Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in southeastern New Mexico and showcases one of the most unique cave systems in the world. According to the National Park Service, the caverns were designated a national park on May 14, 1930. Today the park receives over 300,000 visitors annually. The park is open every day except December 25th. Regular park hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extended summer hours of 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Native Americans were living in and around the caverns as early as 12,000-14,000 years ago. Many of their artifacts remain in the park. The modern discovery of the caverns was made by Jim White in 1898. It took him over ten years to convince locals of the caverns’ extent and exceptionality.
Today, park visitors not only have the chance to experience the extraordinary caves, but also the park’s 33,000 acres of desert wilderness. Here, outdoor enthusiasts can experience incredible biodiversity and stunning vistas.
Tours of Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns National Park’s entrance fee is $6.00, and children under the age of 15 are free. The entrance fee ticket is good for three days and includes access to the park’s two self-guided cave tours. The Big Room self-guided tour takes visitors to the main section of the caverns. The 8.2-acre Big Room is famous for its multitude of large features and is considered a must-see for park visitors. The Natural Entrance self-guided tour follows the path of original cave explorers. This tour includes a steep trail and is more strenuous.
The park offers five guided tours of the caverns, all with varying fees and levels of difficulty.
- The Kings Palace tour takes visitors through four large rooms, allowing a glimpse at numerous types of speleothems, or cave formations. This tour descends to 830 feet below ground, the deepest section of the caves open to the public.
- The Left Hand Tunnel tour is a lantern tour that highlights the history of Carlsbad Caverns. This is the least strenuous of all the guided tours.
- The Slaughter Canyon Cave tour takes visitors through a backcountry cave with no electricity or paved walkways. The cave is known for its outstanding speleothems and evidence of past guano mining.
- The Lower Cave tour features some of the most unique speleothems in the caverns. This section of the caves can only be accessed by ladder; therefore, this tour is not recommended for those with a fear of heights or difficulty climbing.
- Plan to get dirty on the Hall of the White Giant tour. This tour involves crawling through narrow passages, scaling ladders, and climbing rock slopes.
- The Spider Cave tour begins with a half-mile hike to the cave entrance. According to the park’s website, visitors can expect “excessive” crawling and climbing and should prepare to get very dirty.
Park visitors planning on taking a guided tour must make reservations ahead of time. Reservations can be made online or by calling 877-444-6777.
Activities and Programs at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Touring the caves is not the only activity visitors can enjoy at the park. A variety of programs exist to educate visitors about life in the desert.
The caverns are home to Mexican free-tail bats. During the summer, about 400,000 bats live in the caves. At dusk, the bats exit the caverns en masse to hunt. Visitors are invited to view this spectacle.
There are excellent opportunities for bird watching in the park as well. Over 300 bird species call the park home. Two spots in the park have been designated Important Bird Areas by the National Audubon Society. The caverns’ natural entrance is special for its large colony of cave swallows. Rattlesnake Springs is a short hike from the Visitor Center.
Backcountry adventures also await park visitors. Several hiking trails lead visitors through the rugged environment of the Chihuahua Desert. Maps are available at the park bookstore. Some trails lead to backcountry caves that are not included in any of the park tours. Special permits are required to enter these caves and are available at the Visitor Center. There is no campground in the park, but backcountry camping is allowed with a permit as well. Exploration of the backcountry will expose visitors to the park’s diverse plant and animal life, including several species of cactus and large mammals, such as coyotes and pronghorn sheep.
Desert Life
A trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park has much to offer visitors. The caverns themselves are a wonder to behold and present a unique geology lesson. Elsewhere in the park, visitors can learn about the great biodiversity found in a desert environment while enjoying hiking and camping opportunities.
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Geology of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Dianne Turgeon - Dianne is a freelance writer and state government employee. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Environmental ...
