One of our goals on the road is to see as many national parks as possible. While passing through New Mexico, we got the opportunity to explore Carlsbad Caverns National Park. This massive complex of caves is stunning. Of the many nicknames this cave system has gotten over the years, my favorite is “The Grand Canyon with a lid on it,” and it fits. Pictures and video can’t capture its majesty or document the art our planet makes over geological time. Considering how accessible the cave system is, there are few reasons not to visit and explore!
While many come to view the Big Room, Carlsbad Caverns National Park can be roughly divided into 4 areas: Hiking trails and wild caves, the visitors center, natural cave entrance and bat caves, and finally the Big Room.
Hiking Trails and Wild Caves
We didn’t get a chance to hike as all our time was spent in the main cave. If the views on the drive up are any clue, they may be well worth it.
Mom here: The kids and I were able to go on the short hike from the visitors center to the main cave entrance. Dad has bad knees, so we made him take the elevator down, so he missed the walk. True to typical national park style, there were some educational signs scattered throughout the brief walk. We loved getting to learn a little about the desert as we walked to the cave.
We did enjoy watching Rock the Park’s episode on Carlsbad Caverns and their explorations of a wild cave. While that is definitely outside our limitations and requires special permits, it was cool to see someone else explore one!
Visitors Center
The Visitors Center is the point of entry for the main cave system at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. In addition to being the place where parties need to check in and get their entry tickets, access to the caves is limited and timed. This isn’t because of any CDC concerns, but to preserve the cave system. The visitors center also hosts a great little museum. The museum talks about the ancient coral reef and sea that dried and eventually rose to be the Guadalupe mountains, in which the cavern system formed.
The museum also had small exhibits about the indigenous peoples’ use of the area, the desert ecology, and early white settlers’ mining of guano.
Natural Cave Entrance and Bat Caves
This is the path many people take to get into the caves. The hike is steep and not necessarily accessible to those with mobility issues (like Dad …). However, the tour through time in the geologic features can make it worth the effort.
Adjacent to the entrance is the bat amphitheater. Visitors can gather in the evening and watch the flocks of bats exiting the caves. While we initially wanted to see this, the rangers told us it was a little late in the season and the bats may have all migrated. Not to mention we hadn’t packed a lunch and were approaching hangry.
The Big Room
This is the main draw of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. In addition to the natural entrance, the visitor center has elevators that go directly down to the “lunch room” area. This area was developed back in 1930. The lunch room is also the first stop after the natural entrance and a great place for parties to meet up again if some need the elevator.
(Mom again here: There is actually quite a bit of walking through the cave system before you get down to the lunch room. I’m glad the elevator is there for those who need it. I’m equally glad the kids and I took the long way. There are a lot of informational signs on the way down. If your kids are doing the Junior Ranger book, it will be easier to complete it if they walk the full way.)
Words alone can not describe the majesty and awe that the Big Room inspires. The massive chamber seems to stretch forever. Hikers follow a paved path around the natural sculptures and pools that geological time and water have formed. The inside of the cave is gently lit to showcase specific features. The paved and fenced walkway circles around the outside and winds through the Big Room. Even if one is not interested in geology, the sights are a must-see for all.
Other Rooms to Explore at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
In addition to self- and ranger-guided tours of the Big Room, visitors can also sign up for ranger-guided tours of the Kings Room. However, this was another thing we didn’t do as it costs a bit extra, and can be more strenuous.
Overall, this was an almost magical experience that no one should pass up. Since there is an easy boondocking stop between here and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, it’s an easy two-for-one stop for the completionists out there, and an easy grab for anyone on the road.