Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Location: Eddy County, New Mexico, United States

Features: wildlife viewing, camping, hiking.

About the Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns is an American national park in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. The primary attraction of the park is the show cave, Carlsbad Cavern. Visitors to the cave can hike in on their own via the natural entrance or take an elevator from the visitor center.

Carlsbad Cavern includes a large limestone chamber, named simply the Big Room, which is almost 4,000 feet (1,220 m) long, 625 feet (191 m) wide, and 255 feet (78 m) high at its highest point. The Big Room is the largest chamber in North America and the thirty-first largest in the world.

Trails in The Carlsbad Caverns National Park

The park entrance is located on US Highway 62/180, approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Caverns National Park participates in the Junior Ranger Program. The park has two entries on the National Register of Historic Places: The Caverns Historic District and the Rattlesnake Springs Historic District. Approximately two thirds of the park has been set aside as a wilderness area, helping to ensure no future changes will be made to the habitat.

Top 3 Adventure Hacks

1) Bat flight viewing

One of the extra events hosted by the park, A program is given in the early evening at the amphitheater near the main entrance prior to the start of the flight, which varies with the sunset time. Morning programs are also hosted pre-dawn to witness the return of bats into the cave. Once a year, a bat flight breakfast is held where visitors can eat breakfast at the park prior to the morning return of bats.

2) Star parties

Hosted by the park rangers at night. Rangers host informational programs on the celestial night sky and telescopes are also made available. These parties are often held in conjunction with special astronomical events, such as a transit of Venus

Grab a high-powered flashlight if you plan to hike at night. 

3) Attractions

The park contains over 119 caves. Three caves are open to public tours. Carlsbad Caverns is the most famous and is fully developed with electric lights, paved trails, and elevators.

Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area, is a natural oasis with landscaping and wildlife habitats. It is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the National Audubon Society. As a wooded riparian area in the desert, it is home to remarkable variety of birds; over 300 species have been recorded.