Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Guide
Carlsbad Caverns National Park was created in 1930 to
preserve and protect numerous caves in the Guadalupe Mountains.
The most famous of these, Carlsbad Caverns, contains one of the world's
largest underground chambers and countless formations. The famous
"Big Room" has enough floor area to hold over 6 football
fields! Today the Several different tours are available at Carlsbad, but the most popular is the Big Room route, a one-mile, self-guided underground walk around the perimeter of the largest room in the cave. Taking about an hour, this circular route passes many large and famous features including Bottomless Pit, Giant Dome, Rock of Ages, and Painted Grotto. If you're in good condition and looking for something a little off the beaten path, you may wish to participate in one of the ranger-guided wild caving trips. Options include trips to Left Hand Tunnel, Spider Cave, Slaughter Cave, and Hall of the White Giant. Of course, one of the more popular activities at Carlsbad takes place above ground. Every evening from May through October, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats swarm out of the caverns in search of insects. A large amphitheater has been built at the entrance of the cavern to allow visitors to observe this natural spectacle. To reach the park drive south 30 miles southwest from the city of Carlsbad, NM on Hwy 62/180. The visitor center includes a ticket sales area, restrooms, a bookstore, a gift shop, kennels and a coffee shop. The coffee shop is open during visitor center hours. There is no service in the evening, when the Bat Flight program is taking place. There is a small cafeteria-style restaurant in the Underground Rest Area, which sells box lunches and snack items. There is no lodging inside the park. The nearest accommodations are hotel rooms in Carlsbad, NM. There are no developed campgrounds in the park and only backcountry camping is allowed. However there are commercial campgrounds available in Carlsbad and Whites City. Campsites are also available in the nearby Lincoln National Forest. For more information visit: This page last updated: |
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NOTICE! |
park
covers over 46,000 acres, draws more than half a million visitors, and
has been designated as a World Heritage Site. The caves remain at
a fairly constant 56°F, making them accessible year round. 