NPS / Michael Larson
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Tonight at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife-treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves-formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.
Weather & conditions
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures between 90°F (32°C) and low 100s °F (38°C). Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early spring (March-May) with frequent rain in early fall (August-September). This part of the country also sees cold temperatures in the winter with occasional snow and icy conditions. Most days, the park is enveloped by a gorgeous blue sky with very few clouds, 278 sunny days a year!
What to do after dark
-
Night Sky Programs
Enjoy the night sky at Carlsbad Caverns National Park during a ranger-led night sky program.
What this latitude gives you
From 32.1° north, anything above declination +57.9° is circumpolar here: it never sets, so it is available on every clear night of the year. Anything below declination -57.9° never clears the horizon at all.
Astronomical darkness lasts through every night of the year here, including midsummer, which makes this a rare site for a June or July imaging trip.
We do not hold a measured Bortle class for this site, so treat the sky as unknown until you have taken a reading of your own.
Where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Hotels, cabins, lodges and holiday rentals within reach of these coordinates, for the nights you have chosen above. We earn a commission if you book through this map, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what you are shown: nothing here is ordered, promoted or paid for. How the site is paid for.
- Address
- 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220
- Phone
- 5757852232
- Coordinates
- 32.1409, -104.5530
- Official site
- nps.gov