Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the Guadalupe Mountains is a United States National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in southeastern New Mexico, the greatest attraction of the park is the Carlsbad Cavern which consists of over 117 limestone caves formed from the underground action of sulphuric acid. The surrounding region is a beautiful vista of canyons and shrubby grasslands. Visitors can hike in through the natural cave entrance or take an elevator from the visitor center.
Carlsbad Caves consists mainly of a large cavern called the Big Room. The Big Room is a 4,000-feet long, 625-feet wide, and 255-feet high natural limestone chamber – third largest chamber in North America. In the world, the Big Room ranks seventh among natural cave chambers. The park has been entered twice in the National Register of Historic Places – once as the Caverns Historic District and again as the Rattlesnake Springs Historic District. The Slaughter Canyon Cave offers an underground tour of the wilderness without modern amenities and initiates visitors into the secrets of natural living, now quite forgotten. The Bat Flight is another major attraction.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Location Map
Facts about Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park was established on May 14, 1930.
- Its total area is 46,766 acres
- It was designated a National Monument on October 25, 1923.
- It was redesignated a US National Park on May 14, 1930.
- Carlsbad Caverns was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 6, 1995.
- Read More: Carlsbad Caverns Facts
Where is Carlsbad Caverns National Park ?
The entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park is on New Mexico Highway 7, at White’s City, New Mexico, at a distance of about 20 miles southwest of Carlsbad in New Mexico and 145 miles northeast of El Paso in Texas. The Visitor Center is at 727 National Parks Highway – 27 miles from the town of Carlsbad.
Best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open round the year. Most of the park visitors prefer to visit during June, July and August and on holidays. The park is open round the clock on all days except Christmas.
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Nearby Attractions: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, Carlsbad Municipal Fine Arts Center and Museum, Riverside County Club Park, Heritage Park, Western Heritage Museum (Lea County), Zia Park Casino (Lea County)
Related : New Mexico Map | Carlsbad Caverns National Park Location | US National Parks