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The world that exists below the surface in Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a subterranean marvel, full of formations that dazzle the eyes.
It’s impossible not to be awed by this geological wonder that comedian and actor Will Rogers once called, “The Grand Canyon with a roof over it.”
History of the Caves
One of twenty World Heritage Sites in the U.S., Carlsbad Caverns is a New Mexico gem and a testament to time. To truly appreciate this place, it’s important to understand its history. The caves began to develop about 250 million years ago when a reef formed along the edge of an inland sea.
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Eventually, this sea evaporated, leaving the reef buried under deposits of gypsum and salts. Then, 20 to 30 million years later, the Guadalupe Mountains have raised up thousands of feet above sea level, causing the reef to fracture.
Rainwater permeated down from the surface and mixed with sulfuric acid to carve out the large rooms and passageways that exist today. Slowly, the formations were created, shaping and molding the chambers into palaces of exquisite beauty.
First Known Discoverer
The story has it that Native Americans most likely first discovered the caves while seeking shelter. However, it wasn’t until later when settlers came to the area that word got out about their existence. Jim White, a young ranch hand, is credited with exploring the caverns and calling attention to them.
The teen was out riding around the area when he spotted what he thought was smoke coming out of the ground. He got closer and realized the smoke was thousands of bats swarming out of rocks.
Curious, White crawled inside and realized he’d discovered an incredible cave system. Fascinated with his findings, he continued to explore the caverns, going further and further within the chambers.
Getting the Word Out About This Marvel
Though White tried to tell others about the extraordinary features he saw, very few people believed his improbable tales of a huge underground wilderness. It took photographs by a man named Ray Davis to finally convince skeptics that the caverns were everything White described and more.
People clamored to go into the caves once they saw the pictures. White started taking them on tours that began with a descent in a bucket once used to haul bat guano. Word reached Washington, D.C. and Department of Interior inspectors were sent out to see the caverns.
In 1923, they were proclaimed a National Monument and seven years later, they were designated a National Park.
Entering the Cave
Visitors today can enter the caves via two methods. The easiest way is by taking an elevator from within the visitor center, descending 750 feet to the Big Room. This is the largest single underground chamber in the world, covering an area of 8.2 acres. This vast arena can be explored on a self-guided tour that circles the room’s 1.25-mile perimeter.
Paved and lit trails allow you to easily view the jaw-dropping formations and interpretive signage provides interesting geological facts. Highlights include such famous features as Bottomless Pit, Giant Dome, Rock of Ages and Painted Grotto.
The other means of getting into the caves is by using the historic natural entrance route. This follows the traditional explorers’ access way. The path is steep, with numerous switchbacks. It leads down 750 feet where you’ll enter the Big Room. At this point, you can also take the elevators back up to the visitor center.
Take a Guided Tour With a Ranger
Ranger-guided group tours are also offered at the park. The benefit to having a knowledgeable and experienced guide is the information and stories that he/she shares along the way. This serves to enhance the experience tenfold.
On several tours, rangers will even turn off any artificial light source. This momentarily plunges participants into the complete and utter darkness of a cave’s actual environment. The eerie sensation makes you appreciate the efforts of early explorers, who often had poor light sources or lacked backup sources when their primary methods failed.
Guided tours range from the easily accessible and ever-popular Kings Palace, located in the deepest part of the cavern, to the complex backcountry Spider Cave. This is an adventurous and strenuous tour that’s not for the faint of heart (check on the status of the tours due to Covid restrictions).
On the more challenging expeditions, you’ll descend steep, vertical ladders and climb up slippery flowstone passageways. You’ll also squeeze through tight spaces and crawl long distances through undeveloped areas of the caverns. All with only a headlamp for light.
Dazzling Cave Formations Abound
However you choose to experience the caverns, you’ll no doubt be impressed by the extensive and intricate formations. Along with imposing stalactites and stalagmites, there are translucent cave pearls, elegant draperies, skinny soda straws, sparkling crystals, lily pads, twisting helictites and popcorn-studded walls. Some formations look like animals or people; others appear as buildings such as skyscrapers or castles.
An All-Seasons Destination
You can spend a lot of time exploring the caverns and viewing all the exhibits in the visitor center. Thankfully, the park’s entrance fee is good for three days, allowing visitors to have a quality experience during their stay.
As for the best season to visit the caverns, the answer is “anytime is a good time.” The temperature in the caves remains a pleasant 56 degrees year-round. You’ll have natural air conditioning in the hot summer months. During the winter, it will most likely be warmer down below than it is outside.
While winter is quiet and peaceful in Carlsbad, summer is high season with the added attraction of the bats. As many as seven types of bats may roost in the caves, with the most prevalent being the Mexican free-tailed. The creatures migrate to Carlsbad and take up residence in the caves from late May through October, then head south for the winter.
On most evenings, visitors gather at the amphitheater outside of the natural entrance to watch the spectacular bat flight.
More to Explore In the Town of Carlsbad
To complete your Carlsbad getaway, make sure to make time for all the other attractions and activities in and around the area. Despite being a small town, Carlsbad has much to offer visitors.
The nearby Guadalupe Mountains provide prime terrain for hikers and mountain bikers. The city’s cultural edge comes from the Carlsbad Museum of Fine Arts and the well-known Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center.
There’s also the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park. This is a unique indoor/outdoor museum where you can learn about the plants and animals that inhabit this diverse region.
For more information: www.nps.gov/cave
Book This Trip
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Author Bio: Debbie Stone is an established travel writer and columnist, who crosses the globe in search of unique destinations and experiences to share with her readers and listeners. She’s an avid explorer who welcomes new opportunities to increase awareness and enthusiasm for places, culture, food, history, nature, outdoor adventure, wellness and more. Her travels have taken her to nearly 100 countries spanning all seven continents, and her stories appear in numerous print and digital publications.
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