Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The best months to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park are January, February and October — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (51,173 monthly visits); January is quietest at 38% of peak.
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Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Carlsbad Caverns month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Best window | 19,549 | 38% | 56°F / 34°F | 0.3″ | 10.3h |
| February | Best window | 19,778 | 39% | 61°F / 37°F | 0.4″ | 11h |
| March | Peak crowds | 47,261 | 92% | 68°F / 43°F | 0.6″ | 11.9h |
| April | Peak crowds | 37,244 | 73% | 76°F / 49°F | 0.5″ | 13h |
| May | Shoulder | 34,429 | 67% | 84°F / 58°F | 1.3″ | 13.8h |
| June | Peak crowds | 44,915 | 88% | 92°F / 66°F | 1.2″ | 14.2h |
| July | Peak crowds | 51,173 | 100% | 91°F / 68°F | 2.2″ | 14.1h |
| August | Shoulder | 31,512 | 62% | 90°F / 66°F | 2.0″ | 13.4h |
| September | Shoulder | 27,070 | 53% | 83°F / 60°F | 2.9″ | 12.4h |
| October | Best window | 27,986 | 55% | 75°F / 52°F | 1.2″ | 11.4h |
| November | Shoulder | 28,098 | 55% | 65°F / 42°F | 0.7″ | 10.5h |
| December | Shoulder | 32,095 | 63% | 57°F / 35°F | 0.6″ | 10.1h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CARLSBAD CAVERNS, NM US (0 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Carlsbad Caverns each year
Carlsbad Caverns National Park had 410,778 recreation visits in 2025, 11% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2017, with 520,026. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 401,110 visits a year, which makes it the 18th least-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 410,778 | −11% |
| 2024 | 460,474 | +17% |
| 2023 | 394,121 | +1% |
| 2022 | 390,932 | +12% |
| 2021 | 349,244 | +90% |
| 2020 | 183,835 | −58% |
| 2019 | 440,691 | −5% |
| 2018 | 465,912 | −10% |
| 2017 | 520,026 | +11% |
| 2016 | 466,773 | +5% |
| 2015 | 445,720 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Carlsbad Caverns in January
Computed from January's weather normals — Carlsbad Caverns's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
- Headlamp — only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Carlsbad Caverns?
January, February and October rank best for Carlsbad Caverns on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Carlsbad Caverns?
July: an average of 51,173 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is January, at 38% of the July peak.
When is Carlsbad Caverns least crowded with decent conditions?
January. It is the park's quietest month (38% of the July peak, 19,549 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Carlsbad Caverns per year?
Carlsbad Caverns National Park had 410,778 recreation visits in 2025, 11% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2017, with 520,026. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 401,110 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Carlsbad Caverns through the year?
The warmest month is June, with average highs of 92°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 34°F. The wettest month is September, with 2.9″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CARLSBAD CAVERNS, NM US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Carlsbad Caverns ranks against all 63 parks in January, February and October.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks