This is one of the coolest cave systems in the world! It’s not the longest, or the deepest, but it an amazing underground wonderland of features that cannot even be verbally described. A day or two filled with activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park will satisfy the most discerning of visitors.
Here are some of Park Junkie’s favorite activities in Carlsbad Caverns.
Guide to Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in southeastern New Mexico, is a geological wonder and a popular destination for tourists and nature lovers alike. The park is home to over 119 caves, including the world-renowned Carlsbad Cavern, which is a stunning natural wonder that attracts thousands of visitors each year. In addition to exploring the caverns, there are several activities and tours available that allow visitors to experience the park in a unique and exciting way.
Self Guided Tour
One of the most popular activities at Carlsbad Caverns is the self-guided tour of the Big Room. The Big Room is the largest single cave chamber in North America, and it is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the park.
The Big Room can be accessed either by an elevator that drops visitors some 750′ below the Earth’s surface, into an unreal world of stalactites and stalagmites. The self-guided tour takes visitors on a 1.25-mile loop through the chamber, allowing them to marvel at the stunning rock formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies. The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete, and visitors can move at their own pace, taking as much time as they need to explore the Big Room.
A more adventurous option is to head into the depths of the caverns from the Natural Entrance, following the switchbacks into the darkness and descending along the paved trail which leads nearly 2 miles into the Big Room, over which the trail drops some 750′. A bonus on this one is, that you can opt for a quick and painless elevator ride back to the top, or you can be a real crusher, and just hike back out on your own.
Ranger Guided Tours
ALERT
Unfortunately, the National Park Service has cancelled all of the following tours, except for the Kings Palace Tour. These tours are suspended indefinitely, and it is unknown when, and if, they will resume.
For those who want a guided experience, there are several ranger-led tours available at Carlsbad Caverns.
Kings Palace Tour
One of the most popular guided tours is the Kings Palace Tour, which takes visitors on a 1.5-mile round trip through the stunning Kings Palace chamber. This tour is led by a knowledgeable ranger, who provides fascinating insights into the geology, history, and ecology of the park. Along the way, visitors will see unique rock formations, including cave pearls, helictites, and soda straws, and will learn about the role that water has played in shaping the cave over millions of years.
Left Hand Tunnel Tour
Another popular guided tour at Carlsbad Caverns is the Left Hand Tunnel Tour, which takes visitors on a 1.25-mile round trip through a lesser-known section of the cave. This tour is perfect for those who want to get off the beaten path and explore an area of the cave that is not accessible to the general public. Along the way, visitors will see unique rock formations, including gypsum needles, cave popcorn, and boxwork, and will learn about the fascinating history of the cave, including how it was discovered and explored.
Slaughter Canyon Cave Tour
For visitors who want to experience the cave in a more adventurous way, there are several specialized tours available at Carlsbad Caverns. One of the most popular is the Slaughter Canyon Cave Tour, which takes visitors on a 2.5-hour adventure through a wild and undeveloped section of the cave. This tour is led by experienced cavers and requires a moderate level of physical fitness, as visitors will be crawling, climbing, and scrambling through narrow passages and steep inclines. Along the way, visitors will see stunning rock formations, including helictites, cave bacon, and cave pearls, and will learn about the unique ecosystem that exists within the cave.
Another specialized tour at Carlsbad Caverns is the Spider Cave Tour, which takes visitors on a 3.5-hour adventure through a remote section of the cave that is only accessible to a limited number of visitors each year. This tour is led by experienced cavers and requires a high level of physical fitness, as visitors will be crawling, climbing, and rappelling through narrow passages and vertical drops. Along the way, visitors will see stunning rock formations, including soda straws, helictites, and cave bacon, and will learn about the unique geology and history of the cave.
Bat Flights
In addition to exploring the caves, there are several other activities available at Carlsbad Caverns that allow visitors to experience the park in a unique and exciting way. One of the most popular is the Bat Flight Program, which takes place each evening from May through
October. During this program, visitors gather at the park’s Bat Flight Amphitheater to watch as hundreds of thousands of bats emerge from the cave at sunset to begin their nightly hunt for insects. The spectacle is truly breathtaking, as the bats create a swirling vortex in the sky before disappearing into the night.
Hiking at Carlsbad Caverns
For those who want to explore the park’s surface attractions, there are several hiking trails available that provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape. This place is rugged, and nearly everything along the trail bites or stings, so be aware. Also, this is the desert, so bring your water and sunscreen, because you won’t find any out there.
One of the more adventurous hikes is the Guadalupe Ridge Trail, which takes visitors on a 12-mile round trip through the rugged Chihuahuan Desert. For the truly adventure seeker, this thing runs for more than 100 miles to the south along the ridge of these mountains, all the way to Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
But, for the day-hikers among us, the out & back option is nice as well. Along the way, hikers will see stunning views of the park’s iconic limestone formations, as well as an array of wildlife, including mule deer, javelina, and rattlesnakes.
Another popular hike at Carlsbad Caverns is the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail, which takes visitors on a 1.2-mile round trip through a narrow canyon that is home to a variety of unique rock formations. Along the way, hikers will see towering cliffs, arches, and balanced rocks, as well as an array of cacti and other desert plants.
A longer option is to hike the Rattlesnake Canyon to Guadalupe Ridge Trail Loop, which provides hikers with a moderate 6-mile loop option.
Ranger-Led Programs
For those who want to experience the park’s history and culture, there are several ranger-led programs available that provide fascinating insights into the people who have called the area home over the centuries. One of the most popular programs is the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park Ranger Program, which takes visitors on a guided tour of the park’s zoo and gardens, as well as the nearby Living Desert State Park. Along the way, visitors will learn about the plants and animals that call the desert home, as well as the rich cultural history of the region.
In addition to these activities, there are several other programs and events available at Carlsbad Caverns throughout the year, including ranger-led hikes, star parties, and special educational programs for children. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or a first-time visitor, Carlsbad Caverns offers something for everyone, and is a must-see destination for anyone who loves nature, geology, or history.
There’s no doubt that Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a unique and breathtaking destination that offers a wide variety of activities and tours for visitors of all ages and interests. From exploring the stunning underground world of the caves to hiking the rugged desert landscape, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this iconic park.
Guide to Carlsbad Caverns
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