Can you reserve a site at Parks Ranch Cave?

No. Parks Ranch Cave is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Parks Ranch Cave

Facility · New Mexico ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Carlsbad Field Office (Bureau of Land Management NM) · Open Access

3,566 ft
Elevation

A gypsum cave with over four miles of mapped passage and twenty different entrances, it is the longest gypsum cave on public land in the United States. Groups of all experience levels can find something to enjoy in Parks Ranch Cave. No permit is required for this cave.

Always cave with at least three people, three sources of light, and let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to return. Animals frequently use the cave entrances, so use caution when you approach. Watch and listen for animals such as owls, bats, snakes, and more. Parks Ranch Cave takes on water when it rains, so do not enter if rain is forecasted for the area.

What to Bring

Helmet with headlamp to keep your noggin safe and provide hands-free lighting.
Gloves for hand protection
Elbow pads to help in tight climb
Kneepads for protection in crawls
Sturdy boots to provide good support and traction

Getting there

Parks Ranch Cave is located about 25 miles southwest of Carlsbad, NM. From Carlsbad, take US 62/180 west for about 26 miles until mile marker 9, Dillahunty Road. Use the crossing to turn and travel north on US 62/180 for one mile. At mile marker 10, turn right onto a gravel road. Cross the cattle guard and turn left. Travel one third of a mile, then turn right. Drive approximately nine tenths of a mile and you will see the chain link fences surrounding the main cave entrances.

32.11069, -104.40678 · 32°6'38.5"N 104°24'24.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 92°F in Jun, down to 56°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	56	61	68	76	84	92	91	90	83	75	65	57
Low °F	34	37	43	49	58	66	68	66	60	52	42	35
Precip in	0.3	0.4	0.6	0.5	1.3	1.2	2.2	2.0	2.9	1.2	0.7	0.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

No Fees

Stay limit: 14 Days

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Member photos

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Common questions about Parks Ranch Cave

Can you reserve a site at Parks Ranch Cave?: No. Parks Ranch Cave is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
How long can you stay at Parks Ranch Cave?: 14 Days

Camping near Parks Ranch Cave

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours 4.9 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Dog Canyon Campground 26.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Frijole Horse Corral Campground 27.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sunset Reef Campground 1.6 mi · Facility
Chosa Campground 2.1 mi · Facility
Visitor Center 5 mi · Facility
Dark Canyon Lookout Observation Site 19.6 mi · Facility
5 Points Vista 23.6 mi · Facility
Lost Cave 24.1 mi · Facility
Six Mile Dam 24.2 mi · Facility
Red Bluff Reservoir 26 mi · Facility
Dog Canyon Ranger Station 26.2 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-04.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.