Updated October 2026
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Weather by Month
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is warmest in June, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 92°F and a low of 66°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 56°F and an average low of 34°F. September is the wettest month, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in December, at about 2 inches.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 6.9 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Carlsbad Caverns National Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jun
92°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
34°F avg low
Wettest month
Sep
2.9 in avg
Snowiest month
Dec
2.0 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.1 h of daylight
Average weather at Carlsbad Caverns by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56°F | 34°F | 0.3 in | 0.4 in | 10.1 h |
| February | 61°F | 37°F | 0.4 in | 0.9 in | 10.9 h |
| March | 68°F | 43°F | 0.6 in | 0.0 in | 11.8 h |
| April | 76°F | 49°F | 0.5 in | 0.0 in | 12.8 h |
| May | 84°F | 58°F | 1.3 in | 0.0 in | 13.6 h |
| June | 92°F | 66°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in | 14.1 h |
| July | 91°F | 68°F | 2.2 in | 0.0 in | 13.9 h |
| August | 90°F | 66°F | 2.0 in | 0.0 in | 13.2 h |
| September | 83°F | 60°F | 2.9 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 75°F | 52°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in | 11.2 h |
| November | 65°F | 42°F | 0.7 in | 0.2 in | 10.3 h |
| December | 57°F | 35°F | 0.6 in | 2.0 in | 9.9 h |
| Year total | 13.9 in | 3.5 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00291480, 6.9 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Carlsbad Caverns is at that time of year.
Carlsbad Caverns weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 56°F in January, between 57°F in December and 61°F in February, with average lows between 34°F and 37°F. Together the three months average 1.3 inches of precipitation, about 9% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 3.3 inches for the season, most of it in December. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.9 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 68°F in March to 84°F in May, with average lows between 43°F and 58°F. Together the three months average 2.4 inches of precipitation, about 17% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.8 hours in March to 13.6 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs hold near 91°F in all three months, with average lows near 67°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in all three months. Together the three months average 5.4 inches of precipitation, about 39% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.1 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 83°F in September to 65°F in November, with average lows between 42°F and 60°F. Together the three months average 4.8 inches of precipitation, about 35% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.2 inches for the season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.3 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in southeast New Mexico. Summers are hot with temperatures between 90°F (32°C) and low 100s °F (38°C). Windy conditions and mild temperatures are common in early spring (March-May) with frequent rain in early fall (August-September). This part of the country also sees cold temperatures in the winter with occasional snow and icy conditions. Most days, the park is enveloped by a gorgeous blue sky with very few clouds, 278 sunny days a year!
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Carlsbad Caverns
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 32.14°N, 104.55°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Carlsbad Caverns National Park →
Weather and crowds together
June, the warmest month, sees about 1.4× the visitors of the park's average month. July is the busiest month of the year and January the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns.
Where to stay near Carlsbad Caverns
Picked a month for Carlsbad Caverns National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Carlsbad Caverns
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Carlsbad Caverns?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Carlsbad Caverns by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
June is the warmest month at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, with an average high of 92°F and an average low of 66°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 6.9 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, with an average low of 34°F and an average high of 56°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
September is the wettest month, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation. January is the driest, at about 0.3 inches. The station records about 13.9 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 6.9 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 3.5 inches of snow a year. December is the snowiest month, at about 2 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 4 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
25 mi away · warmest in June (88°F)
113 mi away · warmest in June (97°F)
113 mi away · warmest in June (92°F)
114 mi away · warmest in June (97°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00291480), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.