Down in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is like a monument to the history of cave exploration and all the adventurers who mapped out these caverns. Hidden beneath the Chihuahuan desert, about a 2.5-hour drive northeast of El Paso, Texas, this massive cave system is straight out of a fantasy novel. We’re talking over 119 limestone caves just chilling under the desert floor. And every year, over half a million people check out this underground wonderland. Can you imagine descending into the earth and exploring those dimly lit, twisting caverns? It’s like entering another realm down there. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just a curious tourist, Carlsbad Caverns has got to be on your bucket list if you’re anywhere near New Mexico. It’s an entire underground adventure just waiting to be discovered beneath the desert sands.
What To See in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Until 1932, the cavern was accessible by a switchback ramp that reached 750 feet (230 m) below ground level, but the walk back up was tiring for many. A large visitor center building was constructed in 1932 to build the park entrance and exit the underground caverns by elevator. The new center also offered a cafeteria, waiting area, museum, and first aid station.
Explore the Cavern
Well, this one is obvious. But there are two options with which you can continue exploring. The first is that you go all by yourself at your own pace or you can be a part of the ranger-guided tour. If you are running out of time, going all by yourself can be a good idea. But if you want to dig a little deeper into the place and also know about the history behind the place, you might want to go with the ranger-guided tour.
Bat Flight Program
There are so many other things on top of the ground to do and make the most out of your trip to Carlsbad Caverns. The Bat Flight Program attracts a lot of tourists to the Park. But there’s one thing to keep in mind: you can only enjoy the Bat Flight Program during certain months of the year. This is because the bats here are migratory, and they only reside here for certain months. The bats make their home in the Carlsbad Caverns from May to October. So, visiting the Park from late May through October is a good idea. And the plus point is that you don’t need to spend a penny more than the entrance fee as there are no additional charges for this activity.
Dark Sky Program
Because this park is away from the pollution, the sky touching high buildings, and the hustle-bustle of the city, it is a perfect place to admire the beauty of the night sky. From May to October, a ranger-guided walk is offered that includes a star walk and moonwalk and, if you are lucky enough to catch a meteor shower.
You Can Experience the Cave Through National Park Ranger-Led Tours
Big Room Trail: Also known as ‘The Hall of Giants,’ it is the largest chamber in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It is the fifth-largest chamber in North America and the twenty-eighth largest globally. You can explore each corner of Big Room and see thousands of fascinating rock formations and sculptures. You will be impressed by the rocks with their columns, cave bacon and popcorn, helictites, stalagmites, stalactites, totem poles, flowstone, and soda straws. About 20 spectacular speleotherms offer extravagant, colorful views. There are rangers stationed at regular intervals on the trail to answer any questions. The features and structures are lit with white light to enable better views of the formations, highlighting their unique characteristics. The tours are also usually busy.
The Natural Entrance Trail: This is a 1.25-mile (2 km) long trail to explore formations like the Devil’s Spring, the Whale’s Mouth, Boneyard, and Iceberg Rock. This route is an extremely steep hike. The whole hike can take up to one hour on average. While walking this trail, you can experience the path taken by the earliest explorers. This is not an easy route and may be strenuous for those with health ailments. At the entryway, you can witness an evening viewing of Mexican free-tailed bats flying in and out of their colony in the cave. This sunset viewing is available from Memorial Day weekend to October, when a ranger will give you more information on the bats and their stay at the caverns.
King’s Palace Tour: You’ll love this 830 feet beneath the cavern in the deepest area of the King’s Palace cave. It is a 1.5-mile loop trail guided by rangers through highly decorated cave chambers. A collection of cave formations will be featured during the tour, including stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone, helictites, cave bacon, draperies, columns, cave popcorn, and soda straws.
Queen’s Chamber: In this cave chamber, you will find rock curtains, of which the 40-foot-long Queen’s Drapery is the most prominent. This chamber is marked with the most beautiful and delicate onyx formations, which have a texture of lace or filigree.
The Papoose Room: If you love the King’s Palace, you’ll definitely like this place. It is a smaller version of the King’s Palace. Located between the King’s palace and the Queen’s Chamber. This cave room is smaller, with giant stalagmites covering the floor and numerous stalactites dropping from the ceiling. A unique formation called the Witch’s Broomstick is a primary attraction here.
Green Lake Room: This room is named after the malachite (copper carbonate) colored pool in the corner of the room. This lake is deep green, and it is believed that the Green Lake Room can be considered a viable shelter during a nuclear attack. Can you imagine squatting in this dimly lit cavern with just that eerie green lake glowing in the corner? It would be like some post-apocalyptic movie set down here. Even without the nuclear fear factor, it’s still a wild experience just wandering through this underground chamber. The green lake is unreal, like something out of a fantasy flick. You’ll definitely want to snap some pics of that alien-looking pool while you’re down there.
Slaughter Canyon Cave: This one is quite a tricky place to visit due to its unmanicured terrain and unpaved trails. There are plenty of tripping hazards and slippery loose terrain along this trail. For outdoor enthusiasts looking for a natural cave within a popular tourist destination, this trail is the closest you’ll come to Carlsbad Cavern.
Lechuguilla Cave: It has a depth of 1,604 feet, making it the fifth-longest known cave in the world and one of the deepest caves in the country. The cave is adorned with various speleotherms and large amounts of yellow sulfur and gypsum deposits.
Lower Cave: Mind you, this tour is not for those who are weak-hearted or claustrophobic. A 3-hour hike involves climbing, descending, and crawling over 50 feet of ladders. The tour takes you through a former expedition site of the National Geographic Society in the 1920s, and you’ll see artifacts from that time and others. A variety of formations can also be found here, including cave pearls. These pearls resemble the ones created by oysters and can be as large as golf balls.
Desert Hiking Trails: The surface hikes at Carlsbad Caverns National Park offer a great way to experience the mountains and deserts of the Guadalupe Plateau. Before leaving, inquire at the visitor center about park conditions. Prepare for the hike by carrying hiking essentials like navigation, sunscreen, pocket knife, water and food. You may experience water shortage, extreme temperatures, and isolation in the backcountry. So, it is essential you be prepared for every situation. A few hiking trails to follow are Chihuahuan Desert Trail, Walnut Canyon Overlook, Rattlesnake Springs Historic District, Yucca Canyon, Guadalupe Ridge Trail, and Juniper Ridge.
When To Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park?
While the summers in this National Park see intense heat in the afternoons and evenings, the winters are mildly cold. You can see rain in August and September. The surface temperatures vary greatly, but the underground temperatures all year round differ. Carry a jacket or sweater to tolerate the cold.
The park is open all year round, with the thickest crowds in summer, on weekends, and holidays. The best time to visit may be during September when you can still see the bats, and less crowd in the summer season.
Last Updated on by Mehnaz
