Where to Stay Near Carlsbad Caverns in 2024 (The Answer May Surprise You)
If you are looking for where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns National Park, you’ve come to the right place.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park has been a major tourist attraction for over a century. I’ve been lucky to see some of the most impressive caves in the U.S., like Mammoth Caves and Wind Dave (SD), but Carlsbad Caverns may be the most beautiful of them all.
It’s also a prime example of a U.S. national park located in a remote area—a.k.a. there is not much to do nearby. The surrounding area has become a little bit of a ghost town.
For that reason, my top suggestion for where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns is not the nearest town, Whites City. While the national park sign is visible from town (you’re that close), there is not much to see or do in Whites City. You’ll find a single restaurant that closes at 3 pm, a visitor center/gift shop, and a small grocery store.
Instead, consider staying in Carlsbad, New Mexico, located about 20 miles from the national park, which gives you options. I don’t know about you but I like having options. Keep reading to find out my top picks for places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns.
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Where to Stay Near Carlsbad Caverns
Here are my top suggestions on where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
1. The Trinity Hotel
4.5/5 ⭐ – 1,063 reviews (see more)
Distance from Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Visitor Center): 27 miles
I’ll start the list with one of the most unique places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns. If you are looking for something different from the standard chain hotel, this is it!
The Trinity Hotel is located in a renovated bank building right on the town’s main street. As you might guess, this historic hotel comes with a ton of charm. There are just 9 rooms in the hotel, each offering a modern twist on classical antiquity. You can even stay in a suite (Room 206) that now occupies the space where the bank safe once stood.
P.S. There is no elevator in the hotel, so be prepared to carry your bags upstairs.
You’ll also find a nice restaurant located right downstairs which is THE place to eat if you want something a little more upscale in town. Note: The rooms directly upstairs can get a bit noisy, so the hotel provides earplugs because of this.
Hotel Amenities
2. Hyatt House Carlsbad
8.8/10 ⭐ – 258 reviews (see more)
Distance from Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Visitor Center): 24 miles
Hyatt House Carlsbad provides the perfect happy medium in terms of where to stay. Among Carlsbad hotels on this list, this one is the closest to Carlsbad Caverns, and you’re still near downtown Carlsbad (3.5 mi away) for easy access to restaurants.
Built in 2020, the Hyatt House provides an incredibly clean and modern space that includes 104 extended-stay rooms with fully equipped kitchenettes.
The hotel includes a small bar and lounge inside (open 5-10 pm) where you can order a drink and bite to eat. You can expect typical “bar food” like burgers, wings, pizza, and sandwiches. There’s also a small market that offers grab-and-go snacks or groceries to prepare in your room’s kitchen– a convenience I’ve always valued!
Hotel Amenities
3. Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad
9/10 ⭐ – 331 reviews (see more)
Distance from Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Visitor Center): 25 miles
During our recent visit, my husband and I chose to stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad. It’s quiet and clean, plus comes with most of the amenities you would want during your stay — a free breakfast buffet, fitness center, and on-site laundry services.
The hotel is approximately 18 miles from Carlsbad Caverns National Park and 3 miles from the small downtown of Carlsbad, where there are plenty of eateries to grab a bite.
Home2 Suites are great because there’s a small kitchen in each room where you have access to a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and stovetop (ask at the front desk). It’s a good option for those looking for a short or extended stay on a budget.
Hotel Amenities
4. Fiddler’s Inn
9.8/10 ⭐ – 331 reviews (see more)
Distance from Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Visitor Center): 28 miles
The Fiddler’s Inn is another great option if you want to book something other than a chain hotel. This bed and breakfast is so adorable and all the rooms are decorated to a unique theme, like “Sailor’s Hornpipe” and “Whiskey Before Breakfast”.
There are only 6 rooms available at the hotel so be sure to book early!
Fiddler’s Inn provides each guest with a voucher to use at the Blue House Bakery & Cafe two doors down for breakfast (Monday through Saturday), breakfast-in-bed on Sunday, hot tub access, free high-speed WiFi, cable TV, and plush bath robes.
This cozy B&B makes you feel like you’re visiting a relative’s home, in the best possible way. There are so many warm personal touches that make you instantly feel comfortable and relaxed. You might never want to leave!
Hotel Amenities
5. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Carlsbad
8.9/10 ⭐ – 1,332 reviews (see more)
Distance from Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Visitor Center): 27 miles
Normally, I would recommend Fairfield Inn & Suites since you typically earn more points staying here than other Marriott properties (if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy® program member). But, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Carlsbad just down the street offers a newer and overall better experience.
