Located in the Chihuahuan Desert in Southeastern New Mexico west of the Pecos River, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is outstanding in its profusion, diversity and beauty of mineral formations that occur in a network of more than 80 limestone caves. The Lechuguilla Cave, in particular, constitutes an underground laboratory where geological processes can be studied in a virtually intact setting.
The park was established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef. The park contains 83 separate caves, including the nation's deepest - 1,597 feet - and third longest. Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless formations, is also highly accessible, with a variety of tours offered year-round. Established first as a National Monument on October 25,1923, it was made a National Park on May 14, 1930.
The inclusion of Carlsbad Caverns on the World Heritage List was based on the following criteria: it is an outstanding example of significant geological processes, and it contains superlative natural phenomena, formations, and areas of exceptional natural beauty. (Inscribed in 1995)
Last Modified: Fri, Sep 11 1998 04:25:50 pm EDT