Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in southeastern New Mexico, is a natural wonderland that offers visitors the chance to explore an otherworldly landscape hidden deep beneath the Earth's surface. With its massive underground chambers, crystal formations, and unique wildlife, Carlsbad Caverns is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to experience something truly extraordinary. The entrance alone will blow your mind, just wait until you get inside!
(photo of me taking a photo of the entrance)
History
Carlsbad Caverns was first discovered by a young cowboy named Jim White in 1898. He was exploring the nearby hills when he stumbled upon a small hole in the ground, which turned out to be the entrance to the massive cave system that lies beneath the park. Over the years, the caverns have been explored, mapped, and developed for tourism, and today they are one of the most popular attractions in New Mexico. There are still a number of areas inside the cavern that is not open to the public.
Activities
One of the most popular activities in Carlsbad Caverns is taking a guided tour of the cave system. The park offers several different tours, ranging from easy walks along well-lit pathways to strenuous hikes that require climbing ladders and crawling through narrow passages. (we did not see any of these being offered while we were there but we did see ladders descending deep into the pitch black cavern pictured below)
One of the most popular tours is the Natural Entrance Tour, which takes visitors down a winding path into the heart of the cave system. This is pictured above. We opted to walk into the cavern on our own. You enter from the outside down this winding path into the cave. The total distance from the top down into the cave is about 1.25 miles and very steep. You can hike in and out but there is also an option to hike in and take the elevator out. The descent into the cave is like walking down 75 stories and takes about an hour or longer depending on how long you want to explore and read all the information on your way down. Once inside the cave is dark, it is lit with lights along the way but I also wore my headlamp just in case.
Once inside the cavern you will come to the most popular part of the cave called the Great Room which is about 2000 feet long, 1100 feet wide and 255 feet high. When I say this room is massive, it is. We were pleasantly surprised by this park and so happy we explored on our own. We took our time and saw all the cavern had to offer and that was open to the public for self tours.
Another popular activity in Carlsbad Caverns is attending one of the park's many ranger-led programs. The park offers a wide variety of programs, including bat flight programs. The bat flight program is super popular and you need a reservation separate from your entrance into the park. This takes place at dusk when all the bats leave the cavern. I am petrified of bats so we opted out of that event especially since the cave has been said to be home to over one million bats! No thank you!
You can also join a ranger led cave explorations, and stargazing events. Again, we opted to do our own tour of the cavern. I was shocked to see how big the cavern is and to learn how much is still not explored or open to the public.
The programs are a great way to learn more about the park's natural history and wildlife, and to gain a deeper appreciation for the unique ecosystem that lies beneath the Earth's surface. The park is disability friendly since you can take the elevator up and down into the Great Room. We did see several people enjoying the cavern via wheelchair.
Accommodations
Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers several options for overnight accommodations. The park has a campground with both tent and RV sites, as well as several backcountry campsites for those who prefer a more
(one of the ropes leading into the dark cave that is not open to the public)
secluded experience. There are also several hotels and motels located in the nearby town of Carlsbad for those who prefer a more comfortable stay. We were only there for the day so we did not spend the night camping or in town.
Conclusion
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a natural wonder that offers visitors the chance to explore a world that is hidden deep beneath the Earth's surface. With its massive underground chambers, crystal formations, and unique wildlife, Carlsbad Caverns is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to experience something truly extraordinary. This park can definitely be done in one day and then you could have time to explore Guadalupe Mountains National Park which is only a 25 minute drive to one of the first entrances.
Would you enter the caverns, watch the bats, or both?
Please email me at hikingunlimited@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Comentários