There are many reasons why Carlsbad Caverns National Park is popular to visit. The park has a long and rich history, dating back to the early 1900s when it was first discovered. The caverns are also a unique geological formation, and offer visitors a chance to see something truly unique.
Annual visitation to Carlsbad Caverns National Park has fluctuated in recent years, but overall, the trend has been positive. In 1992, the park had the most visitors of any year in the past decade, with over 349,000 people coming to explore the caverns. However, visitation dipped in 2020 due to the pandemic, with only around 454,000 people visiting the park. Still, this is a significant increase from the previous year, and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
Pinnacles National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two other National Parks with similar visitor numbers to Carlsbad Caverns. Both parks are popular for their unique geology and history, and offer visitors a chance to experience something truly special.
Annual Visitor Counts for Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a popular tourist destination for a variety of reasons. The Caverns themselves are an amazing natural wonder, and the Park offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. The Park is also conveniently located near a major city, making it easy for people to get to.
The Carlsbad Caverns National Park had the most visitors of any year in 1992, with a total of 349.2 thousand visitors. The temporary decrease in annual visits in 2020 was due to the Park being shut down at the start of the global pandemic. The expected total count of visitors in 2022 will be approximately 454.2 thousand visitors. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the most popular National Parks, with similar annual visitation numbers to Pinnacles National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park.
| Year | Count of Visitors |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 349,244 |
| 2020 | 183,835 |
| 2019 | 440,691 |
| 2018 | 465,912 |
| 2017 | 520,026 |
| 2016 | 466,773 |
| 2015 | 445,720 |
| 2014 | 397,309 |
| 2013 | 388,566 |
| 2012 | 381,058 |
| 2011 | 365,000 |
| 2010 | 428,524 |
| 2009 | 432,639 |
| 2008 | 400,381 |
| 2007 | 409,560 |
| 2006 | 407,367 |
| 2005 | 413,786 |
| 2004 | 419,599 |
| 2003 | 457,631 |
| 2002 | 476,259 |
| 2001 | 455,621 |
| 2000 | 469,303 |
| 1999 | 514,418 |
| 1998 | 522,076 |
| 1997 | 540,797 |
| 1996 | 557,217 |
| 1995 | 588,609 |
| 1994 | 617,087 |
| 1993 | 687,161 |
| 1992 | 688,742 |
How many people visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park last year?
In 2021 there was a total of 349.2 thousand visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.