11 Best Places to Stay Near Carlsbad Caverns (Hotel, RV, or Camp)

Trying to find the best places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns? We visited this beautiful national park recently and got a feel for the lay of the land a bit. Where we stayed was great and convenient, but there seemed to be a lot of great options for whatever style lodging you’re looking for.

We loved staying in Carlsbad, the closest large town near the caverns. There were plenty of amenities and hotels to choose from. But there were also some other awesome looking hotels and RV parks we drove past on the way to the caverns, so I’m here to share those with you

So whether you are looking for the closest town, luxury hotels, or RV and camping, here some great hotels near Carlsbad Caverns, as well as a few RV parks or even campgrounds so you can enhance your trip to be exactly what you want!

What’s the closest city to Carlsbad Caverns?

There are a few towns near Carlsbad Caverns.

The closest city to the park is Whites City. However, there’s really not much around. If you’re only staying for a quick overnight, then Whites City could be great. There’s only one restaurant in town, (Cactus Cafe), so you’ll need to enjoy this restaurant a few times or come prepared with some food.

There is also a small grocer, post office, and gift shop in Whites City.

We stayed in Carlsbad, the next closest town at only about 20 minutes away from the national park. Carlsbad has plenty of shops, restaurants, and downtown amenities should you need anything. I definitely recommend staying here if you’re settling in for more than a day.

While the Caverns may only take a day to go through, there is plenty more to do around the area to keep the family entertained.

Luxury Hotels Near Carlsbad Caverns (and a rental)

We’ll start with the sparkly stuff and go for the most luxurious hotels near the park.

While there aren’t any high-end hotels, there are some nicer hotel in Carlsbad, the closest town to Carlsbad Caverns.

1. Fiddler’s Inn

Distance from Park: 21 miles / 26 minutes

Fiddler’s Inn is a beautiful, cozy, top-rated little bed and breakfast in a nice neighborhood of Carlsbad. You’ll enjoy comfortable accommodations that are perfect for couples and families. Those with kids will appreciate multi-bedroom adjoining rooms.

Since it’s a bed and breakfast style lodging, you’ll get to enjoy coffee and a pastry at the local cafe each morning. Except Sundays when the cafe is closed. On Sundays you’ll get a continental breakfast in your room.

You’ll also get coffee, bottled water, and a complimentary cookie in your room. Those little details make you feel at home when you’re far away.

Each room has individual decor, a big comfy bed, and seating area. Some even have little kitchens in the room and a fireplace.

Past guests have loved the friendly staff, the quick service, and the feelings and comforts of home.

You’ll feel luxury in a cozy kind of way, without paying sky high prices.

2. Hyatt House

Distance from Park: 17 miles / 17 minutes

Hyatt is a well-known chain hotel throughout the USA. Their location in Carlsbad, while not luxury, is pretty nice and very convenient for families. The rooms are sleek and include a small to medium kitchen.

Families will love being able to swim in the outdoor pool or sitting around the outdoor fire pit area.

While it’s ranked really high among past guests, the downfall is that a room maxes out at 4 people, so larger families will have to book two rooms or find another place.

3. Luxurious Home Rental Near Carlsbad

Distance: About 25 miles / 35 minutes (exact address not noted)

I realize this isn’t a hotel, but if you really want luxury, then it’s worth a look at this ah-maze-ing rental.

While the Hyatt House looked nice, it can’t fit those larger families, this rental definitely can.

Located a short drive northwest of Carlsbad, this updated home can sleep up to 12 among the 6 bedrooms. And you don’t have to fight over getting ready in the morning since there are 5 bathrooms.

The main master suite is huge with a sitting area and the second master suite, though smaller, is still beautiful with its own en-suite bathroom. The remaining rooms have either a king, queen, or twin beds.

Kids will love that the home sits on 15 acres, with a smaller playable area in the back.

This home is beautiful and a great way to fit everyone on your next trip to Carlsbad Caverns.

The Closest Hotel to Carlsbad Caverns

If you are looking for hotels by Carlsbad Caverns that are most convenient to the park, then this is the one. And it looks incredibly fun.

