How Do You Enjoy Carlsbad Caverns National Park?
If you’re a spelunker looking for a cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in southeast New Mexico, is your dream vacation. One of the largest cave chambers in the world is here, paved and artificially lit for visitors’ comfort. If you’re willing to go off the beaten path, however, put on your hiking boots and opt for a wild cave tour. Decide when to go. The park is open all year, with hot temperatures at the surface during summer and cold temperatures in winter. Highest visitation is June through August. Choose transportation. You can rent a car and drive from Carlsbad, New Mexico, which is 23 miles to the northeast of the park. Or fly into Albuquerque, New Mexico; or El Paso, Lubbock or Midland, Texas; and rent a car. Decide where to stay. There is no lodging (campsites or otherwise) in the park, but you can check with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce (carlsbad.org) for nearby accommodations. Plan ahead. Guided cave tours at the park are extremely popular, so it’s best to revi