It’s one of the nicest places to stay in Carlsbad! TownePlace Suites is another hotel chain that offers a “home away from home” with a fully loaded kitchen, fitness center, outdoor pool, and guest laundry services.
Located on downtown Carlsbad’s main strip, the hotel also provides convenient access to lots of nearby restaurants (even though many of them are fast food chains). You’re also right next to a beautiful park with a playground for kids to enjoy.
Hotel Amenities
6. Whites City Cavern Inn
8.8/10 ⭐ – 1,332 reviews (see more)
Distance from Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Visitor Center): 7.4 miles
If you want to stay super close to Carlsbad Caverns, I would suggest White City Cavern Inn, located steps away from the entrance to the park and a short drive to reach the cave.
This is a convenient option if you plan to get up at the crack of dawn (4-6 am) to watch the bats re-enter the cavern from their nightly feeding. Evening exit flights also occur, both taking place from late May through October. My husband and I were lucky to experience this during prime season (August-September) and watch THOUSANDS of bats exit the cavern at dusk. I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary!
The town of Whites City is TINY (population: 0) with only one restaurant, a visitor center/gift shop, and a small grocery store.
That being said for a “1-star” motel categorization, most of the reviews are positive. Guests praise the spacious and clean rooms and motel’s proximity to Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park (25-minute drive). There’s also an outdoor pool with a splash pad and pirate ship + slide that kids will love!
Hotel Amenities
Additional FAQs
Explore common queries and get quick answers in my Carlsbad Caverns FAQ section.
How many days do you need in Carlsbad Caverns?
If you get a halfway decent start to the day, you can explore the main cavern, participate in a ranger-led tour, and witness the bat flight (seasonal) all in one day. If you plan to hike additional trails, explore surrounding areas, or participate in multiple tours, you may consider staying for two days to make the most of your visit.
Is Carlsbad Caverns worth going to?
Yes, I would highly recommend carving out some time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The story about Jim White’s adventurous spirit that led to the discovery and mapping of many of the cave’s passages (I won’t spoil it) is worth hearing alone.
Plus the jaw-dropping stalactites, stalagmites, and a bat show in the morning and evening that puts Broadway to shame (kidding, but it’s still so cool to watch).
If you are considering visiting both national parks in New Mexico, White Sands National Park is also worth going to. The distance between the two national parks is around 180 miles, making it possible to also visit White Sands during your trip (we did). However, I would not advise exploring both parks in a single day.
Do you need a reservation for Carlsbad Caverns?
YES! Advanced entrance time reservations are required to enter Carlsbad Caverns. You can make self-guided tour reservations online or by calling 877-444-6777. This reserves the entry time only and costs $1/per visitor.
This reservation will get you as far as the Visitor Center.
An additional entrance fee of $15/per person (ages 15 and under are free) or a valid National Park pass is required upon arrival to be able to tour the cave. Note: Ages 15 and below must still purchase an entrance time reservation for $1. This pass does not require advanced registration and can be purchased at the Visitor Center.
Entry times are based on a 60-minute window beginning with the start time that you select. For example, my husband and I selected an 11:30 am reservation time, so we had to enter the cave between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. I would recommend taking a screenshot of your ticket prior to arrival, as cell service can be spotty.
If you would like to save some money and can time it right, there are a handful of “fee-free days” throughout the year where no entrance pass is required:
- Monday, January 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week
- Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth
- Sunday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, September 28 — National Public Lands Day
- Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day
There’s also a ranger-guided tour you can purchase to see the cave formations in the King’s Palace. The tour allows a maximum of 12 visitors for each time slot at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm daily, so I would recommend reserving a ticket early. The cost is an additional $8 per adult and $4 for children, plus a $1 reservation fee. Children under 6 years of age are not allowed on this tour.
Do you need hiking boots for Carlsbad Caverns?
Hiking boots are not necessary for exploring the main cavern at Carlsbad Caverns. The park’s main cavern is accessible via paved walkways and elevators. However, the first portion is steep, descending 750 ft into the caverns (equivalent to a 75-story building). Plus, the entire trail takes about 2-3 hours to complete, so I’m glad I wore mine!
Note: Hiking poles are not permitted in the cave.
Final Thoughts
Choosing where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns involves considering factors like proximity and travel preferences. Whether you prefer a hotel closest to the caverns for convenience or a lodging option with additional amenities, there are a variety of accommodations in the area that cater to different needs.
While there isn’t much to do in Carlsbad other than visit the caverns, it’s a decent-sized tourist town that allows you to lay your head down at night after a long day of exploring. And you’re in good company — many of the nearby hotels are typically occupied by visitors, much like yourself, who are here to explore Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
More content on other national parks across the United States:
