*as seen in North Canton Living Magazine October 2024
I watched the monitor as the elevator descended. The park ranger stood quietly by as my ears popped. 30, 40, 50 and so as the elevator ticked on. When we reached the bottom at 79 stories, the ranger reminded us of the low light and gently directed us to the beginning of the self-guided tour. I adjusted my backpack and cane as I stepped into the gloom of Carlsbad Caverns.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Guadalupe Mountains in southern New Mexico. Declared a national park in 1930, Carlsbad Caverns is one of 119 known caves in the park. Scientists found evidence of American Indian occupation dating twelve to fourteen thousand years ago. The caverns experience an average of 500,000 visitors per year. There are two entrances to the caverns. The elevator is reserved for handicapped and families. The natural entrance is a steep 1.25-mile hike. Several tours can be reserved in advance. The self-guided tour is usually available unless in high peak visitor times. The park recommends you reserve in advance.
I purchased the self-guided tour and an audio accompaniment. The pre-programmed radio gave an excellent overview of the caverns allowing me to proceed at my pace. The self-guided trail was well paved and even in the low light visible enough to navigate. Some short yet steep sections do not permit wheelchair access.
I began my afternoon by purchasing a sandwich in the small cafe below. Before I began my hike, I enjoyed my lunch and read the materials provided by the rangers. The park newsletter and brochure provided extensive information on the history and geology of the cave system. The Big Room Trail is 1.25 miles and takes on average an hour and a half. If you are short on time, you can cut off the back part of the trail shortening your hike to forty-five minutes.
I took my time and meandered over the trail in and out of caverns large enough to hold the Notre Dame Cathedral. Rooms where the light disappeared into dark depths or soaring black ceilings. The stalagmites and stalactites rose and descended in glittering spires from every surface. The otherworldly feel was complete with near-total silence. Occasional children’s voices echoed followed quickly by the parent’s reverent shush.
The caverns are under environmental stress. Visitors every year touch and leave traces behind damaging the cavern. Currently, there are strict limitations and fines in place. I witnessed several park rangers on alert and a group of tourists escorted from the caverns.
What I Learned
As the Guadalupe Mountains lifted millions of years ago, the caves were formed by an “acid bath” draining away.
The Big Room is the largest accessible cave in North America.
Seventeen species of bats live in the caves. When they are in season, crowds gather at dusk to watch them leave the cave known as the Bat Flight.
In 1995, Carlsbad Caverns was designated a United Nations World Heritage Site.
In 2016, President Obama and his family visited. He is the first sitting President to visit.
Before You Go
Reservations should be made online in advance. They use a timed entry system and can be purchased at recreation.gov or on the app. Self-guided tours are typically one dollar and do sell out quickly during peak times such as school breaks.
There is no campground at Carlsbad Caverns. Carlsbad, NM features several hotels and Airbnb’s. I stayed at the Brantley Lake State Park campground about 40 minutes away.
Carlsbad is a lovely tourist town with a wide variety of restaurants and tourist attractions. Carlsbad is only a few hours north of McDonald Observatory. A few hours east of El Paso and just a day’s drive over the mountains to Alamogordo and White Sands National Park.
While the tour can take at least forty-five minutes, I recommend you dedicate the afternoon. This is not an experience to rush but a chance to stop and enjoy.