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Carlsbad Caverns has 117 caves, the longest of which is ove 120 miles (190 km) long. The Big Room is almost 4,000 feet (1,200 m) long, and the caves are home to over 400,000 Mexican Free-tailed Bats and sixteen other species. Above ground are the Chihuahuan Desert and Rattlesnake Springs. Hours vary seasonally.
This place will be packed and it will be busy. Don't let that deter you from this NP. It was a great experience to get an idea of what're inside of caves. We hiked down first then took the elevator up. I recommend bringing a flashlight/headlamp so you can see more details on the walls.
Had and amazing time and met some amazing people. I took the elevator down and came back up through the natural entrance. It was steep, but well worth the challenge. Be forewarned, most people take the elevator back up. If you are planning that, prepare for a long wait. The Big Room is just amazing. planning on hanging around for a little bit to see the bats go out at dusk.
Did the natural entrance trail. Lots of switchbacks & steep! Wanted to do the other loop, but since the elevators were out we had to walk back up the way we came. Very strenuous.
The cave is fabulous. We've been in a lot of caves. This is the first one they just turn you loose without a tour. We were able to set our own pace.
Scenic drive to the cave. The drive there is all uphill. It's all good until someone crosses the yellow line. Stay in your lane!
Such a fun hike! No elevator service into the caverns so it was a great 800 feet descend but a workout hiking back up!! Was def worth it!! So neat!
GPS will not work inside the cavern, so forget about track recording. Otherwise a very nice, well maintained cave system. Walking up is not as difficult as it seems.
Amazing! We hiked in through the natural entrance and then did the full loop around the Big Room. Wish we would have had more time to do a guided tour of one of the other caves, but still well worth it.
A fabulous place. Check for guided tours when you get there. I checked on line and they looked sold out but was able to book one when I arrived. Walked down and took the elevator out. Walking down is highly recommended as it gives one an idea of how big it really is, how deep it is and how early explorers really encountered it. Very easy walk down. Highly recommended!!
It's almost unreal how big this cave is. Best cave I've ever been too.
best cave I've ever visited!
I went on this hike on Friday after cave tours in Carlsbad Caverns Natl Park. If you are going to spend the time taking the one way gravel scenic drive I suggest this hike. I did this and part of Rattlesnake Canyon, Rattlesnake is at stop 9/18 and then Juniper Ridge is stop 15/18 so it breaks it up for some nice hiking during the drive.
You follow cairns the whole way and it's a good steady climb, pay attention to the cairns, cacti, and get some nice panorama pics from the top. I also happened to see 5 deer and was able to watch them gallop and hop for about 200 yards out on the ridge, quite a sight.
HUGE winds as I got to the top of the ridge, bring an extra layer!
Your calves might hurt the next day but it's so worth it. the cave just goes on and on. amazing formations all the way. set your camera to dusk/ dawn without flash and the photos turn out great.
Was an awesome experience in this np cave.
quick and easy with a great view
elevator out and trail in its about 3 hours to hike it all
Awesome
Great desert landscape experience. There is much more to Carlsbad than the cavern.
Pretty easy all through the caverns. The rock formations are spectacular. Definitely a once in the lifetime experience
Very scenic
How majestic!
Amazing
Mid December trip with a little snow on ground at top of mountain. Gorgeous drive up the mountain. We didn't have the extra hour to walk the path down into cave so we took elevator down. Breathtaking above and below throughout the cave. Historical markers tell you about early explorers! I cant imagine being in there with only a torch or lantern! I highly recommend this amazing cavern.
Thought this was a beautiful hike. Nobody else was on the trail, and the views were wonderful along the way and from the top.
Simply amazing... like walking on another planet.
Elevator broken, didn't care. Nasty hail storm on the surface. Thoughtful lighting inside the cave.
Gorgeous cavern!!!!! So many cool spots all over!
another planet
Very Scenic
Always a great place to get away to. Wear good tennis shoes as the path can be damp and increase your risk for fall.