Sights To See in Carlsbad

Carlsbad Cavern

Caves

Hall of White Giants

Kings Palace

Left Hand Tunnel

Lower Cave

Slaughter Canyon cave

Spider Cave

Cave Formations

Natural Entrance

Devils Den

Witches Finger

Iceberg 

Green Lake Room

Queens Chamber

Papoose Room

Boneyard

Rest Area and Lunchroom

Jim White Tunnel

Giant Dome

Twin Domes

Painted Grotto

Rock of Ages

Crystal Spring Dome

Temple of the Sun

Caveman Junction

Totem Pole

Top of the Cross

Mirror Lake

Bottomless Pit

Lechuguilla Cave

The Chandelier Ballroom

The Chandelier Ballroom is named for the fabulously glittering white crystals of gypsum that hang down from the ceiling. These gypsum crystals are also known as alabaster, which is a word people sometimes use to mean a brilliant shade of white. As gypsum is a very soft mineral, these "crystal chandeliers" could be damaged very easily by human touch. The National Park Service understands the overwhelming urge to touch and feel these beautiful crystals, so that's why they've made these caves off-limits to the general public. 

The Pearlsian Gulf

This room is called the Pearlsian Gulf because of all the "cave pearls" (http://www.extremescience.com/CavePearls.htm) located in the pools of water. These formations are called cave pearls for a good reason. Not only because they look like pearls, but because they were created in much the same way oysters create real pearls. Oysters deposit a mucus-like substance around a grain of sand that gets into their shell, which hardens into a layer of pearl. Over time, these hardened layers build up to form a pearl.

In the case of the cave pearls, as water dripped from the ceiling and splashed into a puddle, tiny amounts of calcium dissolved in the puddle water slowly built up around small fragments of rock. Over a long period of time, the accumulated layers of calcium created these smooth, round pearls.

It's amazing how water, rich with minerals, dripping from the ceiling of this deep cave, could create so many incredibly different and varied forms of crystals. Many of the crystal formations in this cave would not be possible anywhere else because the conditions down here are just perfect for this crystal nursery.

Scenic Drive

The 9.5 mile Walnut Canyon Desert Drive is a gravel, one-way loop through dramatic desert mountain scenery. Passenger cars can travel the road easily, but the narrow, twisting route is not recommended for trailers or motor homes. A guide booklet is available at the visitor center.

Nature Trail

This one mile paved partially accessible trail begins at the visitor center and highlights desert plants.

Rattlesnake Springs

This historic oasis is the source of the park's water and includes a picnic area, shade trees, restrooms and excellent bird watching. Day use only.