Carlsbad Caverns National Park

In a tiny remote spot of New Mexico is a national wonder that is not to be missed - Carlsbad Caverns. Here you will find over 100 caves with beautiful formations, open to the public to be explored. Inside, year round, the temperature is about 56 degrees so remember your jacket for a comfortable day inside. (Outside is still a desert with very hot, dry heat). You enter into the guest area where you can purchase tickets, visit the gift shop, and look at displays on how the caves were formed. You are welcome to bring your small children in a backpack (no strollers) when exploring the caves. However children under 4 are not allowed on any guided hikes. Here the spaces can be tight - it's not unusual to crawl on hands and knees while wearing a headlight. Our kids got a big kick out of this unusual hike. Not all 100 plus caves are open to the public of course but there are so many that you will be awed by the vastness, the beauty, and the intricities of the icicle-like formations. The highlight of visiting Carlsbad for many including my family is the "Bat Flight". Thousands of bats fly out of the caves just before dusk every day, before a large audience. This performance is repeated when the bats return to the caves pre dawn. Don't fear the bats for they are intent to be on their journey to find their meal. This national park is more unusual than most, well worth the trip. We had planned to hike on some trails after exploring the cave rooms but the difference in temperature wore us out. We'll be back again for more fun. more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is simply stunning. There are two entrances - the natural and the one accessed by elevator. The Great room and all of the other parts of the cavern are amazing. They'll take your breath away that something could be formed like this. At the natural cavern entrance, hundreds of thousands of bats fly out around dusk. There is a program for this and it is a "Do Not Miss!" You could spend quite a bit of time here trying to see the different parts of this wondrous place. more

I have had the pleasure of visiting Carlsbad Caverns several times and I am amazed by its beauty each time I visit. This is a great place to bring your children and show them the wonders of nature. In the evenings you can sit outside of the caverns and watch the bats take flight, this is something not to be missed. I highly recommend visiting Carlsbad Caverns if you have the chance. more

This was a great place to stop by on vacation. Its located in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Its a series of caverns that have a couple different routes you can take. Their are paths that go all the way down to the bottom. You get to see all the jagged rock that hangs from the ceiling of the caves and forms different designs. This is a must see if you get a chance. The price is very affordable and its a interesting place to take the family. more