Carlsbad Field Office Recreational Caves

The Carlsbad Field Office manages hundreds of caves and karst features. Many of them are appropriate for recreational caving. Some of the caves require permits due to sensitive resources or technical complexity. The majority of the permitted caves are limestone maze caves. Most are horizontal, but some require SRT skills in certain areas. Caves vary from large walking passages to very tight squeezes.

Permitted caves include Doc Brito, KFFC, Jurnigan #2, Little Manhole, Lost Cave, Sand, and Wind-Hicks. There are also popular non-permitted caves such as Parks Ranch Cave and caves in the Burton Flats area. To visit any cave, make sure to wear appropriate clothing and gear, including a helmet, at least one helmet-mounted light and two other sources of light, gloves, and knee pads. The minimum group number for a permitted cave is three people. The maximum amount varies by cave.

All cavers must follow current White-nose Syndrome (WNS) protocols. New Mexico's WNS status is currently intermediate. No gear from WNS positive states is permitted to be used in the Carlsbad Field Office Caves. Gear from other intermediate or WNS-free areas must be properly decontaminated before and after the cave trip. Contact the BLM Carlsbad Field Office for more details.