Carlsbad Caverns National Park
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Carlsbad Caverns National Park. I’ve seen pictures and heard stories but I wasn’t prepared for what we got to see. I think that’s one of the things I love most about visiting new places, especially the national parks. Pictures are beautiful, but they can never capture the awe you feel being in some of theses places.
Carlsbad Caverns is known for its incredible caves. The Big Room is the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. You can get to the Big Room by taking an elevator down or by walking in through the Natural Entrance Trail. We opted for the walk in which is a 1.25 mile trail that decends 750 feet.
The walk in was more stenuous than I expected but I would highly recommend it. It was really incredible to walk in and wind our way down through all the formations. The walk is steep but there is a handrail.
Once in the Big Room there is a 1.25 mile trail that goes around the cave. It’s relatively flat and part is accessible. By the end of our 2.5 miles, walking in plus the trail in the cave, we were beat. We took the elevator out and I have never been so excited for an elevator ride. Had we had to walk out I’d probably have taken up residence in the Big Room.
We visited in the fall, October 2023 to be exact, and were able to see the Bat Flight Program! It’s a must do if you’re visiting while the bats are still around. A large colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats call the cave home spring – fall. The bats leave at sunset each night to find food and water.
Prior to the bats exiting, the Cave Swallows that also call the cave home started flying around and putting on a show. I guess they are the opening act. Eventually the bats made their way out and everyone watched in awe as they flew out of the entrance, circled around in groups and made what looked like a cyclone, and then when their group was large enough they flew off. I’m not sure how long we sat there watching, probably an hour, but we had to have seen 100,000+ bats fly off into the sunset.
No picture/recording devices are allowed when the bats are flying so I don’t have any pictures to share but I think that makes this event even more special. It’s something you truly have to witness to see.
I’d recommend visiting Carlsbad Caverns if you are in the area. The cave is accessible, which is super cool. So basically, there’s no reason not to visit. Unless you don’t like caves and then you can take my word for its epicness. 🙂