4. Whites City Cavern Inn

Distance: 0.5 mile / 2 minutes

The Whites City Cavern Inn is as close as you can get to staying near Carlsbad Caverns. It’s located maybe a minute away from the entrance to the park in it’s own little town, Whites City.

Carlsbad Caverns plus a waterpark?! This is the place!

The kids will love you for this one. White City Cavern Inn has a seasonal pool on site that also has a fun pirate boat and splash structures for the younger ones. Older kids (and adults) can rip down one of the two larger waterslides!

This is a pretty standard and basic hotel as far as the inside goes, but it’s convenient for families. Breakfast is included, outdoor amenities will please the kids, there’s a restaurant on site, and the little town has its own grocery, gas station, and restaurant.

The downside is that the rooms only sleep up to 4 and there isn’t much in the town, so you’ll have to come prepared or eat at the same restaurant a few times.

The good part is that at an average of just around $100 per night, it’s not too painful to have to book 2 rooms if you need.

Pro Tip: If you are a rewards member with hotels.com, you’ll often get additional discounts on nightly rates, making this super affordable!

The Best Affordable / Cheap Hotels by Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Cavern lodging, for the majority, happens in the town of Carlsbad. There are plenty of hotels to pick from. Here are a few comfortable, but affordable options.

5. Comfort Suites

Distance: 25 miles / 30 minutes

Believe it or not, the best affordable place to stay near Carlsbad Caverns is Comfort Suites. You may be thinking that those are just basic, cheap hotels. But this one feels sleek while still keeping the “cheap” part, in a good way.

This Comfort Suites has shining reviews from guests, from the comfortable beds, quiet rooms, friendly staff, and comfort snacks in the lobby to great attention to cleaning.

The rooms can sleep up to 5, but if your family is larger, you have the option to book adjoining rooms (make a quick call after booking to make sure yours is reserved).

When we travel, we bring our own meals and heat them up, so it’s nice that this place has a mini fridge and a microwave. Of course, wait till after you’re done swimming at the outdoor pool to eat 🙂

6. Fairfield Inn and Suites

Distance: 19 miles / 20 minutes

We stayed at the Fairfield and would recommend it. There are a few reasons this hotel worked for us.

First, we are a family of 6, so it was nice having the multiple bed unit. This gave us two beds plus a sleeper sofa. Our kids are young enough that they don’t mind the pull-out couch, so we were able to save money on just booking 1 room for all of us.

Second, it comes with free breakfast. This is always SO convenient in the morning when we want to get going and not figure out where to eat breakfast. Plus, my son appreciates being able to go to the breakfast buffet twice.

And lastly, there’s a great pool at the Fairfield. I remember growing up, the hotel pool was always a highlight. So even if it’s just for a short time, we try to take the kids to the pool.

This pool is outdoors, but even in March (when we went) it was warm enough for a swim.

Beyond that, you’ll get the standard little hotel workout room and a snack corner where you can purchase basic snacks and items in the hotel lobby.

RV Parks Near Carlsbad Caverns

If you’re looking to do some RV camping near Carlsbad Caverns, there are SO many to choose from. Here are a few that are the top RV campgrounds near Carlsbad Caverns so you can choose from the best!

7. Coolest RV Campground- KOA Carlsbad

Distance: 38 miles / 40 minutes

Kampgrounds of America, or KOA, is one of the most well-known campgrounds around the country, with over 500 sites.

These campgrounds typically have decent hookups and accommodations, as well as fun and useful amenities at their site.

In Carlsbad, this location is a little further from the park, but it comes with all the amenities KOAs are known for.

You’ll be able to enjoy plenty of large pull through 30 and 50 amp sites for your RV.

You’ll also enjoy the seasonal pool, free WiFi, and free cable TV.

Kids will love the huge rec room with games, toys, and books. Outdoors welcomes guests to the volleyball courts, tetherball for a childhood throwback, gaga ball, playground, and basketball.

KOA is a trusted brand of RV and tent camping, as well as glamping/lodging sites.

