"Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico" Carlsbad Caverns National Park by MarkJochim
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Guide: 152 reviews and 377 photos
Carlsbad Caverns is probably the most visited tourist site in all of New Mexico. More than 85 caves underlie the park, two of which — Carlsbad Caverns and Lechuguilla Cave — are among the largest and most magnificent underground formations in the world.
Carlsbad Caverns is actually a Permian-age fossil reef. Over a period of millions of years, sulfuric acid ate away at fissures in underground limestone and fossil shelves that were at one time under a vast sea. At undetermined dates partial cave-ins occurred and created immense underground chambers, like the Big Room — 25 stories high and a third of a mile wide.
The National Park is also home to the Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness Area, which at 33,000 acres boasts enough hiking trails to keep you busy for an afternoon, or a week. The park is part of the northern Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem, where grassland vegetation and desert shrub give way to pine woodlands at the highest elevations. You'll find a dazzling palette of desert flowers if you set out after a recent rainstorm. Wildlife abounds-with luck, you may see golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, even elk or cougar tracks.
I have many wonderful memories of visiting Carlsbad Caverns while on family vacations in the 1970s (when we lived in western Texas). I also remember seeing slides of visits my father made to the park in the 1950s while serving with the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss; this was before he returned to California and married my mother.
Unfortunately, I haven't yet been able to return to Carlsbad since moving to Albuquerque. I hope to get down there some day soon!
Reviews (7)
Spider Cave
Things to Do
(7)
Spider Cave is a three-dimensional maze cave, a caver's paradise. Even veteran cavers will enjoy this... more travel advice
Slaughter Canyon Cave
Things to Do
(7)
Ranger-guided tours of this cave take you into an underground wilderness without electricity, paved walkways, or modern... more travel advice
Lower Cave
Things to Do
(7)
ADMISSION: $20.00 for One Time Ladders at the entrance to Lower Cave sometimes cause participants to back out. If you... more travel advice
Left Hand Tunnel
Things to Do
(7)
ACTIVITY FEE: $7.00 for One Time Easy walking, with lanterns. more travel advice
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Basaic Carlsbad Caverns National Park Page"
- "Carlsbad Caverns - it blew my mind!"
- "Carlsbad Caverns National Park, One of My Favorite"
- "Carlsbad Cavern: Its Whats Down Below That Counts"
- "The Stunning Underworld..."
- "Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, US"
- "A Hobbyist's Thoughts on Cave Photography"
- See All...
Categories
- Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Hotels in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Transportation in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Nightlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Restaurants in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Shopping in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Warnings and Dangers in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- See All...
Explore the World
MarkJochim
“...only on the road can you see that yesterday lies behind you and tomorrow waits on the path ahead"”
![]()
![]()
- Member Rank:
- 0 1 8 2 3
- 244 Reviews
- 431 Photos
- Add Friend
- Follow
- Send Message
Badges & Stats in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- 7 Reviews
- 1 Photos
- 0 Forum posts
- 1 Comments
- 398PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (6)
Have you been to Carlsbad Caverns National Park?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Posted in Travel Denver Forum "DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT --..."
- updated a Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Page "Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico"
- Uploaded a Photo to "Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico"
- Wrote a Review Spider Cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park Things to Do
Top 10 Pages
-
Albuquerque
Intro, 45 reviews, 53 photos, 2 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Southampton
Intro, 39 reviews, 56 photos, 2 travelogues
-
London
Intro, 27 reviews, 29 photos
-
San Francisco
Intro, 21 reviews, 22 photos
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Greenwich
Intro, 20 reviews, 21 photos
-
Beijing
Intro, 11 reviews, 12 photos
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Acoma Pueblo
Intro, 8 reviews, 9 photos
-
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Intro, 6 reviews, 9 photos
-
Chaco Canyon National Monument
Intro, 5 reviews, 8 photos
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Taos Pueblo
Intro, 7 reviews, 6 photos

Comments (1)
So, when are you going to go down there yourself???? I loved it as a kid, and again as an adult .... just got back from there AGAIN!!!