Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Updated: May 22
Visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a truly mesmerizing experience. The park is home to one of the world's largest cave systems, with over 119 caves to explore. The most popular attraction is the Carlsbad Cavern, which features massive chambers and stunning formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. The cavern can be accessed by walking down a winding path, or by taking an elevator down into the depths of the earth. Exploring the caverns is like venturing into another world, and it's a must-see destination for anyone who loves natural wonders.
From our campsite at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, we drove the 35-mile drive back to White’s City the next day and into Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
When we were there in March it wasn’t very crowded however you do need a reservation to enter the Cavern for the Self Guided Tour. You can get the reservations here. We have been in 4 other cave systems and this was by far the largest. For the start of this road trip go to
We took The Natural Entrance Trail down. As you can see there are switchbacks down into a long cool tunnel that leads to the first gallery.
Walking the Big Room Trail in Carlsbad Caverns is a truly incredible experience. The trail took us on a journey through one of the largest underground chambers in the world, where we were surrounded by stunning rock formations and mesmerizing stalactites and stalagmites. As we explored the trail, we came across unique features such as the Bottomless Pit, the Giant Dome, and the Rock of Ages, each one leaving us in awe of the natural wonder of the caverns. The trail is well-lit and easy to navigate, making it accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities. Walking the Big Room Trail is a must-do activity when visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park. At the end of the tour, we took the elevator back to the surface and had a nice drive back to the Campground.
Lorna’s Tips and Lessons
Most Caverns and Caves are now following established nationwide protocols to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome, a fungal disease that is killing bats. They request that if you have been in another cave or mine since 2005 you do not wear or bring any of the same clothes or shoes as on your other cave trips. I don’t remember what I wore last year but acknowledge I tend to wear a comfortable pair of hiking boots until they are falling apart. Therefore, there is a good chance they have been worn in another cavern. That is not the case with my walking shoes. Therefore, when going to caverns, pack a newer pair of good walking shoes. If going to more than one cavern, pack an extra pair (which is not a bad idea for many reasons).
On to White Sands National Park