Carlsbad Caverns National Park in November
November at Carlsbad Caverns National Park averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 42°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes November a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 42°F
- Average high
- 65°F
Range across the year: 34°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
- Daylight
- 10.3 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in November: about 26,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes November the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.8×) and the January low (0.5×).
November is our recommended month at Carlsbad Caverns: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 53°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% of annual visitors, choosing November instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 10.3 hours of daylight in November to explore — between the 9.9-hour midwinter low and the 14.1-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 460,474 recreation visits, up 16.8% from 394,121 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 24%, so November may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How November compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 75°F / 52°F | 1.0× Average | 70 Good |
| November | 65°F / 42°F | 0.8× Quiet | 63 Good |
| December | 57°F / 35°F | 0.7× Quiet | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at Carlsbad Caverns, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Carlsbad Caverns in November
The National Park Service tags 17 Carlsbad Caverns activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bat Flight Program · 0-60 minutes
- Night Sky Programs · 1-2 hours
- Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT) · 5-6 days · reservation required
- Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail · 30 minutes
- Juniper Ridge Trail · 3 hours
- Lower Rattlesnake Canyon Trail · 3 hours
- Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail · 90 minutes
- Walnut Canyon Desert Drive · 1 hour
Frequently Asked Questions
November averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 42°F at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
November is quiet at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 63/100. November is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. November sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical November sees about 26,000 recreation visits at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns in November
Booking a November trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live November availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in November.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.