Carlsbad caverns

[Jerry1943]

My wife and planning a trip to Carlsbad caverns. Any thoughts. On any good rv parks to stay at close to the caverns? What good tours of the caverns?

[Thunder_Mountai]

If you are so inclined. Do pay extra for the Ranger led tour of the lower cavern. It is way cool. Read the description of the tour and make your own decision. Not difficult but a bit slippery in places.

[huachuca]

What amenities are needed? In my opinion, Brantley Lake SP is the best of the 'developed' campgrounds around Carlsbad but, if you don't mind dry camping, Dog Canyon in Guadalupe Mountain National Park is a great alternative. It has water and flush johns but not much else other than location and the fact that you'll likely have the place to yourself. Security isn't an issue as the CG is in a box canyon and the road in runs right by the resident ranger's house.

When visiting the Caverns, get reservations for the Lower Cave tour. Its an extra cost but a great way to see parts of the cave most folks miss.

Lincoln National Forest is adjacent and makes for a beautiful drive from Dog Canyon to Carlsbad. Sitting Bull Falls is in the NF and well worth a visit.

The Living Desert Zoo and State Park is located in Carlsbad and a great place to spend at least a half day.

The Pratt Cabin in McKittrick Canyon is a nice day hike but be sure to take plenty of water.

Its a beautiful area - have fun.

[RE_Todd]

Elevators are repaired

[Crodad]

We stayed at the KOA. Very nice campground, but it is far from the caverns. I think it took us about an hour to get to the caverns. and we went twice a day for two days. We went in the morning to tour the caves and returned at dusk to see the bats. The bats didn't come out the first night so we had to go back the next day and hoped they would come out and they did. What a site to see.

[SolidAxleDurang]

Another vote for Brantley Lake State Park. Quite nice and very quiet. 😉

If you arrive after dark, you'll feel like you're driving an eternity off the highway on a 2-lane blacktop to nowhere.... It's 5 miles off the road.

We went this past February. Elevators are NOT working in the caverns... You must hike back UP the entire thing... Tentative date to have them turned back on is May 31. https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

[junmy3]

We are taking our oldest grandson to Carlsbad Caverns next month. After reading many campground reviews in the area, we decided to stay at Brantley Lake State Park. Like the price and we like supporting state parks. Also helped that when we leave we are heading north. Have a great trip.

[Busskipper]

Jerry1943 wrote:
My wife and planning a trip to Carlsbad caverns. Any thoughts. On any good rv parks to stay at close to the caverns? What good tours of the caverns?

Don't remember where just that it was better than the other options and still not good - take a flashlight or two (And a jacket) and talk with the Rangers - we found one who gave us a 60 minute personal history/tour that was one of the best and most informative we have ever had.

It's worth the effort to see.

BOL,

[imgoin4it]

KOA or brantley lake are the only two places to even vonsider. Stayed at another park years sgo, but checked them all out several months ago and I would not consider any other than these two.

[2gypsies1]

We stay at Brantley Lake. Check the web site for lots of good information.

https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

We just tour it on our own but we rent the 'talking wands' and when you get near something special it describes what you're seeing. It works well. Each individual should rent one - don't try to share.

[Kit_Carson]

It is not close to the Caverns, but you won't go wrong with the KOA. Unless it has changed, it is a great place to stay. Big sites, friendly folks running the place and you can order dinner delivered to your site from their café.

[DianneOK]

Moved from Workcamping

[mike-uswest]

We stayed at Brantley Lake State Park and liked it. The cave was good, and the Bats were fantastic.

Mike

[DandD2015]

I went there many years ago (c. 1993?). I liked it because it wasn't so vast and overwhelming that it couldn't be seen comfortably in a day. And no, not like where Chevy Chase looks at the Grand Canyon and says ok, let's go. It didn't seem like a grueling hike or anything but there were some nice formations inside, worth visiting. But as BB says, I don't recall much else being in the area except for Border Patrol. And time your visit so you can see the bats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yybkQEp0hJg

[GailS]

We stayed at Carlsbad RV Park but I would not recommend it. Fortunately we paid half price as it was a Passport America participant at that time. We actually just spent the night after visiting the caverns and did not use any of their facilities. Its' proximity to the caverns was convenient.