Fun And Recreation At Carlsbad

Carlsbad, originally called the "Town of Eddy" is considered the county seat of Eddy County, New Mexico in the United States. This famous vacation spot is located along the beautiful banks of Pecos River, just on the west side of the Flumes and Chihuahuan Desert.

Getting to Carlsbad, New Mexico is easy. You can cross one of Carlsbad's two major highways—the US 62/180 & US 285, travel there via airport, or through the Cavern City Air Terminal.

Carlsbad has marked its name in the international scene with the discovery of the "Bat Cave" in 1901 that led to the establishment of the "Carlsbad Caverns National Park" on May 1930. The city is also famous for its relaxing environment and the set of activities that can be done.

Here, you can go hiking, golfing, choose from many river activities and lots of other activities under the sun. Other interesting places to visit aside from the Carlsbad Caverns National Park include the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, National Cave and Karst Research Center, The Cascades of Carlsbad, and Lincoln National Forest.

ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES IN CARLSBAD

The main attraction that leads people to Carlsbad is the Caverns National Park. Containing over 94 known caves, including the Lechuguilla Cave (the country's deepest and third longest limestone cave), the Carlsbad Cavern is considered as one of the world's largest and greatest underground chambers that houses countless formations of limestone formed when sulfuric acid are dissolved in the cave.

Having the Caverns National Park as its main attraction, cave tours are offered almost everywhere. If you plan to visit the cave, you are required to tour the main section of the cave called the "Big Room" self-guided tour.  There are many types of guided tours of the caverns to choose from, all of varying difficulties.  You can take a tour that will be nice and easy and let you see many cave formations, or you can opt for a tour where you can go through small openings, down ladders, and see formations that are not as easily accessible.

Aside from a tour at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, other attractions perfect for the family include:  

1. A visit to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park. Here, you can overlook the beautiful Pecos River Valley. This amazing park also showcases various plants and animals living in the Chihuahuan Desert region. If you plan to go here, you can observe caged animals such as snakes, lizards and birds of prey as well as larger animals like bison and antelope held in pens. You and your family members will also enjoy walking along a nature trail past cacti, agaves, yuccas, and other native plant life.

2. Crawl through the narrow passageways in the Hall of the White Giant or in Spider Cave. You can also hike and go backcountry camping while watching the astonishing migration of Mexican free-tail bats out of Carlsbad Cavern during dusk in summer time.

3. Enjoy the beauty of the Pecos River Flume. This artificial channel is quite popular because it can cross itself from the water of Lake Avalon to other dry areas. Before a flood destroyed it in 1902, the Flume was originally made of wood. Now, it stands as a concrete waterway perfect for sight seeing.

4. Play golf at the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course. Golfers and golfers at heart can really enjoy staying and playing here because they can choose to tee off at the nine-hole par 3 courses that run along the Pecos River.

5. Visit the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center. There are many historic art museums in Carlsbad but the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center is the most popular because it tells the history of the city itself.

6. Trek the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This park is located 35 miles southwest of Carlsbad Caverns. Considered as a hidden jewel of the National Park system, the sight from the top of Guadalupe Peak will take your breath away.

7. Enjoy the dessert life at the Living Desert State Park. Located at the northeast edge of the Carlsbad City, this park is a great site to be exposed about life and living in the Chihuahuan Desert. It has a 3-mile paved trail that provides opportunities to visitors to see various desert plants and animals in their natural habitat.

8. Indulge in various water sports. The beautiful Pecos River that runs directly through the city of Carlsbad provides a great venue to a lot of recreational options and sports. Here, you can ride bumper boats and paddle boats, take a river walk, go fishing, swim, or set up a picnic and watch all of the activities around you.

There are many exciting activities that you can do in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  If you are looking for a fun and entertaining vacation, this can be just the place.