Carlsbad Caverns National Park, home to one of the world’s most prominent caverns, is celebrating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary with week-long events August 21-26. As part of the centennial celebration, the park will also offer free admission August 25-28.
“We are very excited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service,” said Doug Neighbor, Superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. “We are looking forward to sharing this exciting time with visitors with activities and programs to commemorate this special occasion.”
As part of the Centennial celebration, the park will offer a variety of programs:
August 18 – Ranger-led wilderness hike into Yucca Canyon at sunset and a full-moon hike with star gazing. Visitors are encouraged to sign up at the park’s visitor center the morning of the hikes as space is limited.
August 21-27 – Throughout the week of the centennial, visitors will have the opportunity to share morning coffee with rangers to learn more about the caverns and the park, local wildlife, how the park is managed and more.
August 24 & 26 – At 6 p.m. there will be a vertical ropes demonstration. The demonstration will showcase cave climbing and rope techniques by expert climbers held in the cave’s Natural Entrance.
August 25 – An enlightening program by cave specialist, Rod Horrocks, about Lechuguilla Cave, a cave only open for scientific research. Over 136 miles of passages have mapped in Lechuguilla Cave, making it among the longest caves in the world. An afternoon program about how parks are funded will feature Paul Cox, Carlsbad Caverns’ fee manager.
Experience the Bat Flight at the outdoor amphitheater nightly at 7 p.m. Reservations are not required and the program is free. For more information on the Bat Flight Program, 575-785-3012.
The visitor center’s summer hours are 8 am to 7 pm (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and 8 am to 5 pm the rest of the year. For more information Centennial events, park regulations, visitation or park tours, call 575-785-2232 or visit www.nps.gov/cave.
(News release from the National Park Service)
