- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
National Park
The best cabins in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM
99% (88)
Stay above ground in a comfortable cabin rental before diving into cave adventures at Carlsbad Caverns.
The best cabins in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM
Campfire Adventure Ranch
1. Campfire Adventure Ranch
100%
(4)
32mi from Carlsbad Caverns National Park · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Escape to the wide-open beauty of West Texas at Campfire Adventure Ranch, located just outside Dell City and right next door to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Nestled in the heart of the desert wilderness, the ranch offers guests a front-row seat to the towering Guadalupe Peak—the highest point in Texas—and panoramic views that stretch endlessly across the Chihuahuan Desert.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat under star-filled skies or a basecamp for adventure, Campfire Adventure Ranch delivers the perfect balance of rustic charm and natural wonder. Spend your days hiking scenic trails, exploring nearby Salt Basin Dunes, or simply relaxing with a campfire as the sun sets over the mountains.
With its remote setting, vast landscapes, and unmatched proximity to one of America’s most breathtaking national parks, Campfire Adventure Ranch isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a destination where Texas wilderness and true adventure meet.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$28
/ night
Basecamp Guadalupe
2. Basecamp Guadalupe
39mi from Carlsbad Caverns National Park · 3 sites
Basecamp Guadalupe at Rancho Pancho is a private 180-acre desert property defined by open space, native yucca, roaming wildlife, and a rare sense of quiet. This is classic West Texas desert, wide horizons, long sightlines, and a stillness that becomes part of the experience.
Located near the base of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the property is designed as a true basecamp for outdoor exploration. Guests typically spend their days hiking nearby trails, exploring the land on foot, or visiting surrounding natural highlights, then return in the evening to rest, reset, and enjoy the desert at a slower pace.
The land itself invites simple, self-guided activities:
Walking the property and observing native desert plants
Watching light and shadow move across the landscape
Sitting outside at sunset and under the stars
At night, the absence of light pollution reveals exceptionally dark skies, making stargazing a central part of the stay. Evenings are quiet and expansive, defined by wind through yucca, distant wildlife movement, and long stretches of stillness.
Stays at Basecamp Guadalupe
Basecamp Guadalupe offers a small collection of thoughtfully placed accommodations, including a cabin and RV stays. Each accommodation is described individually, but they share a common philosophy:
Privacy and space over density
Comfort without excess
Independence rather than full service
Guests experience the desert without owning land, building infrastructure, or maintaining an RV or cabin. They simply arrive, settle in, and live lightly on the land.
While the setting is remote, each stay includes essential comforts appropriate to its location, allowing guests to experience the desert without sacrificing rest, warmth, or basic convenience.
What to Expect
This is a quiet, remote property, best suited for guests who value:
Silence over stimulation
Open space over crowds
Experience over excess
Self-guided days and restful nights
There are no crowds, no shared indoor facilities, and no scheduled activities. The experience is intentionally simple and independent, allowing guests to shape their time around nature, weather, and personal rhythm.
Basecamp Guadalupe is ideal for guests who want to hike, stargaze, write, think, disconnect, or simply exist in quiet.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$135
/ night
More Travel Less Talk
3. More Travel Less Talk
39mi from Carlsbad Caverns National Park · 6 sites
Welcome to More Travel Less Talk—the closest privately owned campground to Guadalupe National Park! Just 25 minutes from the park entrance, our peaceful desert property is the perfect basecamp for your adventure.
Stay in one of our 5 off-grid yurts for a true back-to-nature experience, or enjoy the comfort of 4 cozy cabins with power, heat, and AC. No matter your style, you’ll find everything you need for a memorable stay: hot showers, safe fire pits (usable even during fire bans), grills, and fresh drinking water.
Whether you’re here to hike the rugged trails, explore desert landscapes, or simply relax under a star-filled sky, More Travel Less Talk welcomes you to unwind and recharge.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$60
/ night
99% (88)
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Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
E
Elizabeth
2 weeks ago
4 nights at Campfire Adventure Ranch
I enjoyed 4 nights in Shumard Cabin - the location is perfect for those who prefer to be in the tranquil beauty of nature. Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets every day. It is an easy drive to both Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad Caverns. Highly recommend!
See more 99%
88 ratings · 67 reviews
Recommends
· January 2026
Geology classroom
Great geological formations.
