64 - Going Deep in Carlsbad Caverns!

Exploring Carlsbad Caverns National Park including the Bat Flight program

Transcript

Hey there, travelers, and welcome back to "Travel Time"! I’m your host, Jennifer, and if you joined us last time, you know we were just wrapping up an amazing visit to Alamogordo and the dazzling White Sands National Park. Well, we packed up our sandy shoes and pointed our compass east, ready for our next New Mexico adventure: Carlsbad!

We pulled into Carlsbad, a friendly town that would be our base for exploring one of America's most incredible natural wonders. We settled in at the Hampton Inn Carlsbad, which was a perfect spot to recharge before our big underground adventure.

The very next morning, we were up bright and early, buzzing with anticipation for Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Now, this isn't a place you just show up to on a whim, especially if you want to make sure you get in. We had wisely pre-reserved Big Room timed entry tickets for our self-guided tour.

And let me tell you, that timed entry ticket is HIGHLY recommended. They only allow a limited number of people in each day, and trust me, you don't want to miss this! We had ours, and it made for a smooth, stress-free start to our underground journey.

The Big Room, our primary destination, is simply astounding. It's the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. Walking the 1.25-mile (2 km) trail through it feels like stepping onto another planet, or rather, into another world entirely. It's a relatively flat trail, and on average, it'll take you about 1.5 hours to walk it. But honestly, you'll want to stop and gawk at every turn, so give yourself a little extra time.

A quick but important tip: some areas of the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails are wet from natural water drips and can be steep. For safety, closed-toe shoes with good traction are highly recommended. Think hiking shoes or sneakers with lug soles. Leave the flip-flops, sandals, and anything with little or no traction in your bag – you'll thank me later, as it really increases your risk of slips and falls.

As you descend, you'll quickly notice the consistent temperature. The year-round temperature in the cavern is about 56ºF (13ºC). It's a welcome cool-down from the New Mexico desert heat above ground, but definitely bring a light jacket or sweatshirt!

For those with little ones, a heads-up: baby strollers are not permitted in the cavern. You'll need to carry small children or use a carrier.

Regarding what you can bring inside, it's pretty strict, and for good reason, to protect the delicate ecosystem. Plain water is permitted, but no flavored water or other drinks. Absolutely no food, gum, mints, candy, or any product that could attract animals into the cavern where they can't escape. Also, a vital note for any smokers: no tobacco products of any kind, including e-cigarettes/vaping and chewing tobacco, are allowed.

You can bring your cell phone, but there's no signal in the cavern. Remember to put it on "airplane mode" or turn it off to conserve the battery, as it won't be searching for a signal. 

And please, bring your quiet voice! Noise carries up to a quarter of a mile (0.4 km) in the cavern, so keep your conversations low to preserve the serene atmosphere for everyone.

One thing that genuinely amazed me was discovering the underground cafeteria! Yes, a place to grab a bite right there in the depths of the earth. It's a unique experience for sure.

Stepping into Carlsbad Cavern really brings home its incredible geological history. This cavern is just one of over 300 limestone caves in a fossil reef laid down by an inland sea about 265 million years ago. Imagine that – you're walking through ancient seabed!

After our incredible self-guided tour, we weren't done with the caverns yet. As evening approached, we headed back for the truly mesmerizing highlight: the Night Bat Program. This is where you get to witness the spectacular sight of up to 400,000 bats emerge each night from the cave entrance, spiraling out into the twilight sky in search of insects.

If you plan to attend, know that seating is first come, first served. You really need to arrive well in advance of sunset to secure a good spot to watch this natural phenomenon. It gets crowded quickly!

A crucial rule for the Bat Flight Program: to protect the bats, electronic devices are not allowed in the amphitheater area. This means no cameras of any kind, no laptop computers, cell phones, iPads, iPods, tablets, or MP3 players. This is for the bats' well-being, as flashes and electronic signals can disorient them. So, leave your gadgets behind and just immerse yourself in the moment. It's a truly unforgettable experience.

We wrapped up our amazing day with a delicious lunch at the cafe in the visitor's center, reflecting on the incredible underground world we'd just explored. Carlsbad Caverns isn't just a cave; it's a profound journey through time and nature's artistry.

And that brings us to the end of this incredible leg of our New Mexico adventure! Our next stop is going to take us even further south, into the rugged beauty of El Paso and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We’ll have all the details on that journey in our next episode!

For now, I'm Jennifer, wishing you all… Happy Travels!