Best known for it’s switchback ramp that leads to the cave, Carlsbad Caverns has the fifth-largest limestone chamber in all of America. Literally, it’s like the Grand Canyon with a roof over it. For this reason, Carlsbad Caverns is one of the few caverns that you can visit at your own pace. Which means one could easily spend all day exploring the caverns if they wanted to. Not to mention, there is even a cafeteria and gift shop inside Carlsbad Caverns.
The bats of Carlsbad Cavern
Above all, the highlight of this place is the bat show. Beginning at sunset, thousands of bats fly out of the cave in a counterclockwise rotation. As they rotate, they form groups, then they take off and make room for others. Keep in mind that no form of photography is allowed during the bat show. As a result, you won’t be able to take home any souvenir selfie with bats. Nonetheless, it’s a magical experience that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Below is a video made by John Chenger of the Carlsbad bat flight show.
Mexican Free-Tail Bats
Specifically, there are seventeen species of bats at Carlsbad Caverns. Most of them are Mexican free-tail bats. With tails that are about half their total length, these little guys can fly up to ninety-nine miles per hour! Consequently, they can go as far as Texas for a meal. Additionally, they can eat up to eight thousand mosquito sized bugs in a night. Now that’s a lot of bugs! Unlike most animal breed, female bats are slightly larger than the males. Since they will need the extra fat during gestation. After-all, females have one pup a year and they can start at nine month old.
Fun Facts
Bat facts
- In order to be able to hang upside down all night, bat feet are relaxed in a closed position. In other words, they have to force their feet open to let go.
- Once a mother gives birth to her pup, she imprints her scent on it then places it in a creche with all the other pups. Then she will return once a day to feed it.
- Since bat guano has a lot of ammonia in it, bats rotate as they fly out of the cave to vent some amonia out of the cave.
Hours
| May 25 –September 2 | 8:00 am – 7:00 pm | Last entrance ticket sold: 4:45 pm |
| September 3 – May 22 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Last entrance ticket sold: 3:15 pm |
Admission
$15 per person, the ticket is valid for three days.
Plan to spend at least two hours in the caverns and add another two hours if you plan to see the bat show.
Gift shop and snack bar inside the caves
Directions
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220
From Carlsbad, take US Hwy 285 S and turn right onto US-180 W/US-62 W. Then turn right onto NM-7 W and the destination will be at the end.
Accommodations
The closest accommodations are in Carslbad, New Mexico. My link will search through all the online sites to find you the best price available. By purchasing your trip through my link, this site will earn a small commission on your purchase. Rest assured that it will not cost you anything extra! In fact, the only difference is that this site will earn a commission instead of another booking site. Thank your sponsorship!
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