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Carlsbad Cavern Highway, Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico
Photo: JYB Devot · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives New Mexico Southern New Mexico

Carlsbad Cavern Highway

NM 7, Carlsbad Cavern Highway · White's City → Carlsbad Caverns visitor center

Twisty6.9 mi15 min900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,500 ftOne way
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The drive

Carlsbad Cavern Highway is the only road into Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It turns north off US 62/180 at White's City and runs about seven miles to the visitor center, a paved two-lane road that follows the bottom of Walnut Canyon through the northeastern end of the Guadalupe Mountains. Past the five-mile mark it turns sharply and climbs the ridge, then swings east to finish at the visitor center. The drive ends on the highway just before the visitor center parking.

The drive is the way in, so the park's rules apply. A timed entry reservation is required to enter Carlsbad Cavern, and entry passes are bought at the visitor center. The visitor center keeps daytime hours, and the park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

White's City is about 20 miles southwest of Carlsbad and 145 miles northeast of El Paso.

Along the way

  1. White's City (NM-7)
  2. Carlsbad Caverns visitor center
Elevation
900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,500 ft
White's CityCarlsbad Caverns visitor center
Curves
Mostly moderate, with two twisty stretches
White's CityCarlsbad Caverns visitor center
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • A park entrance fee applies, and a $1 timed entry reservation for the cavern is booked on Recreation.gov.
  • The visitor center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
  • RV parking is in the west lot, the first lot on the left at the visitor center.
  • Flooding has damaged parts of the park and closed some roads and trails; check the park's alerts page.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Carlsbad Caverns NPS: Alerts and Conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long is the drive to Carlsbad Caverns from White's City?

Carlsbad Cavern Highway is about seven miles from White's City to the visitor center and takes about 15 minutes.

Do you need a reservation to drive to Carlsbad Caverns?

The road itself is open to drive, but entering Carlsbad Cavern requires a timed entry reservation, and entry passes are bought at the visitor center.

Is there a fee on Carlsbad Cavern Highway?

Yes. Carlsbad Cavern Highway is inside the national park, which charges an entrance fee per person aged 16 and over, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

Can RVs drive to Carlsbad Caverns?

Yes. The National Park Service lists RV parking in the west lot, the first lot on the left at the visitor center.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Carlsbad Cavern Highway, from White's City to Carlsbad Caverns visitor center