New Mexico park closures & advisories

National Park Service

The Tsankawi Unit of Bandelier will be closed from Friday, September 18 to Wednesday, September 23rd, for staging and moving of materials for a trails and visitor improvement project. Materials for this project will be staged in the parking area. A helicopter will be onsite to move the material from the parking lot to…

Updated Sep 15, 2026

National Park Service

The Volcano top access is closed to all RVs, buses, attached pull trailers, or any other vehicle over 26 feet in length due to public safety concerns and limited parking.  Trailer drop-off and RV/bus parking are available at the visitor center.

Updated Nov 18, 2025

National Park Service

The El Calderon Trail and parking area are closed from August 2025 through September 2026 for a major improvement project. NPS Road 100 will remain open for local traffic only, and the Continental Divide Trail will remain open for CDT thru-hikers.

Updated Aug 5, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

A portion of the Headland Trail is closed due to ongoing restoration work. Access to the trail will now close at 2:30 pm daily. All hikers must be off the trails by 4:45 pm.

Updated Jul 24, 2026

National Park Service

Dunes Drive is open. A safety corridor is in effect between mile marker 3 and 5.5 along Dunes Drive. Visitors may drive but not stop or exit their vehicle in this area.

Updated Jan 27, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Pets are not allowed inside the visitor center at Aztec Ruins or on the trail through the Aztec West Great House. Pets are welcome in the parking lot, the picnic area, and along the Old Spanish Trail. Service animals are the only exception. Emotional support, therapy, and companion animals are not considered service an…

Updated Jan 4, 2026

National Park Service

Bandelier is in a remote location, with cell service in the canyon limited to Verizon 4G only. Services like Uber and Lyft will bring you here, but there may be no way to contact a ride out. Please plan your pickup before being dropped off at Bandelier.

Updated Dec 2, 2023

National Park Service

Numerous visitors have been routed to remote trailheads and out-of-the-way roads trying to use GPS to reach the main park area or shuttle stop.

Updated Dec 2, 2023Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Capulin Volcano only accepts credit/debit cards for entrance fees. Our cooperating association Park Store accepts cash, credit/debit cards, and checks. There are limited cash only entrance passes available through our cooperating association Park Store.

Updated Nov 13, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Capulin Volcano Highway is now a roadway shared by multiple users that include vehicles, hikers, bikers, walkers and runners. Dogs on a minimum 6-foot leash are also allowed on the roadway. Be watchful of others that are present on the highway. Follow the new traffic flow signs and keep vehicle and bicycle speeds at th…

Updated Jul 24, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Fire restrictions have been lifted at Carlsbad Caverns which means that fires such as charcoal fires in grills and the use of camp stoves or portable grills will be allowed. Igniting and maintaining an open fire must be done with materials that are commonly used for warmth and food preparations such as natural firewood…

Updated Nov 18, 2025

National Park Service

For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction are recommended. Flip flops, sandals, and some walking shoes have little or no traction and increase the possibility of slips, trips, and falls. Watch your step and use the handrails when necessary.

Updated Sep 19, 2018

National Park Service

Reservations are highly recommended and can be purchased by clicking "more" or calling 877-444-6777. Reservations only select the entry time. Upon arrival at the visitor center, an entrance pass must be purchased.

Updated Apr 5, 2024Official notice ↗

National Park Service

A disease known as White-Nose Syndrome is killing bats in North America. To prevent it from spreading to our bats, do not wear shoes, clothing, or bring any gear into any cave at Carlsbad Caverns National Park that were in another cave.

Updated Apr 9, 2024Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Some areas of the park including Walnut Canyon Desert Drive and some trails remain closed after extensive flood damage. The main park road to the visitor center and cavern is open.

Updated Mar 5, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Chaco phone lines have been down since 9/17 in the afternoon. We are currently unable to receive or make calls at this time. We do not know when our phone lines will be restored.

Updated Sep 18, 2026

National Park Service

Conditions of county and tribal roads leading to the park have deteriorated due to recent storms. The south road (Hwy 57) is currently impassable; the north road (CR 7950) is muddy and the wash is flowing high & fast - travel is highly discouraged at this time. Conditions may change rapidly - Chaco is under a flood wat…

Updated Sep 18, 2026

National Park Service

NPS 300 to Big Tubes has not been evaluated since the most recent thunderstorms. A high clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. The road past Big Tubes is very rough and only accessible to high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Updated Sep 14, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Due to a water pipe burst, the visitor center main restrooms and drinking fountain are temporarily out of order and unavailable. Temporary restrooms, hand washing stations and free bottled water are available to visitors.

Updated Sep 18, 2026

National Park Service

The New Mexico Department of Transportation updates its map of road advisories regularly. Visitors are encouraged to look for any possible road advisories along their route of travel beforehand.

Updated Nov 6, 2024Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Pack it in, pack it out! There are no trash services in or around the monument. All food & trash must be secured inside a vehicle. Ravens routinely open zipped bags & tear into trash bags left outside or in the bed of a truck.

Updated Mar 28, 2025

National Park Service

Pets are not allowed onto the Gila Cliff Dwelling Trail. Kennels are available at the Trailhead on a First Come First Serve basis and are available to those that are going on the Cliff Dwelling Trail not the Wilderness trails.

Updated Aug 24, 2025

National Park Service

There is NO water at the scorpion campgrounds and the trailhead for the cliff dwellings. Water is available at the Visitor Center, Woody's corral and TJ's corral.

Updated Sep 25, 2025

National Park Service

Taxi and ride-share services are often not available in Pecos. Even if services like Uber and Lyft will bring you here, it can be very difficult to secure a ride out. Please ensure you have a departure plan in place before being dropped off at Pecos.

Updated Dec 23, 2025

National Park Service

This is an urban park. Don't hide valuables inside your car. Carry items with you on hike. Lock your vehicle and set car alarm. Report suspicious persons loitering/peeking in cars. Call 928-638-7805

Updated Sep 29, 2025

National Park Service

DO NOT drop off your passengers at the visitor center. No trail access. Visitors must be driven to a trail system from the visitor center. If passengers want to go to the visitor center, WAIT FOR THEM in the parking lot until they come back out.

Updated Sep 5, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Bicycles are ONLY allowed at the following locations: 1 - On the Boca Negra Canyon paved multiuse path; bicycles must remain on the paved bike path. 2 - On the crusher fine trail that winds in and out of the park around the mesa top above Boca Negra.

Updated Dec 3, 2019

National Park Service

Valles Caldera's backcountry road system opens to vehicles on Friday, May 15, 2026. Forty vehicles passes will be issued per day through November 15, when the route closes for the 2026 season. Passes may be reserved up to 3 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Any remaining daily passes will be available on a first com…

Updated May 15, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

The VC09/South Valle Toledo/Posos Trail from the Valle Toledo parking area to the eastern park boundary is closed for restoration. The NPS is working on a trail reroute and will provide details as soon as possible.

Updated Nov 20, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.

Updated Aug 22, 2024

National Park Service

Due to the active safety corridor, the Interdune Boardwalk is closed. Please visit the park visitor center to learn about other options during your visit.

Updated Jul 26, 2024

National Park Service

From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs military testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please plan your visit around upcoming military tests.

Updated Jan 2, 2024Official notice ↗

National Park Service

There is limited space for parking for recreational vehicles and trailers in the parking lot directly in front (south) of the visitor center. RVs are asked to not park in the lot behind the visitor center. There is no parking space for tractor trailers.

Updated Feb 5, 2019