Dec 2

Dec 2 Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Sulfuric acid from petroleum deposits deep underground aggressively eroded the ancient fossilized reef, built in the Delaware Sea by sponges and algae more than 250 million years ago, leaving behind the gigantic caverns contained within the park. An enormous variety of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites cover the caverns’ floors and ceilings.

THE BIG ROOM / HALL OF THE GIANTS

The main cavern, simply named the Big Room is four thousand feet long, and at it’s highest point is more than 250ft tall. Any room that large would be impressive, but the fact that it’s natural and 700ft below the surface makes it even more incredible. This enormous room has a vast assortment of stalagmite and stalactite features. The number of features alone is impressive, not to mention how massive some of these features are. Give yourself two hours to explore the entire main chamber and see every feature. The 1.25 mile trail around the outside of the room lets you see all the cave has to offer. The path is paved, is mostly flat except in a few places, and has railings on both sides so you could walk the entire thing with your eyes closed. All features are tastefully lit, but the cavern is relatively dim so phone cameras may have difficulty in the low light. There is a shortcut that bypasses a part of the chamber and cuts the walk down to .6 miles. I do not recommend taking the shortcut. You really should see the entire cavern.

RANGER-LEAD TOURS

Only the Big Room is accessible without a guide. If possible, I recommend setting aside as much time as possible to explore the caves here. The Big Room can be accessed quickly and easily via the elevators at the visitors center, so book a tour or two and work around your tour time, but don’t skimp on the natural entrance hike. It is well worth the time. The King’s Palace Tour is paved like the Big Room and features giant formations as well as a bat skeleton that has been swallowed by a stalagmite. On this tour, rangers turn off the lights in the cave and visitors are enveloped in astonishingly thick darkness for five minutes. Left Hand Tunnel Tour offers a bit more mystery as you navigate through the darkness with only a flickering lantern. Formations seem to leap out at your from the darkness. Lower Cave requires a bit more exertion, as you must climb ladders and scramble down fifty feet of rope. Each tour has its own precautions and the tour schedule varies depending on the season so check the national park’s website for information.

BATS

From late May to mid October, every night ~30min before sunset, hundreds of thousands of bats emerge from the cave to feast on the flurry of insects in the twilight sky. At the mouth of the natural entrance is an ampitheater where rangers give talks about the bats. Listen for the soft flutter and if the air is still you will feel a gentle breeze from thousands of tiny flapping wings.

KENNELS

If you are traveling with a pet, there is a kennel on the back side of the visitor center that will take your friend for the day. It costs $10 and you are required to show vaccination records. There is no cell service here, so if your pets records are digital, you should print them or retrieve them before you get the park. The kennel is nothing more than a room full of cages, so don’t expect a puppy pampering. You can leave your pet with a blanket or toy and staff will make sure they have water, but that’s about it.

TIPS

NATURAL ENTRANCE

If you are an able bodied person I highly recommend taking the natural entrance into the cave. You pass through a number of enormous caverns and wind your way down to the main chamber through what seems like the entrance to another world. This stunning hike gives you the feeling of a true explorer, about to turn the corner to see the fountain of youth, or perhaps Mordor. The path is almost constantly downhill, so it does not require a lot of effort, but it is fairly steep in some spots. The entire path is paved with hand rails so it is not dangerous if you follow the rules. The path can be wet in places, but the purposely textured asphalt provides good traction.

GIFT SHOP

Bring a few dollars for souvenirs, because this is one of the best gift shops you will find. There is also a deli style restaurant in case you get hungry.