National Parks
Important Places Protected and Preserved for All of Us
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Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns are in New Mexico. This park is in part of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is near the Guadalupe Mountains. There are 83 different caves. One cave is called Carlsbad Cavern. The park gets its name from this cave.
About 250 million years ago, a shallow sea was there The sea evaporated and left mountains. Water dripping into these mountains carved out the caves.
Carlsbad Caverns was named a Monument in 1923 and a National Park in 1930. Now there is a Visitor Center. Now there is an elevator to take people to see the caverns. They go down 755 feet. Now they have electric lights. Now there is a cafeteria and a gift shop. There are campgrounds and picnic tables.
In the desert there are plants like yucca. You can see the road that goes through the desert.
As you get closer to the park, a road sign tells you where to go.
At the Visitor Center, you can get information and maps.
The Park Service has mad a trail that goes down into the caverns.
The Big Room is 775 feet under the ground. It has stalagtites, which formed from the ceiling of the cave. It has stalagmites which formed from the ground of the cave.
In the Halls of Giants section of the caves, you can see giant stalagmites. They are lit up with electric lights.
Some parts of the caverns have water. This part is called Lake of Clouds.
Cave pearls are found in shallow cave pools. They are natural. Calcite collects on small pieces of rocks.
A long time ago, people would have to stand on a bucket and get lowered down. They would crawl in the dark with a kerosene lantern. Now they can walk down a smooth path. The park service built the underground trail. bNow they have electric lights.
Here is a map of the park.