This Is One of the Most Remote and Unique U.S. National Parks-With 120 Caves, a Bat Colony, and Pretty Desert Scenery

"Located 20 miles from the nearest major city (that would be Carlsbad) in the desert, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the U.S. It encompasses 46,766 acres, 120 known caves, and the largest cave chamber in North America, the Big Room. It was first established as a national monument in 1923 by former president Calvin Coolidge for its "extraordinary proportions and unusual beauty," and later designated a national park by Congress in 1930."

""Honestly, it's way bigger than people expect," says Matt Berna, senior vice president of Intrepid, a small group tour operator company. "You go in thinking you're visiting a cave, and then you realize you've stepped into this massive other world. The air stays cool year-round, and the formations feel ancient and alive." Here's what you need to know before planning a trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park."

Carlsbad Caverns National Park lies about 20 miles from Carlsbad, New Mexico, and covers 46,766 acres of desert and pinyon-juniper woodland. The park contains 120 known caves and the Big Room, the largest cave chamber in North America. The site received national monument status in 1923 and was designated a national park in 1930. Cave interiors remain cool year-round and feature ancient formations that create a vast subterranean landscape. Visitor requirements include a $15 per-vehicle entrance pass plus a $1 timed-entry reservation, with federal fee-waiver eligibility for certain military and veteran groups.

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