Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company

J Z

2024-04

Horrible kennel experience. I don’t think I’ve ever run into a ruder more angry person than the young lady working in the gift shop. It was unprovoked and so unnecessarily hostile that I could quite possibly gaslight myself into thinking it didn’t happen?!? Never able to board our dog and frankly wouldn’t have left her with them anyways after that experience. They also had a piece of dog crate outside the kennel entrance that was covered in feces. Apparently the situation with the woman in the gift shop is well known as per the park rangers. They told me they have had lots of issues and to please fill out a survey. Who ever runs this place needs to look into this. If the woman at the gift shop reads these reviews ….you are too young to be such an angry person. I hope you find peace and settle whatever is making you so angry/upset.Anyway - make other arrangements for your dog so you can enjoy the park as a family.

Adrienne Lao

2024-03

Received the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced when I wanted to purchase my item on 2/18/24 around 10:30am. I walked to the counter closest to the entrance to the gift shop and the employee working there gave me the stink eye and silent treatment when I asked to pay. (“Hi can I purchase this”) She begrudgingly took my item, scanned it and sarcastically waved her hand at the credit card prompt for me to pay. When my card didn’t immediately go through, she did it again. After the payment went through, she just grabbed the receipt and slid it on the counter to me, like she was afraid to even touch me when handing the receipt over. I said thank you and she just glared at me until I walked away. I don’t know if the cause of her behavior was race motivated or if she was just having a bad day (she had long black hair and 1 AirPod in … I don’t think that affected her ability to hear me) but if you’re getting paid to work in customer service I think it’s part of your job to be friendly to everyone. I previously saw her help another customer and her demeanor was okay.I would recommend the bookshop instead where you can get your national park passport stamped. They were so friendly and even answered some of our questions about the park. The bookshop isn’t as large but it was definitely a more pleasant experience than this one.

Bonnie Sanders

2023-05

Beautiful place. It's a walking tour. Floors are wide enough and well-maintained. The cave is mostly dry, so there is not much trouble with water on the floor. There is an elevator at the end to bring you back up. Amazing formations to see. There are two gift shops and a snack bar in the building that houses the entrance. We enjoyed it very much.

Sandra Badillo

2022-05

We loved it. We went one way, and then back by elevator. It was hard enough going down very steep walkways. Imagine going up. It's very beautiful.

Tiffany Blair

2023-07

The gift shop had a great selection of items to choose from, and there was a little café within.

John T.L Hulstine

2020-05

There are so many awesome gifts within the store! I bought a cyrstal paper weight and my mom bought jewelry for my sister. Fair warning, the prices on the merchandise can be a little high but many of the gifts are well worth the cost. The store workers are also very polite and I was able to get done with my shopping quickly!

Jordan Flis

2023-11

Make sure you go to the official visitor center gift shop for quality NPS souvenirs for less money (park patch was $7.99 in the gift shop vs $5.99 in the visitor center store). This gift shop is definitely more of a tourist trap.We were happy to hear they offered kennels for your dog while doing the cave tour, but the girl working the kennel today was incredibly unfriendly and make me uneasy about leaving my dog there.

Julie Lechner

2023-05

There a two separate gift shops with such a great selection of things from mugs, stickers, stuffed animals, books, stamps, decor, artwork, ornaments, handmade ceramics and more!

Nick Spence

2024-03

Drove over 9 hours, saw nothing posters out cavern entry at 2:30pm, was at the desk 2:31pm and they wouldn’t even let me run to join the last group. Literally missing this experience by a single minute could not believe it.

Henry Thiessen

2023-05

It's really fun going there, I'd recommend it to anyone. Been there about 5 times and still it doesn't fail to impress you.

Chelsea D'Haenens

2021-05

These caverns are incredible. Must stop! Took 3 kids (2, 4 and 6). A lot of walking but they did it fine. The 2 year old was carried a lot. A backpack would've been nice for him.

Emily Yolo

2024-02

Nice selection of postcards and a wide variety of magnets. The magnets are kinda expensive though.

Devin Fantasia

2022-05

Fun little gift shop with many rock based items, Native American items and Carlsbad memorabilia. The restaurant was not super appealing.

C C

2017-05

There is an upper and lower level that both have a gift shop and a restaurant, with the lower being much smaller on both accounts. In terms of the Trading Post upstairs, the gift shop was awesome, but the restaurant was nothing spectacular. The food was very subpar and extremely expensive for what you get. If you visit, pack a picnic instead.

Alejandro Garza

2024-04

Very bad service !! Very dirty place

Jenna March

2023-05

Such a fantastic selection of souvenirs for everyone in the family. Clothing prices seemed steep, but the designs were all great. This is one of the largest gift stores in a National Park that we have ever visited

Jacob Kizer

2023-05

Food was reasonably priced for a national park and the gift shop had a really good selection.

Mary

2022-05

Great store, clean and some good souvenirs.The food is definitely "tourist priced" but it's the only place to eat for a good way. We got the recommended stew and brisket like sandwich and they were both good. We were also really hungry after our hike into the caverns so it might have tasted so great because of that.

G L Parker

2023-05

A little something for everyone.... Unique gifts and souvenirs for the youngest to the oldest to remember your cavern experience. A little expensive... But the sales clerk told me about the clearance section was nice. It's fun to look even if you don't buy!

Jeremiah

2023-07

One person making the food during busy lunch time. Took forever and quality was horrible. If you look at the photos, you can see it is all pre-made grossness. Do yourself a favor and bring your wn picnic lunch

NaVy LaDy75

2021-05

Great variety of items and a large space for it all. Love love the jewelry, handmade Native American sterling silver and natural stones/gems! It will be nice to have the restaurant fully functioning if/when the restrictions start to lift.

Nancy Dubea

2021-05

Absolutely beautiful. Must see!

Jason Detmer

2023-05

Nice place with lots of souvenirs. A bit over priced but that's expected in a National Park gift store.They also have pet sitting. It isn't great, just a cage. However it was clean, cool, and secure.

Wolf Smith

2022-05

Plenty of neat souvenirs here for sale from apparel to hats to posters and art.There is also a bookstore with plenty of titles available on the caverns and other natural wonders.Look for jewelry and home decor items, plus small gifts and learning toys.There's a lot here to commemorate your trip to the caverns or tickle the love of learning for young folks.

Jaden Zinn

2022-05

A big perk is that people 16 or below get free access to the caves, which are absolutely gorgeous. It's well worth it, even if you come with a big party of people. The gift shop and food is about as expensive as you'd expect due to its convenience. There are a few decently priced plushes that are pretty nice for kids. I'd advice anyone who goes into the caves to walk all the way down and take your time for the full experience. Rushing it and treating it like a regular hike won't due the experience justice.

ruben yanez

2022-05

Not like I remembered it when I was young but still nice to go spelunking

kevin shea

2023-05

Fun to take the kids as long as they can walk it. Interesting. Hreat photo opportunities. Fun learning experience. Free entry for veterans and military. Rangers and staff were helpful and friendly.

Diane Saenz

2023-05

They have alot of neat stuff, of course it's pricey, but I did expect that, it's always expensive to get stuff at the souvenir shops.

Chris Towner

2021-05

This is probably the best gift shop we have seen in any national park visitor center. Also, 40% off everything in the store due to covid-19. Highly recommend stopping in if gift shops are your thing.

Rebecca Scritchfield

2019-05

We had a blast here. It was especially nice that they had kennels to keep the dogs happy and comfortable while we explored the caverns.The audio tour was also really neat. Definitely worth getting.