Carlsbad Caverns National Park trip planner

The canyons, cacti, and thorny bushes of the southern New Mexico desert hide one of the U.S.'s great subterranean geological wonders, Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The collection of 119 water-carved limestone caves includes the Big Room, a chamber 191 m (625 ft) wide, 78 m (255 ft) high, and 1,220 m (4,000 ft) long, brimming with massive stalactites and stalagmites. The large scale of the Big Room makes it the fifth largest cavern in North America and the 28th largest in the world. Hiking trails lead down to the caverns and an elevator provides an even more direct route. The surrounding area has been designated a wilderness area to prevent development from affecting the caves, and a 14.5 km (9 mi) loop road through the desert landscape aboveground provides a nice complement to exploration of the caves below. Make the most of your holiday in Carlsbad Caverns National Park by finding out about its attractions and choosing what to see using our United States vacation planner.