1. Home
  2. Caves
  3. New Mexico

Caves in New Mexico

14 caves in New Mexico with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Sandoval County has the most (4). The darkest skies are at Cave 1: A Good Place for the Family Home (Bortle 1).

Top caves

Carlsbad Caverns National ParkCave
Carlsbad Caverns National ParkEddy County
Lechuguilla CaveCave
Lechuguilla CaveEddy County
Sandia CaveCave
Sandia CaveSandoval County
Bandera Volcano Ice CaveCave
Bandera Volcano Ice CaveCibola County
Fox CaveCave
Fox CaveLincoln County
Bat Cave and Xenolith CaveCave
Bat Cave and Xenolith CaveCibola County
Cave 1: A Good Place for the Family HomeCave
Cave 1: A Good Place for the Family HomeGrant County
Cave 2: Architecture Tells a StoryCave
Cave 2: Architecture Tells a StoryGrant County
Cave 3: How Old are the Dwellings?Cave
Cave 3: How Old are the Dwellings?Grant County
Cave 4-5: Discover the DetailsCave
Cave 4-5: Discover the DetailsGrant County
Cave Kiva Pueblo Loop Trail Stop 15Cave
Cave Kiva Pueblo Loop Trail Stop 15Sandoval County
Cave
Big Skylight CaveCibola County

Caves by county

All caves (14)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Carlsbad Caverns National ParkCarlsbad CavernsEddy County1,330 mCarlsbad2
Lechuguilla CaveCarlsbad CavernsEddy County—Carlsbad2
Sandia CaveSandoval County—Placitas5
Bandera Volcano Ice CaveCibola County—Milan2
Fox CaveLincoln County—Ruidoso Downs2
Bat Cave and Xenolith CaveEl MalpaisCibola County—Grants2
Cave 1: A Good Place for the Family HomeGila Cliff DwellingsGrant County—Arenas Valley1
Cave 2: Architecture Tells a StoryGila Cliff DwellingsGrant County—Arenas Valley1
Cave 3: How Old are the Dwellings?Gila Cliff DwellingsGrant County—Arenas Valley1
Cave 4-5: Discover the DetailsGila Cliff DwellingsGrant County—Arenas Valley1
Cave Kiva Pueblo Loop Trail Stop 15BandelierSandoval County—White Rock3
Big Skylight CaveEl MalpaisCibola County—Milan2
Ceremonial CaveBandelierSandoval County1,990 mWhite Rock4
Hot Springs CaveSandoval County1,989 mJemez Pueblo2

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph caves

Caves are lit artificially — show caves have fixed lighting, so a fast lens and high ISO beat flash, which flattens formations.

  • Many show caves restrict tripods on tours; ask in advance or bring a small beanbag.
  • Use manual focus with focus peaking in low light.
  • Never touch formations — skin oils stop their growth.
  • Follow White-nose Syndrome decontamination rules where posted to protect bats.

Season: Cave interiors stay at a constant temperature year-round; summer tours fill up, so book ahead.