CARLSBAD CAVERNS
While we had visited both Mammoth Cave and Wind Cave prior to coming to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, nothing could really prepare us for what we encountered here. We visited Carlsbad along with Guadalupe Mountains National Park, as the parks are only about 30 minutes from one another. The trip we took to the park on this day was in the middle of our time in Guadalupe Mountains, which was an interesting break up to the trip. One of the things about these two parks and a reason to visit both on the same trip is that from a geological perspective, these parks share the same geological range, so ultimately they are very connected. The fascinating thing about Carlsbad Caverns National Park, as you will here us say many times within our episodes, is that these caverns were formed through sulfuric acid dissolution and not carbonic acid dissolution like most other caves.
We packed a lot in on our visit this day, starting with the Lower Cave Tour. Like everything underground at Carlsbad, this was a ticketed tour, however this tour was also limited in regards to participants, capping out at 12. This tour took us down ladders to a lower section of the cave with two rangers who gave us a really great overview of the caverns, it’s speleothems, and it’s history. Donning hardhats and gloves, we traveled down the elevator to the Lunchroom before making our way into the Lower Cave. This tour provided a great primer for the rest of our visit. If you are interested, it is definitely something that needs to be booked in advance.
From here we traveled back up above ground and took a break before making our way down the Natural Entrance of the caverns. This winding path down into the earth makes you feel as though you have entered myth, traveling into the earth to rescue your lost love as you pass breathtaking formations which are expertly lit providing a dramatic viewing experience. This 800 foot descent into the caverns brings you to Lunchroom and from here allows you to explore the path through the Big Room, which is aptly named. This cathedral of rock shows cave formations that look sculptural and that absolutely take your breath away. You would be hard pressed to find a cave of wonders more magnificent than this in your travels through the US National Parks.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is on the traditional and stolen land of the Mescalero Apache and Lipan Apache people.
Listen while you look! These buttons will link you to the podcast episode(s) for this park and gallery.
