Where to Stay Near Carlsbad Caverns- Top 10 for Hotels, RV, or Camping
Trying to figure out where 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.
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So whether you are looking for the closest town, luxury hotels, or RV and camping, here are the best places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns so you can enhance your trip to be exactly what you want!
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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
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
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
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
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.
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 restaurants.
The downside is that the rooms only sleep up to 4. 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 Hotel in Carlsbad
5. Comfort Suites
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 🙂
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!
6. Coolest RV Campground- KOA Carlsbad
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, 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.
7. Closest RV Camping to Carlsbad Caverns- Whites City
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.
8. Sunset Reef Campground
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.
9. Chosa Campground
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.
10. Carlsbad RV Park (with tent sites)
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).
Where to Stay Near Carlsbad Caverns
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!)
