Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Moving right along - this is not our normal pace but with the high heat (low 100's) we aren't inclined to hang around places. Next stop, Carlsbad New Mexico to go to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. This is a long time bucket list stop that has finally fit into travel plans. We could have come here many times in the winter as we were fairly close, but, in the winter you don't see the epic flight of the bats because they aren't there.

The thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats that call the cave their summer home, migrate south to Mexico in late October or early November. They will come back in April or May. When they come back the females are already pregnant and will give birth in June. By August the young bats are already almost full grown and will take their first flights out of the cave with the adults.

The nightly exodus of the bats can be viewed at an amphitheater near the natural entrance of the cave. A ranger gives a talk a little prior to the expected flight time preparing visitors on what to expect and the rules to follow. The main rules are to be quiet and all electronic devices need to be turned off including cameras. These things mess up the bats natural sonar system. We had a clear, perfect evening with a rising full moon and we were rewarded by the spectacular show of the waves of hundreds, maybe thousands of bats at a time swirling out of the cave and flying off across the horizon to feed. Forget the camera, mental pictures are the best - especially in low light conditions trying to capture a speeding bat.

I admit that coming to Carlsbad Caverns hit the bucket list many years ago for the flight of the bats. But let me tell you, you have to tour the caves, too! I had no idea how spectacular the caves were. We did the guided Kings Palace tour and then walked the self guided tour around the Big Room. All total, we walked 3 miles in the cave. Take the guided tour because you will see incredible rooms only seen with a guide and you will learn a ton of interesting information from the guide which adds to the experience. How many times can I say spectacular? We've toured quite a few caves and this one is right at the top of the enjoyment list. A word of warning, the wait for the elevator down and up can be long so plan accordingly. An hour wait to get the ride up is not uncommon and it can be longer.

I took pictures in the cave (as mentioned, none during the bat flight) but they didn't come out great. I'll include a few to try to give an idea.

On Kings Palace tour

On Kings Palace tour

On Kings Palace tour

On Kings Palace tour

Lions Trails in Big Room