"The Stunning Underworld..." Top 5 Page for this destination Carlsbad Caverns National Park by Shihar

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

Cave swallows outside natural entrance - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Useless camera...

Unless you have the expensive camera equip to record your visit memories, expect to be disappointed when your camera fails to capture what your eyes are seeing.

I realize that it is extremely hard to tell in the picture above, but as you walk torwards the natural entrance you will be greeted by dozens of cave swallows. This was a great highlight for me since we were visiting too early in the year to see the Mexican free-tail bats. The swallows are also seasonal but they co-habitate with the bats nicely during the summers.

In 1930, Congress declared Carlsbad Caverns a National Park. Since this time, the Caverns have expanded to include almost 47,000 total acres and 100 caves altogether.

Today, experienced cavers are continually finding new unknown treasures within the park. Recently, cavers requested a permit to explore a weird wind blowing from a small cave, Misery Hole. This exploration uncovered Lechugilla Cave which expands about 112 miles and contains a very fragile ecosystem. Lechugilla is not open to the public and recent studies have shown that the cave contains microbes that break down and destroy cancer cells.

How did this occur??

7 miles to Visitor Center

The Caverns were formed approximately 250 million years ago when this region was a reef covered by an inland sea. Evenually the sea evaporated and the reef was buried under salt and gypsum. After many natural geological happenings, the caves started to form drop by drop to be what they are today.This evolution of the ancient sea reef has also formed the nearby Guadalupe Mt. National Park.

There is about a 7 mile drive to the Visitor center. While on the drive you will see several types of agave,yucca, cacti and many other desert loving plants

Getting There..

Breast of Venus

The park is located off US 62/180, 20 miles southwest of Carlsbad, NM and 164 miles east of El Paso, TX.

G-rated please!-This is a family attraction?! The Breast is one of the famously named decor in the caves.

Will Rogers proclaimed the caverns to be "the Grand Cayon with a roof on it".

Here the Chihuahuan Desert has helped develop one of the worlds most deepest, largest, and ornate caverns ever discovered.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Bellows of the Earth not commonly seen
Cons:Don't go tired or hungry!! Can be overwhelming...

Last visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Mar 2006
Intro Updated May 7, 2006
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Reviews (17)

Lion's tail - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Once Inside the Cave... Things to Do (5)

It is very dark inside.. your eyes will of course adjust ,but your camera will not ,even with flash. Here are the best... more travel advice

Apache Canyon Trading Post - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Apache Canyon Trading Post Shopping (1)

We stopped at this little trading post to pick up turquoise for my co-workers. The prices weren't too bad. It is... more travel advice

Location of Bat viewing - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Bats of course! Nightlife (1)

It you visit the Park during the the Bat season, the bat flight is truly something to witness. Unforunately, we were not... more travel advice

Days Inn- Carlsbad, NM - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Days Inn- Carlsbad, NM Hotels (1)

We stayed in the Days Inn in Carlsbad, NM. It was a bit of a drive to Guadalupe Mt.NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP every day... more travel advice

Restaurants (5)
See All Not too bad.. Italian

Off The Beaten Path (4)
See All Living Desert State Park- Carlsbad,NM

Comments (3)

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JLBG Jan 5, 2007 at 1:47 AM

Great pictures! I have always dreamed of visiting the Carlsbad caverns but I understand that it is better to bring food than to rely on local eateries! This is an important practical info!
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chewy3326 Aug 16, 2006 at 5:17 AM

Italian in New Mexico? Interesting... I have the same problem taking photos in caves. Great and informative page!
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kazander Mar 22, 2006 at 9:46 AM

Fantastic opening shot! Another place we will one day get too!