The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a national wonder in southeastern New Mexico. Our RV stay in Carlsbad provided easy access to the caverns and a day drive to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas. The Carlsbad KOA Holiday offered resort amenities and full hookups.
Key Takeaways:
- The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is just spectacular!
- The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an hours drive from Carlsbad and boasts the hightest peaks in Texas
- Sitting Bulls Falls is a great day trip for a picnic, hike and a dip at the waterfalls (in warmer weather)
- Carlsbad KOA Holiday is dog-friendly, full amenity resort with full hookups, pool and pull-through sites
Campground Review:
Carlsbad KOA Holiday is a very nice RV stay and centrally located for many of the area attractions. The park provides resort amenities with full hookups, pull-through sites, cabins, pool and dog park. We found it easy to walk the dogs around the large park and the dog park was a nice bonus. March is a windy month in New Mexico but we managed to keep things buttoned down.
What to do:
- Plan a day trip to Carlsbad Caverns; book a timed reservation online to avoid long waits; self-guided tours can last between 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Drive to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park; there is no scenic drive through the park but the mountain peaks are visible enroute to the visitor centers and several hikes area available to fully experience the park (Note: Pets are not allowed on most trails in the park)
- Pack a picnic, bring the dogs and visit Sitting Bull Falls in the Lincoln National Forest; the waterfalls are amazing
- Visit the dog-friendly Balanzo Vineyard; we visited during a dog event and the girls loved it – the wine was very good too
- Sip some local beers at the Guadalupe Brewing Company in Carlsbad; great beer, awesome pizza and a dog-friendly patio
- Grab lunch or dinner at the Yellowbrix Restaurant in downtown Carlsbad; the patio is dog friendly
Carlsbad Cavern Tips
- Dogs are not allowed in the caverns and dogs cannot be left in vehicles unattended; kennels are available on site for a fee
- The cavern tour is approx. 1.5 hours if you take the elevator to the Big Room; If you walk to the Big Room, you will add an additional hour to your tour. We followed advice from others and opted for the elevator.
- The caverns are damp and cool but not cold; you can bring bottled water
- Bring a flashlight
Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns Dolls Theater
Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns
Guadalupe Mountains
Sitting Bull Falls
Hike to Sitting Bull Falls
Dogs at Sitting Bull Falls
Chili & Cedar’s Review:
The Carlsbad KOA Holiday is a dog-friendly park. We loved napping on the green space by our RV and our long walks around the park. They also had a dedicated dog park – nice stay!
Campground Rating: 4.7 out of 5 PAWS
Cedar loved hanging her head out the window on our drives to the Guadalupe National Park and Sitting Bull Falls. We liked our hike to Sitting Bull Falls but mom wouldn’t let us go in the water. We went to a very dog-friendly winery – the Balzano Family Vineyards — thanks for the treats and the bandanas! There was not much grass in this area and it was quite windy during our stay. All in all, we had a great time!