The park is open every day except for December 25. Major airlines serve Albuquerque, El Paso, Lubbock, and Midland, Texas. CAR - Rental cars and taxi service are available from the airport at Carlsbad. The weather in southern New Mexico can change quickly at any time of the year.
Winter is often cold and dry with rare snow and ice storms.
Spring is extremely windy. Summer is hot and violent lightening storms are not uncommon in the evenings. Fall is usually mild. A light jacket or sweater, and comfortable shoes with rubber soles for good traction are appropriate year-round. An outdoor nature trail, the bat flight amphitheater, and picnic sites near the visitor center and at Rattlesnake Springs are also fully-accessible.