Carlsbad Caverns National Park was the first national park that we visited many years ago. The children were small and we were all young. Everybody was excited to visit a national park, go underground to the caverns, and watch the Mexican Free-Tailed bats fly out of the caves at dusk.

There were a lot of changes

So much have changed. Now, it’s the grandchildren who were coming with us and we are definitely older! There is a timed entry to the caverns when it used to be enter-as-you-come to the caverns. The renaming of the Mexican Free-Tailed bats to Brazilian Free-Tailed bats was because of continuing research on the bat colony. Carlsbad Caverns still look pretty much the same except for more people walking around and more railings keeping the people within the prescribed path. The stars seen at night are not so big and bright. Oil companies at the nearby Permian Basin illuminate the night sky with their lights. The U.S. National Park Service has an ongoing discussion with the oil companies to keep light pollution to a least minimum.

Timed entry was used to control overcrowding

There was a line of people estimating to be 50 to 75 feet long to get tickets and gain entry to the caverns. Entry was either through two elevators or through the natural entrance. The elevator took visitors 700 plus feet underground while the natural entrance was a walk of over a mile. Either one took visitors to a center underground with a cafeteria, waiting area, museum, first aid section, and restrooms. The trail to the inner sections of Carlsbad Caverns started here. The caverns were appearing dimly lit, cold, and damp.

Inside Carlsbad Caverns

The caverns were complex and numerous. Each one was of varying size and shape. Stalactites and stalagmites of varying shapes and sizes were on the floors, walls, and ceilings. Some were looking as drab as the rocks surrounding it. Others were glistening and reflecting the dim lights surrounding it. The possibility of getting lost in Carlsbad Cavers was remote. The metal railings were demarcating the paths well. There were maps, guides, and descriptions of each cavern.

Two hours was a long time to be wandering around Carlsbad Caverns. The rock formations were interesting to see but we were exhausted. It was time to head to the surface. The surface air was refreshing to breathe. We took time to have a good break before heading to the amphitheater to watch the Brazilian Free-Tailed bats fly out of the caves.

The bat watching activity

The amphitheater was filling up with people. There was eagerness on their faces especially the younger ones. A park ranger soon was standing in front and began orienting the crowd on the conduct of the bat watching activity. The use of electronic gadgets will be interfering with the bats’ activity. Thus, the park was not allowing its use. Silence was also mandatory. This was in contrast to the bats in Austin, TX. There were city noise, people, and bright lights even during the bat flight.

We wished for a starry night

The conclusion of our visit to Carlsbad Caverns was to spend the evening under the starry sky. Well, a starry sky if not for the bright lights of the Permian Basin oil fields. The park ranger did his best in describing the significance and location of the constellations.