Carlsbad Caverns National Park

First discovered by a curious teenager in 1898, Carlsbad Cavern is an incredible underground limestone cave in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, just north of the Texas border. The national park contains over 119 limestone caves surrounded by the vast beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert. Each year, about 410,000 people visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park to see the fossilized caverns or spot the thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats that inhabit the park. Several hiking trails and a picnic area are also available for visitors.

Weather at the park can be quite hot during the day, but don’t be deceived. The temperature inside Carlsbad Cavern is a consistent 56 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, giving visitors a chance to cool off - so be sure to bring a jacket along with you! In the summers, temperatures can rise into the 90s and sometimes into the low 100s before cooling off to temps in the low 60s at night. Fall brings pleasant temperatures in the 70s during the day and lows that drop from the high 50s in September all the way down to the high 30s in November. Winters at the park are fairly mild, ranging from highs in the mid-50s to lows typically no colder than the low 30s. One of the best times to visit the park is during the spring, when temperatures warm up to the 60s and 70s during the day.

The closest nearby town is Whites City, which is just outside the park’s entrance. Other cities in the area include Carlsbad, Loving, and Artesia. Some travelers may also choose to stay in or visit one of the tiny Texas towns outside the park, such as Pine Springs or Orla. And for those interested in extraterrestrial life, the town of Roswell, where a UFO supposedly crashed in 1947, is about an hour and a half north of the park.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park has a number of regularly scheduled events throughout the year, including the popular bat flight program. Every night at 6:30 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through October, visitors are invited to watch the park’s Brazilian free-tailed bats fly from the cavern at sunset. A park ranger guides the tour, which is free and available without reservations, although no cell phones, cameras, or other electronic devices are permitted. During certain times of the year, you can also reserve a spot for the guided star walks and moon hikes after the bat flight program. These free hikes are designed for stargazing and are first come, first serve with a maximum of 25 participants.