The Caverns Historic District

The Caverns Historic District is a group of thirteen buildings within Carlsbad Caverns National Park, constructed from local limestone and adobe materials. The structures are spread across the grounds and serve different purposes: administration, lodging, and visitor services.

The buildings arose between 1920 and 1942, marking the period when the park was being systematically developed for visitors. In the early 1940s, workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps provided crucial labor to complete several structures.

The buildings blend two architectural approaches: National Park Service rustic and Pueblo Revival styles, visible in the stonework and broad covered porches. This design choice reflected a desire to fit the structures into the landscape rather than dominate it.

Visitors enter the district through the park's visitor center or entrance station and follow marked pathways through the grounds. The area is accessible year-round, though weather conditions can occasionally affect travel.

The Bat Flight Amphitheater is a specially built outdoor theater where thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from the cavern at dusk. This natural spectacle occurs from May through October and draws visitors who want to witness this nightly mass exodus.

Location: Eddy County

Architects: Thomas Chalmers Vint, Kenneth M. Saunders

Architectural style: National Park Service rustic, Pueblo Revival Style architecture

GPS coordinates: 32.17694,-104.44194

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42