Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Underground limestone cave system in Eddy County, New Mexico.
Carlsbad Caverns is a limestone cave system beneath the desert in Eddy County, New Mexico. The main cave runs through several levels with chambers connected by natural openings and constructed pathways.
A cowboy named Jim White explored the caves in the late 19th century and shared his discovery with researchers. The government protected the area in 1930, turning it into a national park.
The name honors Charles IV of Bohemia, brought to the region by early German settlers. Visitors today see formations that grew over thousands of years, revealed through lighting that shows how water shaped the rock.
The natural entrance follows a steep path downward, while an elevator offers quicker access. Warm clothing helps, as the temperature inside stays cool throughout the year.
Every summer, hundreds of thousands of bats leave the cave at sunset in a spiraling cloud. Visitors can watch this from an amphitheater near the entrance.
Location: Eddy County
Inception: May 14, 1930
Operator: National Park Service
Website: https://nps.gov/cave
GPS coordinates: 32.17528,-104.44389
Latest update: December 11, 2025 19:55
The western United States protects some of North America's most diverse natural landscapes. From the layered canyons of Canyonlands in Utah to the white gypsum dunes of White Sands in New Mexico, this region spans multiple climate zones and geological formations. Visitors find national parks, Pueblo...
New Mexico combines geological formations with historical sites spanning multiple periods. The region includes cave systems such as Carlsbad Caverns, extensive gypsum fields at White Sands, volcanic landscapes at El Malpais National Monument, and unusual rock formations in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin...
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