Dubbed “The Grand Canyon with a roof on it” by Will Rogers, Carlsbad Caverns National Park contains an underground world of wonder like no other place on Earth.
Guide to Carlsbad Caverns
Alert
Carlsbad Caverns now requires reservations to visit the caverns. These reservations are only available at through the National Park Service’s new corporate partner, and cannot be obtained at the park.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carved out of the limestone bedrock by millions of years of water erosion, the caves of Carlsbad Caverns are home to some of the most impressive and intricate formations in the world. Stalactites and stalagmites, formed by the slow drip of water over thousands of years, create a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere. Columns, draperies, and flowstone formations add to the beauty and grandeur of these subterranean chambers.
The star attraction of the park is the Carlsbad Cavern, a massive chamber measuring over 4000 feet in length, 255 feet in height, and 625 feet wide. Visitors can access the cavern via a steep, winding path that descends over 750 feet underground.
The journey is not for the faint of heart, but the reward at the end is well worth the effort. The Big Room, the largest chamber in the cavern, is a mesmerizing sight to behold, with towering columns and delicate formations that defy description.
But the Carlsbad Cavern is just one of over 119 caves within the park. While many of these caves are off-limits to the public, there are a great number of underground adventures available to visitors seeking a taste of the “underworld”
The King’s Palace, for example, boasts a stunning underground lake and impressive formations that leave visitors speechless. And the Lower Cave, with its intricate maze of narrow passageways and tunnels, provides an opportunity for visitors to experience the thrill of caving in a safe and controlled environment.
Where is Carlsbad Caverns?
Carlsbad Caverns lies below the spiky landscape of the Chihuahuan Desert, deep in the heart of southeastern New Mexico. This massive underground labyrinth is found near the northern terminus of the Guadalupe Mountains, which stretch southward into Texas, with Guadalupe Mountains National Park marking their south terminus.
Carved out of the limestone bedrock by millions of years of water erosion, the caves of Carlsbad Caverns are home to some of the most impressive and intricate formations in the world. Stalactites and stalagmites, formed by the slow drip of water over thousands of years, create a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere. Columns, draperies, and flowstone formations add to the beauty and grandeur of these subterranean chambers.
Exploring Carlsbad Caverns
Visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park have a variety of options for exploring these underground wonders. Ranger-led tours offer an in-depth look at the geology and history of the caves, while self-guided tours provide a more flexible and leisurely experience. The park also offers special tours, such as the Lower Cave Wild Tour, which takes visitors off the beaten path and into the more remote areas of the cave system.
But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, from mule deer and coyotes to bats and owls. The park’s rugged terrain also provides an opportunity for visitors to hit the trails, with more than 50 miles of trails that wind through more than 35,000 acres of designated wilderness. And with special events throughout the year, such as cave concerts and stargazing parties, there’s always something new to discover at Carlsbad Caverns.
Bat Flights at Carlsbad Caverns?
Perhaps the most unique feature of the park is the nightly bat flight. From late May to early October, thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from the caverns to hunt for insects. The sight of these tiny creatures spiraling out into the sky is truly one of the most unforgettable experiences that nature has to offer.
The history of Carlsbad Caverns National Park is as fascinating as the caves themselves. The park was established in 1923, after years of exploration and promotion by local cavers and conservationists. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped develop the park’s infrastructure, building trails, roads, and visitor facilities. Today, the park is managed by the National Park Service and remains a testament to the beauty and diversity of America’s natural landscapes.
For those interested in the science and geology behind the park’s formations, the park offers a unique opportunity to learn about the processes that created these incredible formations. The caves of Carlsbad Caverns are a living laboratory, with ongoing research projects exploring everything from microbial life to hydrology to geophysics.
But perhaps the most remarkable thing about Carlsbad Caverns National Park is its ability to inspire wonder and awe in visitors of all ages. The underground world of Carlsbad is like nothing else on Earth, a reminder that there is still so much to discover and explore. Whether you’re a seasoned caver or a first-time visitor, the park has something for everyone, and each visit offers a new and unforgettable experience.
This is a place where time stands still and the wonders of nature are on full display. From the awe-inspiring formations of the Carlsbad Cavern to the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape, this park is a testament to the power and majesty of the natural world.
Park Junkie Verdict
I first visited Carlsbad during my 1997 road trip from Yellowstone to the Everglades. Upon heading below the Earth’s surface, I was immediately blown away! Never had I imagined such a foreign landscape.
As a child, my parents took me to places like Mammoth Cave, and even a collection of smaller caves scattered around the Kentucky landscape, such as Carter Cave State Park. But these caves held nothing compared to the fantastic sculptures found at Carlsbad.
This place was absolutely unreal. As we strolled through the caverns, each bend in the trail unveiled a spectacular formation that was more impressive than the last. I giggled to myself with glee at how cool this place actually was, and that I could just cruise through it of my own accord. Over the years, I have visited the caverns at nearly every opportunity I had, registering at least 3 more visits.
My last visit was in January of 2021, during the mania of all that went down with the pandemic. At that time, the park was selling tickets on a limited basis to prevent crowds in the cave. Unfortunately, this led to the inevitable takeover of an advance reservation system, which is unlikely to be removed.
This means my visits to this fabulous underground wonderland will be no more. But at least I saw it when it was open to the free roaming traveler, and I’m happy to have enjoyed this place during those times. If you have yet to visit the cave, try to get a reservation, and go see it. While you’re there, take a minute to tell the National Park Service that you would like to be able to see the park, without a reservation, which is your right, as this after all, public land.
It is true that other caves may be longer or deeper, but no other cave system in our national park system holds the grandeur of Carlsbad. The rooms of these caverns display an unrivaled number of speleothems that are quite simply incredible. Features here stand in suspended animation, as if waiting your visit…
See ya there…
Guide to Carlsbad Caverns
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