Discovered in 1898 by a teenager, Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico was officially designated a national park in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge. With this act, park rangers were able to create easier and safer access to the Carlsbad Caverns (people were previously using a steep makeshift ramp and other unsafe jury-rigged equipment to explore) and add modern features like electric lights.
One of the largest cavern systems in the world, there are over 20 named halls and rooms and well over 100 caverns, and it is believed that there are several more caverns yet to be discovered. Around 120 miles have been explored, and there are maze-like tunnels that may still reveal more. The largest room aptly named the Big Room, is about three-fourths of a mile long and 255 feet tall (nearly 20 stories).
The closest town, Carlsbad, is about 20 miles northeast. In addition to being the closest town to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad is also well known for the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, at which Maggie the resident bear enjoys painting. Her artwork hangs in several businesses around the state. Book an RV in Eddy County, NM, and get ready to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime RV camping trip.
Tell us where in Carlsbad Caverns National Park you want to pick up or have your RV delivered
Sort by vehicle type, date, price, and amenities
Learn more about your favorite RV and the best local destinations
Send a request directly to the host and start preparing for your adventure
Carlsbad Caverns are an entire world unto itself. Massive rocks soar overhead, interrupted by stalactites stabbing through the ceiling. Tens of thousand years old, these rock formations grow at a pace slower than snails. Eons from now, they will join their mate, stalagmites to form needle-like columns. Visitors can choose to embark on a self-guided tour of one of the two trails. Explore the Big Room trail, which is about 1.25 miles, or the Nature Entrance trail, which is a steep 1.25 switchback trail. Alternatively, join one of the ranger-led tours. The length, duration, and difficulty level of the tours vary depending on which cave system is picked. All visitors should wear closed-toe shoes with good traction, and they are encouraged to bring their cameras.
Up near the surface, there are three established hiking trails that collectively cover around 50 miles of desert. In the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern New Mexico, this region is home to more species of cacti than any other desert in the world. The variety in species of wildlife is equally diverse. A certain area of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, called Rattlesnake Springs, is a unique wooded-desert riparian area that provides nesting habitats to some of the rarest birds in the world. As a result, this area has been deemed an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Hikers are advised to prepare for extremely hot weather conditions by bringing extra water, wearing hats, and using sunscreen.
Rent the RV and experience the stunning night sky over the New Mexico desert. Because of the low humidity and minimal air pollution, visibility is exceptional, and it’s easy to view the Milky Way and several distant astronomical bodies with the naked eye. Though RV camping at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is not allowed, there is a vast swath of Bureau of Land Management land surrounding the park at which RV camping is allowed. One only needs to find an ideal, flat spot and set up.
Alternatively, you could camp in an Airstream near Carlsbad, NM. The RV campgrounds and parks around Carlsbad have varying degrees of amenities. Carlsbad RV Campground, for example, has an indoor swimming pool, gated access, and charging stations for electric vehicles. All RV sites have full hookups, and dogs are welcomed.
The KOA, which is halfway between Carlsbad and Artesia, boasts WiFi, full hookups, and a laundry room. It can accommodate vehicles up to 75 feet.
When you are looking for some more adventure, take the motorhome rental off the beaten track. The Guadalupe Backcountry Highway is a gateway to little-known desert attractions, ghost towns, and geological features. It passes through the Chihuahuan Desert where cholla cacti thrive, by vast desert prairie where herds of pronghorns roam, and along the Capitan Reef, which is a massive fossil remains of an ancient reef.
Roswell has been memorialized in several movies, television shows, and books for its nebulous role in aliens and UFO mythologies as well as its proximity to the mysterious Area 51. The International UFO Museum and Research Center offer several artifacts, photographs, art, and documentations on display for visitors to examine.
At the end of a long day of exploring, kick up your heels outside a travel trailer rental. Roast s’mores over a campfire and watch the stars appear in the night sky.
We care about the protection of your data. Read our privacy policy
July, 2024
November, 2023