A
Aquiles E.
3 reviews
Recommends
· January 2026
Remote off-grid camping
We found a remote spot to camp Northwest of the park. There are plenty of spots for various size rigs.
Derek W.
6 reviews
Recommends
· December 2025
Amazing
S
Stewart W.
13 reviews
Recommends
· December 2025
Really well kept!! Super pretty here. Rangers are really kind and helpful. I cannot recommend enough to take the natural entrance if you are able to. Also there are bathrooms on the bottom level of the caverns near The Big Room:)
J
Jessica S.
4 reviews
Recommends
· November 2025
Spectacular
Spectacular walk through the Big Room of the Cavern. We took the self guided tour using the elevator just today - 30 November 2025. There was plenty to Oooh and Ahhhh about. Path was very smooth and we had it almost to ourselves. It was worth the trip. As it was so chilly , we did not seek out any of the nearby hikes but there were many. We could easily spend several days here.
K
Karen R.
7 reviews
Recommends
· November 2025
Go
M
Mike T.
15 reviews
Recommends
· November 2025
Loved the bats
G
Grace A.
14 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
Great park I've been 3 times. Going to take my daughter when she's a bit old.
R
Rachel W.
2 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
Fascinating cave/national park. We visited during the month of February and although it was cold and rainy, the cave, of course, was dry and comfortable. Definitely not a weather dependent adventure. We stayed at an Rv park. Not our favorite way to camp, but it was located well
James J.
12 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
Get a reservation and don't risk it! We saw people arrive at 2:31pm, with the last entry at 2:30pm, and they weren't allowed in. Take your time down there. Bring plain water with you, and wear comfortable shoes.
A
Andres A.
17 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
Wow what can I say. So unique. But for me it’s the woods 😁
K
Kim B.
14 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
This is an epic visit! Be prepared for sore legs. 🤣
J
J V.
19 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Time management
Plan a few hours if you are hiking down. Otherwise, the elevator is a great alternative.
Brian M.
8 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Super cool caves they were so big and so many different sites to see within
C
Chelsea O.
13 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
More like Carlsbaddie
S
Shelby R.
19 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
I plan to go again for the sunset and the bats, but even in the morning this was amazing!
K
Ketta F.
26 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Impressive to see in person. Liked that we could explore at our own pace.
Jessica D.
33 reviews
Recommends
· August 2025
Go at dusk to see all the bats, it can get pretty crowded with tours
T
Tristen B.
20 reviews
Recommends
· August 2025
Cool cave system. Didn’t see any bats.
R
Ryan B.
17 reviews
Recommends
· August 2025
Xylophone
J
Joseph H.
42 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Plan ahead! This park is busy and tours sell out
I recommend you buy your tour pass ahead of time as this National Park gets busy and cave tours can sell out! I visited the caves in March of 2023 and the caves were packed. I boondocked on BLM land near the park boundary the night before my early morning tour. (Use Hipcamp’s map layers to find BLM/NPS bounds for a free place to camp)
Julian B.
180 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
The caverns are spectacular and a worthwhile trip. Remember to bring a jacket because it is chilly down there even when it’s hot on the surface. It’s a great escape from the heat.
Lori Jean R.
23 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
The cave is amazing. The only thing you can do is explore in awe of all the amazing formations within the cave. If you were ever out that way, it is a must see.
J
Joshua W.
12 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Great visit. Seeing the bats come out was cool.
C
Charles S.
22 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Loved our visit!
Amanda C.
36 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Absolutely incredible. A must for anyone visiting the national parks
Mark F.
19 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Awesome place
A
A A.
19 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Carlsbad Caverns and Bat Viewing
The hike into the cave was a lot longer than expected but overall was a great experience. They offer an elevator ride to get to the bottom for those that don’t want to/can’t hike their way there and many shortcuts. It was really neat being that deep into a cave and seeing what goes on under the surface. Highly recommend visiting and seeing the bats exit or enter the cave during sunset or sunrise hours.
D
Daivey L.
5 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Hot but nice
It was so hot out but the cave was nice and cool. It was a nice walk with so many formations.
M
Murphy A.
10 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Carlsbad Caverns were so cool and it was such a fun trip for my little family. The kiddos were troopers and our three year old ALMOST walked the whole way.
April C.
2 reviews