Lechuguilla Cave
Lechuguilla Cave is a cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, United States, known for its unusual geology, rare formations, and pristine condition.
A cave, 8 mi west of Whites City
Summers are hot
June, July and August highs run 94–95°, and about 121 days a year reach 90°. When to go ↓
Whites City is the nearest base
Whites City is 8 miles east, with 5 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: Mar, Apr and Oct
March, April and October are the mild months, with highs of 71–79°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Typical highs and lows in Whites City. Green months are the mild ones.
Lechuguilla Cave
Lechuguilla Cave is a cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, United States, known for its unusual geology, rare formations, and pristine condition. At 152.11 miles (244.80 km), it is the ninth-longest explored cave in the world. Its measured depth of 1,588.6 feet (484.2 m) makes it the seventh-deepest cave in the United States.
The cave is named for the canyon through which it is entered, which is named for Agave lechuguilla, a species of plant found there. Access to the cave is limited to approved scientific researchers, survey and exploration teams, and National Park Service management-related trips.
- Type
- Cave
- Wikipedia readers
- 27K a year
Where to stay near Lechuguilla Cave
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are Carlsbad (57) and Whites City (5).
- 1Carlsbad Caverns
- 2Guadalupe Peak
- 3Guadalupe Mountains
- 4Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- 5Bat Flight Amphitheater
Carlsbad
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
32,524 people
21 mi northeast of Lechuguilla Cave
Compare 4 towns
| Town | From Lechuguilla Cave | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | 21 mi northeast | 30 min | 57 25 hotels · 9 motels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 2 lodges & cabins · 1 campground · 18 RV parks | 32,524 | $200K | D |
| Whites City | 8 mi east | 10 min | 5 3 hotels · 1 campground · 1 RV park | — | — | — |
| Loving | 25 mi east | 35 min | 2 1 hotel · 1 RV park | 1,391 | $172K | — |
| La Huerta | 24 mi northeast | 35 min | 1 1 RV park | 1,288 | $345K | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near Lechuguilla Cave
Other well-known places within 30 miles. Numbered ones are on the map above.
14 mi National ParkCarlsbad Caverns National Park411K visitors a year
229 mi MountainGuadalupe Peak
328 mi National ParkGuadalupe Mountains National Park206K visitors a year
422 mi GardenLiving Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
54 mi TheatreBat Flight AmphitheaterPhoto credits
Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Eric Guinther, User:Marshman, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Guadalupe Peak: Zereshk, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Leaflet, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park: J Dykstra, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Bat Flight Amphitheater: Daniel Mayer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Visiting Lechuguilla Cave
What town is Lechuguilla Cave near?
Whites City, NM, about 8 miles east.
When is the best time to visit Lechuguilla Cave?
March, April and October, with highs of 71–79°.
What is the closest airport to Lechuguilla Cave?
Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM), about 17 miles away. The nearest big hub is El Paso (ELP), about 113 miles.
Where should I stay near Lechuguilla Cave?
Carlsbad (21 mi, 57 places to stay) and Whites City (8 mi, 5 places to stay).
Tips from people in Whites City
No tips yet. Ask, or answer, in Whites City’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.