"A Great Big Hole in the Earth" Carlsbad Caverns National Park by mrclay2000

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Guide: 152 reviews and 377 photos

entrance sign - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns is one of those gloomy national parks in the southwest quadrant of the United States. Above ground the terrain looks no more inviting that the dusty confines of either Guadalupe Mountains NP or Big Bend, and underground the scenery is also less than spectacular.

Like other national parks, the visitor center is the place to start, but hopefully you will learn from locals that the best way to enter the caverns is through the same natural amphitheater where the bats emerge during the summer. "You miss a lot" if you take the elevator, said one man to me, and if you don't get to the caverns before 2:00 or 2:30, you won't have any choice but the elevator. Take it from me -- you'll need every good tip to make this gloomy place an exciting visit.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Easy to tour, strange natural formations and illusions
Cons:Cold, gloomy, dark, wet, colorless -- almost joyless
In a nutshell:What Caverns Are All About, Whatever That May Be!

Last visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park: May 1995
Intro Updated Jan 13, 2003
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Reviews (8)

on top of the dunes in White Sands - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

White Sands National Monument Off The Beaten Path (4)

A few hours away northwest from the caverns off US-82, your family will enjoy the cool climes of a desert of white sand... more travel advice

Apache Trading Post - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A Place to Kick the Dust from Your Shoes Off The Beaten Path (4)

Get out and visit the emporia whenever you can. This little shopping oasis is one of the few aboveground emporia within... more travel advice

Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Head for the Mountains! Off The Beaten Path (4)

When you tire of the chaparrals and hilltops around the caverns, and you think that the rest of the world is a dusty... more travel advice

not just tall towers and dangling cones - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A Little Too Cute Off The Beaten Path (4)

In my humble opinion, the park service tried to name something cute for every odd formation, but the descriptions... more travel advice

Things to Do (3)
See All In the Caverns Belowground

Favorites (1)
Choice of Entry is Paramount

Comments (7)

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BerniShand Feb 13, 2004 at 1:32 AM

the trouble with caverns is that they are all much the same, you could be anywhere in the world when you are underground. Even so, this was a very interesting page, thanks
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tpangelinan Sep 10, 2003 at 1:05 PM

Very nice page! Never heard of this place but looks pretty cool, we have the Laray caverns around here, very similer!
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mtncorg Jun 12, 2003 at 11:39 AM

By entering from the mouth, the cave is more interesting, IMHO. The view of the mountains from the Visiotr Center south towards Guadelupe is impressive too. You really get a great feeling for the ancient reef formations of bygone ages.
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herzog63 May 26, 2003 at 11:02 PM

I remember reading about these as a kid and really wanting to go. I passed through the area in the mid 80's with 2 other guys and I was out voted!! Still haven't seen'em!! It still sounds interesting to me.
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zrim Mar 7, 2003 at 8:08 AM

I've never been much of an underground guy either.
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asturnut Feb 5, 2003 at 8:43 AM

I guess spelunking is not your thing. Interesting perspective.
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annk Jan 26, 2003 at 6:16 PM

Too bad you didn't enjoy the caverns. I thought they were well worth the visit.