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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3225 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220; (505) 885-8884;
3-Day Admission $6 Adult; $3 Child (ages 6-11);
Hours Jun-Aug: 7:30AM-6PM; Sep-May 8:30AM-3:30PM;

Located beneath the foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains in Southern New Mexico is one of the most amazing wonders on the American continent. Even though their are some caverns that are deeper or longer, Carlsbad Caverns is by far the largest set of underground chambers in the world. The famous Big Room is widely considered the largest underground room in the world.

Visitors step into a entirely different world where limestone formations create endless variety and beauty. Inverted spires known as stalactites reach down from the ceiling as fragile chandeliers. Stalagmites rise from the floor and point upwards. In some instances stalactites and stalagmites join and form monumental columns and pillaars. Nearby are dence growths called helictites that appear fragile and delicate.

Beginning about 200 million years ago, limestone formations grew from a reef bordering an inland sea. Then less than 60 million years ago, these caverns were hollowed out by underground water. In recent times the water has drained away and now surface water seep through cracks in the limestone where each drop of water passes on a tiny piece of dissolved limestone.

Local ranchers and settlers back in the 1880's referred to this cavern as Bat Cave and were quite content to leave to the bats. Shortly thereafter the deposits of bat guano attracted attention and just a few years tons of the stuff was extracted by a mining company. Afterwards, a local boy, James Larkin White, armed only with a kerosene lamp went exploring. He returned with some very incredible tales that eventually led President Calvin Coolidge proclaiming the cavern a national monument on October 25, 1923.

National park status was granted in 1930. Today 46,753 acres covering some 70 caverns are in this preserve. Development has been limited only to largest and most accessible areas, particularly the great Carlsbad Cavern.

The underground climate remains at 56 degrees throughout the year, you might want to wear a sweater.

Besides canyoneering, many outdoor activities are available here. Hiking backcountry trails is a popular activity here.

Points of Interest:

The Big Room
The largest underground cavern in the world - ceiling space for a 60-story building and floor space to accomodate 14 football fields. It is accessed by a 750 foot elevator drop from the Visitor Center. A short trail tour covers 1.25 miles of mostly level trail in the Big Room and takes about an hour.

Visitor Center
Displays about the geology and history of the caverns. On-site restaurant.

Cave Walk
Three mile trail starting at the natural entrance through an 90 foor wide arch. Average time is about three hours to traverse this trail that goes about a mile downwards through natural corridors and passageways. Along the way you'll see:

• Green Lake Room - a small green pool
• King's Palace - regarded as the most ornate of all the chambers
• Queen's Chamber - many translucent formations in shades of pink and rose.
• Papoose Room - small chamber with many stalactites hanging from its low ceiling.
• Sword of Damocles - Awesome formation of hanging directly over the main trail.

New Cave
Recent addition opened to the public 1974. Reached by a steep trail from nearby Slaughter Canyon. Discovered by a goat herder, Tom Tucker, in 1937 while searching for lost animals. Used in 1950 for the filming of King Solomon's Mines.

Bat Flights
Every evening from May through October, thousands of bats spiral out from the main arch natural entrance to feed on insects in the surrounding valleys. Today's population is only a half-million, down from a high of nearly 8 million. Hibernating by day (hanging upside down in dense clusters) they zoom out in the evenings at the rate of 5,000 per minute. Park naturalist is usually on duty to narrate the event.

Old Springs Trail
Outdoor nature trail leads to an observation tower atop the Visitor Center where are the best views of the vast Delaware Basin.

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