Carlsbad Caverns: The Story Behind the Scenery

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in southeastern New Mexico, was established as a National Park in 1930 and became a World Heritage Site in 1995. It preserves some of the best examples of limestone caves in the world. The story of Carlsbad Caverns National Park is actually the story of two parks: the one park visitors see on the surface and the one they see underground. The pitch-black underground is as different from the bright sun and blue sky of the surface world as the plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert are different from the rocks and minerals of the Cavern.