The downside is that this RV park, while incredibly cool, is located north of Carlsbad, giving you a little longer drive to get to the caverns.

8. Closest RV Camping to Carlsbad Caverns- Whites City

Distance: 0.5 mile / 2 minutes

If you like the idea of the KOA with it’s fun activities, but don’t want that extra drive, then this is the one.

The closest that you will get to the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns is Whites City. The same place listed above (Whites City Caverns Inn) also offers RV camping and tent camping in addition to lodging.

The RV campground has pull through and back in spots that accommodate most sizes. You’ll get water, sewer, and electric hook ups, plus showers and bathrooms.

*For an additional great RV park, please see Carlsbad RV Park below 🙂

Best Camping Near Carlsbad Caverns – Tent Camping

First, make sure to read the section above as the KOA and Whites City both offer tent camping in addition to RV camping. Those are highly rated, great places for tent camping.

Whites City is as close as you’ll get to the national park, while the KOA is farther away but has great amenities.

For more tent campgrounds near Carlsbad Caverns, check out these few highly rated places not too far from the park.

9. Sunset Reef Campground

Distance: 7 miles / 9 minutes

Looking for where to camp when visiting Carlsbad Caverns? This is a great option with very high reviews.

Other than Whites City, Sunset Reef is the closest camping you’ll find to Carlsbad Caverns. It’s located just south of the park entrance and is rated almost perfectly by over 100 past campers.

The best part about Sunset Reef is that it is part of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), meaning that it is FREE to dry camp here (up to 5 nights).

The difficult part is that you can’t make reservations; it is a first-come first-served campground. The other hard part is that there are only 6 tent sites (and 5 RV spaces).

So you may be testing your luck to land this spot.

But if you do, it’s FREE and you’ll get a fire pit, picnic table, and grill at your campsite. There are also vault toilets you can use.

10. Chosa Campground

Distance: 8 miles / 7 minutes

If Sunset Reef is full, you can try your luck a little farther south at Chosa Campground. This is also under the BLM, which means there are no fees to camp here.

Chosa has limited space of just 10 tent sites, but you can also park your RV on site.

There are less amenities here, but it’s conveniently situated between the beautiful Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains.

11. Carlsbad RV Park (with tent sites)

Distance: 17 miles / 16 minutes

As the name suggests, you can also bring your RV to this park. In addition, you can rent a cabin to stay in for some glamping.

But I’ve included this campground near Carlsbad Caverns because they also have tent sites. They are limited (only 6 tent sites), but you can call and make a reservation, ensuring you have somewhere to set up when you arrive.

The great thing about this RV/Cabin/Campground is that there is an indoor pool on site, games, WiFi, cable, laundry, showers, and a bathroom.

The park is enclosed as a gated park for extra protection, as well.

Tent camping rates are just over $40 (not bad for the extra amenities), and discounts are available to many group (like retired or active military, those with AAA, AARP, or Good Sam).

Quick Comparison Table – My Top Picks

Here’s a quick look and quick comparison of where I would pick in each category. Since I travel with kids, the amenities on the RV parks and Campgrounds are really valuable to our family, so those had a bit more weight to them!

Where to Stay Near Carlsbad Caverns

We visited a lot of places on our little New Mexico road trip. We started at White Sands (amazing!) and then drove from White Sands to Carlsbad.

Since we were hitting a few different places, we spent a full day in the caverns and had a great, comfortable sleep at the Fairfield before continuing on to Albuquerque.

This hotel was great for us, and it’s good to know there are so many other options in the area.

If you are looking for the best places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns, this list provides some of the best hotels, RV parks, or tent campgrounds near the national park. All come highly rated and feature either convenience or great amenities.

So load up the car or RV and find the perfect place to stay near the park. Whether you’re looking for great pools, games, or just somewhere clean and comfy, you’ll find the best places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns here.

Discover New Mexico with these other stops:

Best Things to do in Albuquerque with Kids

What to do in Santa Fe (and check out this great self-guided walking tour that is a fraction of the price of a live tour!)