Located within the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico near the town of Carlsbad, the Carlsbad Caverns are part of a vast cave complex. The main attraction of the Carlsbad Caverns is the Big Cave, which contains one of the world’s largest underground chambers, known as the Big Room.
The Big Room is easily accessed by an elevator from the visitor center or by a short walking trail. Once inside the massive chamber, visitors can walk along a paved pathway to admire electrically lighted formations, natural pools and enclaves such as the Temple of the Sun, the Hall of the Giants, and the Rock of Ages. At the Big Room’s highest point is the Spirit World chamber, known for its white stalagmites resembling angel figures. Also contained within the Big Cave is the Lunch Room, a chamber where visitors can purchase snacks and drinks. While they may require a bit more physical exertion, other chambers like the Green Lake Room, Hall of the White Giant, King’s Palace, Lake of the Clouds, Left Hand Tunnel and Queen’s Chamber are well worth exploring for their unique formations.
Between May and October, visitors can watch an amazing spectacle of bat flights every evening from an outdoor amphitheater near the cave’s entrance. Additionally, visitors can hike along a number of nearby trails to view local flora and fauna such as prickly-pear cactus, cave crickets, raccoons, ring-tailed cats, rattlesnakes and a variety of birds. At the visitor center, there is a museum, bookstore, gift shop and cafe.
