter winds blow trash and debris inside the fence line. Upstairs has a terrific living room area and kitchen met our needs. Location is good, close to restaurants and main road connections for Carlsbad Caverns. ..."

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024

The Jalapeño- Historic Adobe Home in Walkable Area
New House Near Carlsbad Caverns!
New House Near Carlsbad Caverns!
Carlsbad
Stay at this vacation home in Carlsbad. Enjoy free WiFi and air conditioning. Popular attractions Living Desert State Park and Carlsbad Museum & Art Center are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Traveling from Utah to Texas for the 2024 Eclipse, we stayed at this lovely rental in Carlsbad. We immensely enjoyed Carlsbad Caverns and took a jaunt into the Guadalupe Mountains as well. The home had what we needed, the neighborhood was quiet, and the house itself is beautiful and comfortable."

Reviewed on Apr 6, 2024

New House Near Carlsbad Caverns!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do