Dan's 2012 Great Adventures: Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Everyone should have the Carlsbad Caverns National Park on their "bucket list". Not only is it totally amazing, it has to be the best value for your dollar ever. Entrance to the caves is only $8.00 ($4.00 with senior or other national parks pass) which includes two free self-guided hikes and is valid for 3 days. I opted for the two free tours: "Natural Entrance" route, a 1.25 mile hike descending 800' and well worth the effort if you are physically fit and healthy (you can take the elevator down as an option); and the "Big Room" route, a 1.25 mile paved hiking trail with absolutely amazing sights which is 8 acres and has a 255' ceiling. I also took one of the paid for guided tours to "King's Palace" ($4.00 with senior pass). The information provided by the Park Ranger is well worth taking a guided tour. There are several other more strenuous and challenging guided tours available for the more adventurous. The caves are 820' below ground and a constant 56* year round. These photos do not even come close to capturing the sights inside the caves.

Natural entrance route into caves

During the King's Palace tour, one of the individuals asked if he could play the flute - what a treat, the sound was amazing!

Elevators: 1 minute ride 820'

Rest and meeting area at bottom of caves

I also stayed for the evening "Bat Flight". At dusk the Park Rangers give a "pre-flight" talk in the amphitheater at the opening of the cave and soon after hundreds of thousand bats emerge from the cave and fly out first to get water and then eat half their body weight in insects.