Carlsbad Caverns National Park- Carlsbad, New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad, New Mexico

     Are you looking for something  to do in New Mexico or south west Texas?! Take the time to check out the Carlsbad Caverns National Park just outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico. It is just a little over 140 miles north of El Paso and about a 5 hour drive south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. But if you like natural wonders this is worth the drive. These caverns are set in the Guadalupe Mountains and are astonishing. You start the tour on top of a mountain, with a breathtaking view of the valley below.

     After checking in a paying a 10.00 fee per adult(children 15 and under are free) you can then choose to walk down to the caverns or take the elevator down the 750 feet to the cavern floors. During the winter the natural entrance is often blocked off, just FYI. When you get to the bottom it is like you are stepping into another world. The caverns are monstrous and the formations are amazing. You can choose to do your own tour or to take a guided tour. My family took the tour on our own and the path is paved and wide which would work well for those with strollers or wheelchairs, although they are parts that are blocked. The total walking tour is about a mile and took us a little over an hour and a half with all our stopping to gawk. But I heard many ahhs and wows from all of my children and I will give you a few reasons why in just a minute. 
     First I wanted to say something about lodging in the area. When I went to find us a hotel I found the hotels were astronomically priced in Carlsbad itself but if you are willing to drive a little it cuts the price almost in half, so just be aware of that little tidbit. So, as promised here are a few wow moments from our tour.

Stalactites aptly named "Cat Tails"

White Giants, that were easily a couple stories tall.

Stalagmites that formed to look like a chandelier.

One of the cavern rooms.

Natural Bridges Cavern- San Antonio, Texas

Natural Bridges Cavern

San Antonio, Texas

Natural Bridges, the reason for the name!

     The Natural Bridges Caverns was a very interesting experience. This was a nice size place with space and beautifully maintained. Although there are multiple tours and a zipline adventure you can take the oldest and probably the most well known is the Adventure Tour, which takes you through the main caverns and takes about an hour and is not for the those that have a hard time with mobility as there are steep and wet inclines and declines along with multiple stairs as you descend down 180 feet below the surface (roughly the same as an 18 story building).
    Our family decided on the Adventure tour and we were all very impressed. There were breathtakingly beautiful views and some great formations. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and more than willing to interact with his tour group and take all kinds of questions. All in all I would most definitely recommend this if your family likes caves, rocks or nature but be aware that this probably isn't the greatest tour for those younger children that like to touch things as you can't touch anything but the handrails without risk of hurting the natural formations. So without further ado here is a sneak peak at some of the great formations you will see on this tour.