America's Most Beautiful Landmarks

NPS Photo by Peter Jones

Carlsbad Cavern, Carlsbad Cavern National Park, NM

Beneath the desert landscape of the Guadalupe Mountains in southeastern New Mexico are more than 100 limestone caves formed by sulfuric acid over the past few millennia. The most famous is Carlsbad Cavern, a geological wonder whose massive subterranean chambers reveal beautiful formations, including stalactites and stalagmites that hang from the ceiling and grow from the cave floor.

How to See It: Take your time to explore on a self-guided tour; be sure to look for the large colony of cave swallows that reside near the cave’s entrance.

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America's Most Beautiful Landmarks

Carlsbad Cavern, Carlsbad Cavern National Park, NM

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