Carlsbad Caverns National Park

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a United States National Park located in the southeastern corner of New Mexico in Eddy County. It was established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef. The park contains 83 separate caves, including Lechuguilla Cave, the nation's deepest and third longest limestone cave—1,604 feet (489 m). Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless formations, is highly accessible, with both self-guided and a variety of ranger-guided tours offered year round. Visitors can hike into the interior rooms on their own via the natural entrance, or take an elevator (the exit for everyone) directly down into the center of the public cave area.

Related Topics:
United States National Park - New Mexico - Eddy County - Cave - Permian - Fossil - Lechuguilla Cave - Limestone - Ranger

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Carlsbad was first designated a National Monument on 25 October, 1923. It was redesignated a national park on 14 May, 1930. Carlsbad Caverns was also designated a World Heritage Site on 6 December, 1995.

Related Topics:
National Monument - 25 October - 1923 - National park - 14 May - 1930 - World Heritage Site - 6 December - 1995

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:Total area: 73.07 mi² (189 km²)

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: Federal: 72.54 mi² (188 km²)

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: Nonfederal: 0.52 mi² (1.4 km²)

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51.75 mi² (134 km²) of the park is designated as a wilderness area.

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open year-round, but the majority of park visitors come during the months of June, July and August and on weekends and holidays. The month with the least visitors is January. The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Christmas Day. The park entrance is located on US Highway 62/180 approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Related Topics:
Christmas - Carlsbad, New Mexico

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