Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Cavern, is a marvel of nature for sure. The park’s essential experience is a self-guided walk among the amazing geological formations of the 3.1-hectare Big Room, a colossal stalactite and stalagmite chamber with a ceiling that reaches up to 255 feet high. From the visitor center, ride the elevator 79 stories down to the Big Room, or be adventurous and hike the steep Natural Entrance route, twisting and descending 751 feet from the mouth of the cave. We took the Natural Entrance.

The Big Room’s mostly level paved path winds past intricate formations created by mineral-laden water that has dripped and solidified over hundreds of thousands of years. From ceiling-hung forests of delicate, icicle like stalactites to massive geologic features resembling frozen waterfalls, you are immersed in a surreal world of folded, rippled stone. Though the path can be covered in a hurried 90 minutes, it’s wise to budget a leisurely 2 hours to take in all the sites.

The park’s other spectacle involves Brazilian free tailed bats, which live by the hundreds of thousands in deep, dark reaches of the caverns from roughly April to mid-October. At sunset they fly en-masse from the cave’s mouth, swarming and blackening the sky on their way to feast on insects for the evening. We did not hang around for the bats, but wanted to mention it as its supposedly a tremendous thing to see.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is nestled in the heart of New Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert. Beneath the rugged desert landscape lies a labyrinth of over 119 caves, each telling tales of the Earth's ancient history.

The park is also known for is desert wildlife like mule deer, coyotes and bighorn sheep. Rattlesnake Springs provides a refreshing escape and is a haven for birdwatchers.

Overall the beauty of the cave is amazing, especially if you like caves. For hikers this is more of a day off to see a wonderful part of nature.