EP53: Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Don't Miss this Underground Adventure
If you've never been to Carlsbad Caverns it is a sight to behold. Hidden deep below the Chihuahuan Desert, the caverns span miles underground and in some areas are over 250 feet high! One of the most popular parts to explore is the Big Room, which is over 8 acres large and the largest accessible cave chamber in North America. If that wasn't enough, people have been coming down into the caves since the 1920s when it became a National Monument. Back then they had wooden staircases, questionable rope ladders and kerosene burning torches. Some of the remains of the original stairs and ladders still remain in the cave. Today we have the luxury of having the beautiful features of the cave lit, paths with handrails, educational signs, an elevator, restrooms and even a restaurant and gift shop underground! It truly is amazing.
It is estimated that 250 million years ago in this area of New Mexico was home to the coastline of a shallow sea. With years of change, the sea eventually disappeared leaving limestone hidden beneath the surface of the desert. They say sulfuric acid helped dissolve the limestone to form the caverns we have today. It is a stunning display of stalagmites, stalactites, speleothems, columns, draperies, underground lakes and other cave formations. If it weren't for adventurous explorers these natural wonders would remain hidden. It has taken a ton of work and exploration to create the park we have today.
There are restrictions when visiting this summer, tickets are first-come first-serve and can not be purchased ahead of time online. You show up early, and they give you a time slot. They have a one-way self-guided tour that takes you through the Natural Entrance of the cave, by the Bat Amphitheater. They allow thirty-five visitors in every 15 minutes until 1:45 pm. Our time in the cave took between 2-3 hours. Then you exit up through the elevator one family at a time. There is a lot to see and this should definitely be on your bucket list!
Carlsbad Caverns
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