Who Discovered Carlsbad Caverns?
Carlsbad Caverns are some of the largest and deepest caves in North America, and the park offers both self-guided and ranger-led tours. The cavern has two entrances, the Big Room Route, which is accessible by elevator, and the Natural Entrance Trail, a steep 11?4-mile descent that’s equal to about 79 stories. Once inside, visitors can crawl through narrow passageways or stick to the more easily accessible routes in the Big Room. Guided tours (reservations recommended) take you into other cave areas, including Kings Palace, Left Hand Tunnel, Lower Cave and the Hall of the White Giant. Aside from the caverns, the park also offers hiking and backcountry camping, various visitor center programs and a unique chance to see Mexican free-tail bats.
