In elementary school we did an experiment, creating our own stalactites and stalagmites by dangling piece of yarn between two cups of salt water. As kids we thought the end results were pretty cool, but they were absolutely ridiculous in comparison to the natural wonder that sits beyond the entrance to the 113 caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

The History of Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns National Park sits in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. Millions of years earlier a reef developed in the area but was later buried when the sea receded from the area. As time went by the layers of rock that were buried beneath the surface were pushed up and eventually formed the Guadalupe Mountains.

Beneath the surface, rich oil deposits caused cracks in the limestone and when rainwater seeped through the cracks it mixed with the brine to create sulfuric acid. This acid ate away the limestone, thus creating the beautiful caverns that exist today. As the mountains lifted above the earth, the water inside naturally drained and left behind the minerals that formed the stalagmites and stalactites, amongst other things, that we see there today.

Today there are over 300 caves beneath the surface of the desert, but only 113 of these fall within the confines of the national park.

Inside Carlsbad Caverns

Imagine the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth (which was actually filmed in part in Carlsbad Caverns National Park) and multiply it by ten. You might then have an inkling of how amazing walking through these caverns can really be. The peaks and spires created by Mother Nature and her dripping sand give visitors the illusion of stepping into another world - and they may as well have.

No visit is complete without a tour of the 8.2 acre Big Room. This guided tour is perfect for visitors of all ages and is even wheelchair accessible in some sections.

Outside Carlsbad Caverns

The outside areas within Carlsbad Caverns National Park are just as amazing as the underground. This New Mexico destination may reside in the middle of the desert, but it is rich with plant life, wildlife, butterflies, and even Mexican free-tailed bats.

Visitors will enjoy not only touring the caverns but camping, hiking, and exploring the visitor center as well. During the summer months you’ll even get to see the free-tail bats in action at dusk.

The Bat Flight Program is a growing attraction within the park, with over 400,000 bats taking flight each evening to search for their dinner. During weekend evenings between Memorial Day and mid-October you’ll find a park ranger giving a talk about these incredible creatures outside the cavern entrance. The bats leave at dusk and if you are camping in the park and get up early enough you’ll be able to see them return to the caves just before dawn.

(A word of caution: scientific studies have shown that lights disturb the bats. Therefore, absolutely no photography of any kind is allowed during the Bat Flight Program presentation unless you have express written permission from the park).

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park

No trip to New Mexico is complete without a trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. There are tons of activities for the entire family, whether you wish to explore the caverns or stay above ground.

Casual tourists will enjoy a leisurely stroll through the canyon, complete with proper lighting, elevators, and carefully paved foot paths. Guided tours are available, but amateurs are also allowed to take self-guided tours on specially designed paths through the Boneyard, Devil’s Spring, and a few other choice locations.

More experienced hikers will enjoy working with guides from Wild Cave Tours who are ready and waiting to take them deeper into the cavern on a tour complete with helmets, dark paths, and rope ladders. Be prepared to cross pools within the caverns, crawl on your belly, squeeze through tight pathways, and even engage in a bit of free climbing!

Don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes and a jacket, no matter what time of year you visit the park. The temperature within Carlsbad Caverns usually stays around 56 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.

Visiting Hours & Costs

Carlsbad Caverns are accessible to the public year round. The park is open from 8am until 7pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Once the summer season ends the park hours revert to 8am until 5pm daily.

Cave entry fees are $6 per adult age 16 and over. Anyone 15 and under can enter for free! If you’d like an audio guide, the costs are $9 per adult and $3 per child. Additional activities are available at an added cost, usually ranging from $3.00 up to $20.00.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park promises hours, if not days, of incredible activity for the entire family. Spend some time exploring one of the earth’s most incredible natural gifts, and enjoy your time in New Mexico!

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