Carlsbad Caverns National Park was established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within the Guadalupe Mountains—a Permian-age fossil reef. The park contains over 100 known caves, including the famous Lechuguilla Cave. Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world’s largest underground chambers and countless formations, is accessible via walking tours offered year-round. Established first as a National Monument on October 25, 1923, the park was designated a National Park on May 14, 1930. Carlsbad Caverns National Park became a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1995.
The park contains a total of 46,766.45 acres; 33,125 acres are a designated wilderness area. Park use is highest in the months of June, July, and August, and generally on weekends and holidays. January is the least busy month. From 1991 to 2001, total annual visitation ranged from 688,742 (1992) to 455,617 (2001). The backcountry of the park gets little use.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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