Where is Carlsbad Caverns?

Carlsbad Caverns – where are they? I had a unique experience during the Memorial weekend. I visited the bat caves of New Mexico, (NM). This major tourist attraction is in Carlsbad National Park, in Southern New Mexico.

It is approximately 23 miles from the town with the same name. The caverns are an unbelievable sight and worth any trip. Getting there from Albuquerque is a very boring and unsightly 4-hour drive. The communities between Albuquerque and Caves are very far apart. In between them is nothing but large expanse of bare land. There are shrubs and dotted with the occasional tree. The most interesting sight was a few cows grazing in pastures along the way.

Carlsbad Caverns 

The Carlsbad Caverns of NM were originally called the “Caves Bat.” It got its name because of the numerous bats residing there. It is reported that miners visited the bat caves to extract bat guano. Then the bat guano was shipped to California for use as fertilizer in orchards. The early explorers never ventured deep into the bat caves. They were only interested in the excretion from the bats. Thereafter, a young local by the name of James Lackin White was intrigued by the caves. As a result, he ventured beyond the bats to explore the bat caves. Hence his interest and exploration resulted in the caves becoming a national monument in 1923. Since, it was named a national park 7 years later.

Bat caves tours

There are several tours available to explore the Carlsbad Caverns. They were sold out so I had no choice but to do a self-guided tour. I entered the Carlsbad Caverns the easy way via an elevator. Whereas the other option is a grueling trek down-hill. We traveled about 750 feet below ground, the descent was quick and easy. On exiting the elevator, you enter a large chamber. This area is called the visitors center containing souvenir shops and a small restaurant. Being in the bat caves some 750 ft below ground felt like another world. In fact, it was strange to listen to the quietness apart from the human chatter. As a matter of fact, there were no sounds of birds or crickets only the occasional sound of footsteps interrupting the silence.

I was caught off guard by the cold temperature within the Carlsbad caverns. Most of all, it was amazing to leave the hot temperature of 90 F above ground. I was experiencing temperature of 56 F within the bat caves. After all, I was dressed for summer in my shorts and a light t-shirt so I was a bit cold.

Stalagmites and Stalactites

My self-guided tour took about a half hour and covered a mile. I was walking at a moderate pace and some areas were dark. Therefore, I recommend the purchase of a light and the electronic audio recorder. The audio recorder provides a walking history of the bat caves. It was a circular walk during which we came across several beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Although, the most notable ones were the twin domes, the totem poles and the giant domes.

A must see is an area called the big room. It is approximately 8.2 acres and contains a bottom less pit. I was excited to venture and explore that area. The big room is so vast that it is estimated that 13 football fields would fit comfortably. I must commend the park authorities for their work in maintaining the Carlsbad Caverns. Persons with wheelchairs can easily maneuver around the bat caves. Above all, they should be accompanied by a companion to assist them along the trail.

Carlsbad Cavern Tours

I was ready to see the sunlight after walking for 2 hours below ground in very mild temperatures. There was a long wait for the elevators. This was due to the large number of visitors. After a long wait, I took the elevator to higher ground. The wait was approximately one hour. There are other tours including the Kings Palace guided tour. The length of that tour takes about an hour and a half.  Furthermore, the tour is conducted by Forest Rangers and goes into the deepest portions of the caves.

The Carlsbad Caverns have a natural entrance. In fact, it can be used instead of the elevators. Persons entering through the natural entrance are required to do a self-guided tour. It should be noted that this tour is for persons in good physical condition. You are required to travel through steep and narrow trails with a decent to 750 ft below ground.

You can obtain more information about tour packages to the Carlsbad Caverns of NM. Please contact your Albuquerque travel agency, Tropical Destination Vacations.  Call us now at 505-999-1039 or email [email protected]