Cabin camping near Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico provides shelter from the intense Chihuahuan Desert climate, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F and winter nights can drop below freezing. Most cabin accommodations sit at elevations between 3,000-4,000 feet above sea level, making for significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Cabins typically cost $60-120 per night depending on amenities and seasonality.
What to do
Evening bat flights: Visit Carlsbad Caverns at sunset from May through October to witness thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from the cave entrance. Whites City RV Campground's location puts you just minutes from this spectacle, with one visitor noting, "We moved from our free dispersed campsite to fill up, charge up, shower and do laundry. Very friendly staff and clean facilities. It appears to be heavily used during peak season at Carlsbad Caverns."
Living Desert Zoo: Located about 20 minutes from most cabin rentals, this state park showcases regional wildlife and native plants. A visitor at Carlsbad RV Park & Campground mentioned, "We've stayed here twice now in the past year, and both times the service and the sites were great. There aren't a whole lot of other options close to the Caverns - there's a fairly new KOA and a state park campground, but they are very far to the north."
Rattlesnake Springs hike: Access this historic CCC-developed picnic area directly from Camp Washington Ranch. According to one guest, "You can walk from Camp Washington to Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area (part of the National Park), which was a neat adventure. The picnic area was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and you can visit the springs and see the irrigation system developed by the CCC."
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Many cabins provide easy access to both the caverns and surrounding natural areas. A camper at Camp Washington Ranch shared, "We stumbled upon Camp Washington Ranch when looking for someplace to stay near Carlsbad Caverns. It is an interesting property. While it was originally a ranch, it was purchased in the 1980s by a non-profit that serves adults with disabilities."
Water features in desert setting: Despite the arid environment, some properties offer surprising water access. A visitor noted, "We were surprised by the ponds and creeks running through the property (since its in the middle of a desert) but figured out that it receives excess water from the springs that service Carlsbad Caverns National Park."
Security features: Several cabin properties provide gated access for added safety. According to a review about Carlsbad RV Park & Campground, "The park has gated access and we felt very safe during our stay. There is a playground that was being bulldozed with the tent site; I am unsure if it is being upgraded or eliminated."
What you should know
Distance considerations: Despite names suggesting proximity, distances to attractions vary significantly. A visitor to Carlsbad KOA explained, "Make no mistake about the location, however. As so many KOAs are not in the town that bears their name, this KOA is no exception. It is not in the Carlsbad limits, it is 30 minutes north of Carlsbad and 1+ hour north of Carlsbad Caverns."
Oil industry presence: The region has active oil fields that can affect your experience. One camper observed, "The only negative to the location is the proximity to the oil fields and the smell that rolls in from the methane burnoffs. Obviously, the owners of the KOA can't do anything about that, but if you're sensitive to overwhelming sulphur smell, I'd recommend giving it a pass."
Limited grocery options: Most cabin areas have minimal food shopping. A visitor noted, "Bring groceries with you, as the campground store has a limited stock of necessities." Some properties deliver food to campsites with advance notice.
Tips for camping with families
Indoor diversions: Many cabin facilities offer game rooms when weather prevents outdoor activities. A Carlsbad KOA visitor mentioned, "Great play room (super nice staff- left the playroom open for us an additional hour due to downpour!) Accommodated our family as our reservation was deleted and we had nowhere else to go!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The cabin properties often have resident desert wildlife. One camper at Buds Place RV Park noted, "Nice bathroom, friendly staff. A few trees, but mostly desert. Need an exception to have a dog over 25 lbs. They also want to know what kind." Another visitor mentioned, "The great tailed grackels were courting and whistling, quail wandered through and rabbits romped around our cabin."
Late checkout options: Some properties offer extended checkout for a fee. A guest shared, "Also, only $10 to extend your check out until 2pm, so though we didn't need it, it was a nice option to have if we'd stayed at one of our sites longer than expected."
Tips from RVers
Check bathroom renovations: Several properties have recently updated facilities. One camper noted, "We stayed for 5 days in April 2022. They had just remodeled their bathrooms. Great job. 2 new toilets and 4 new showers (1 handicap) in mens and ladies restrooms. Clean and new. Hot water for days. And did I mention clean."
Site assistance: Staff often help guide RVers to their spots. A visitor observed, "Upon entering they have someone on a golf cart escort you to your site and I assume help park if you need it. We needed to change our reservations and they did so without an extra charge (they actually refunded us.)"
Oil worker schedules: Many RV parks house oil field workers, creating unique traffic patterns. According to one review, "The RV Park (like all of the RV Parks in Carlsbad) has overall become a residence for the oil field workers, so be prepared to try and sleep through the 4 a.m. traffic rush out of camp to oil field."
