Where to stay when visiting Carlsbad Caverns?
 

Never been there...wondering if there's lodging there...in the town of Carlsbad...or ???

Thanks!

PS-We have a 4yr old and an 8-month old....will be travelling from Santa Fe.

We visited Carlsbad last May and stayed at the Best Western that's closest to the park. The rooms were big and clean, and there was a swimming pool with slides and things for the kids. H owever, the food at the restaurant was AWFUL. A free breakfast comes with the room, and not one of the three of us ate it -- it just looked so bad. They even managed to screw up a cheeseburger. So, if you stay there, bring your own food.

There are quite a few places to stay in the town of Carlsbad -- all the usual chains. However, I think it's about 15 to 20 miles from the park. So, if you stay there, your drive will be longer.
Tough choice.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Carlsbad . . it's a 20 - 25 minute drive each way, but we did not mind it. There were several other Motels in Carlsbad as well . .

Rich

Stay in Carlsbad. As others have said, all the chains are there, and there are parks and things your kids will enjoy. We had an inexpensive, delicious breakfast at a place called Happy's on National Parks Highway.

The fastest route is 285, but you might enjoy taking a trip to Capitan on your way there or back. Your 4yo might like the Smokey the Bear state park.

We enjoyed the King's Palace tour, but they turn off the lights midway through; if no one in your family is bothered by the dark, it's worth going. Reserve your tickets in advance.

Lee Ann

We stayed once at the Stephens --older place but larger rooms. Last time we stayed at the Best Western near the caverns, which was convenient since we stayed late to see the bat flight. It was OK but the pool opens kind of late in the morning. Our breakfast experience wasn't that bad.

Be prepared to carry your 4-year-old at least some of the way through the caverns. I don't believe strollers are allowed. My 3-year-old nearly broke my back one year!

flagging

Motel Stevens is really the nicest place to stay. It is in Carlsbad and at least a 20 minute drive to the Caverns but it is the only hotel that treats tourists as if they might actually come back. They have a pool and their Sunday buffet is mobbed and commendable. There is a lunch place downtown called the River Cafe that is excellent but I don't think it's open for dinner, nor do I know about breakfast. The Cortez or Lucy's are both good places for Mexican food.