NPS · Wilderness area · New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness

With 116 documented caves including the world-famous Carlsbad Cavern and Lechuguilla Cave at over 125 miles in length, Carlsbad Caverns National Park deserves its international reputation. Approximately...

Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net), where the full text continues.

Official page at Wilderness Connect ↗
Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness
Photo from Wilderness Connect, wilderness.net
DesignationWilderness
Managed byNational Park Service
StateNew Mexico
Size33,125 acres (Wilderness Connect)
Designated1978, by Congress
Center point32.1320, -104.5733
Night skyVery dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 24)

Boundary map

1 outline

Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground

The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.

Where to camp

Campsite Atlas →

No federal campground sits inside the boundary. 1 is within ten miles of it. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.

Explore

Nearby on the other atlases

National Register listings within 15 miles · 6 in all · Register Atlas

Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.

Reference

Questions people ask

How big is Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness?

33,125 acres.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Who manages Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness?

The National Park Service.

Source: Wilderness Connect

What state is Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness in?

New Mexico.

Source: Wilderness Connect

When was Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness designated?

Congress designated it in 1978.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Can I camp at Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness?

No federal campground sits inside the boundary. The nearest is Dog Canyon Campground, 9.2 miles out. 1 in all are within ten miles. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit rules.

Source: Where to camp

How do I get to Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness?

A point inside the boundary is at 32.132, -104.573. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is adjacent. The official page carries directions and the office address.

Source: Wilderness Connect

How dark is the night sky at Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness?

NASA’s Black Marble night-lights image reads 24 on a 0 to 255 scale at the center point, very dark ground, a faint glow at most.

Source: NASA Black Marble

Which national parks are near Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness?

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (adjacent) and Guadalupe Mountains National Park (14 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.

Source: Nearby on the other atlases

Are there historic places near Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness?

6 National Register listings within 15 miles, including Pratt, Wallace, Lodge and Picnic Shelter--Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area.

Source: Register Atlas

Sources

  • Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
  • Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
  • Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
  • Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
  • Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.