It’s got all the cathedrals of the world in it, with half of ‘em hanging upside down.
— Will Rogers
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Date Created: Carlsbad Caverns National Park was designated a national monument on October 25, 1923, and it was redesignated as a national park on May 14, 1930.
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Location: Southeastern New Mexico, USA.
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Size: Approximately 46,766 acres (18,925 hectares).
The Chichuahuan Desert is the largest and wettest of the North American deserts. What lies below the surface is indescribable! My first experience with this national park was 20 years ago. My mother and I waited patiently for the thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats to fly out of the cavern in search of insects. At dusk several emerged and then a spectacular cloud of bats streaked out of the cave – a whirling funnel of black speedsters traveling through the darkening sky. Alas, the bats migrate so this phenomena is available from May to October. December 2023, I hiked the 1.25 mile, 800 foot descent into the cave. It is a ethereal journey. In some places the cave roof is 200 feet over the trail while other times – duck your head. The 14 acre Big Room features stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies, flowstone, cave pearls, popcorn – seriously the diversity and variety of formations are beyond description. Kings Palace is one of the ranger led tours of extraordinary formations and well worth the extra time to explore. After wandering nearly five hours in this amazing place the elevator was a welcome 750 foot ride to the surface – and reality. Astonishingly, Carlsbad Cavern is only one of more than 100 caves identified in this area so far!
