Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is a great adventure! This national park really brings you close to nature. The Carlsbad Caverns are, unlike most caves created by running water, all formed by sulfuric acid. There are so many different caves to visit! You have the option of going a self-guided tour or join a guided tour to get in depth information on all the caves. There are over one hundred and sixteen caves to see whether, up close and personal or from a safe distance. You may want to visit one of the over twenty named rooms/caves. The cave named the Big Room is the most famous and is over four thousand feet long.
So, now that you have seen some of the caves what else is there to do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park? If you are visiting in the summer time then you may want to see Bat Flight Program. It may sound a little batty to see over 400,000 bats pour out of a cave, but it is truly amazing! When the sunsets you will have the opportunity to see the bats fly out of the cave and head into the night to find insects to munch on. If you can't make it to the evening Bat Flight Program then visit the park before dawn. The bats return to their cave for rest before the sun rises each summer.
If bats are not your thing, that's okay. Maybe, you'd like to enjoy seeing the stars in the sky at night. Carlsbad Caverns National Park can help make that happen. They have a Star Party that allows you to look through a telescope to see the heavens above. The park is dark at night and allows you to see the night sky outside of the city. Your eyes will be amazed as you can see stars and planets you never thought were possible to see with your naked eye. Make sure you bring a jacket and a flash light, it can get a bit chilly.
What better way to spend time with family or friends than at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park? It is inexpensive and will provide memories to last a lifetime.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park location and hours
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Visitor Center
727 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM, 88220
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open every day of the year except December 25.
Fall/Winter/Spring hours: September 6, 2011 - Memorial Day weekend 2012
Last Cavern Entry:
Via Natural Entrance: 2 p.m.
Via elevator: 3:30 p.m.
Visitor Center Open: 8 a.m. -5 p.m.
Summer extended hours: May 27, 2011 - September 5, 2011
Last Cavern Entry:
Via Natural Entrance: 3:30 p.m.
Via elevator: 4 p.m.
Visitor Center Open: 8 a.m. -7 p.m.
Photo by D. Garding on flickr
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