Carlsbad Caverns National Park
High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus and desert wildlife - treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 known caves - all formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes. Carlsbad Cavern is one of over 300 limestone caves in a fossil reef laid down by an inland sea 250 to 280 million years ago. Twelve to fourteen thousand years ago, American Indians lived in the Guadalupe Mountains; some of their cooking ring sites and pictographs have been found within the present day boundaries of the park. Of course, the most famous of the park's mammals are the bats, especially the large colony of Brazilian (or Mexican) free-tailed Bats that wow visitors every evening from spring through fall with their spectacular outflight. In all, the park hosts 17 different species of bats that use a variety of different habitats.
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Park Information
The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown 365 days per year.
The daily fee is $5.00 per vehicle (2 to 8 people per vehicle) and $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
See Related Web Page for more information.
Please park in designated parking areas only.
If you have questions about parking contact someone in the ranger station.
Please stay on the roads and trails to access the caches. No bushwhacking is required.
This cache has been placed with the permission of
Eduardo Alaniz, Park Manager, Lake Manatee State Park (941) 741-3028